Employment First Massachusetts

The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) and the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) are offering up to 25 employment support professionals from DDS provider agencies the chance to earn a free ACRE certificate through the College of Employment Services for Independent Learners (CESIL). This training is only available to DDS provider agency staff and provides an Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certificate, a valuable credential in the field of employment services.

This comprehensive 40‑hour online course begins with a live kickoff webinar on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 9am ET and runs through July 31, 2026. Participants will gain knowledge of best practices and apply their skills through field‑based assignments.

This course is offered online and accessible 24/7, providing flexibility for staff to engage at times that best fit their schedules. The training format includes video presentations, knowledge checks, discussion forums, case studies, and assignments, along with handouts, worksheets, and templates to support day‑to‑day work. All presentations are captioned, transcripts are available, and instructors will provide guidance throughout the course.

Please note: Registration should only be completed by individuals who intend to participate fully and have the availability to complete the required 40 hours of training.

This all-day event will connect career seekers with disabilities, parent advocates, & workforce development professionals for a day focused on building the individual skills & collaborations required to create a truly inclusive workforce here in Massachusetts.

Keynote Speakers: John and Mark Cronin of John’s Crazy Socks

In addition, compelling training/professional development:

• by people with disabilities for career seekers with disabilities
• by parent advocates for parent advocates
• by workforce professionals for workforce professionals

In this webinar, parents Jenn Corsino and Nora Parkes will share their experiences using LifeCourse tools, such as the Integrated Star and the Respite Star, to help with real-world planning for their children at different life stages. See the tools in action from two parents’ perspectives and learn how they can improve outcomes for your loved one with a disability.

Presenters: Jenn Corsino is a mentor for the Family Leadership Series, a certified CTLC Ambassador, and a SEPAC board member in her town. Jenn will share how the LifeCourse tools have helped her incorporate respite and self-care planning for caregiving for her 9-year-old son, Lucas.

Nora Parkes has been using LifeCourse tools for more than five years and will give examples of how they helped make her 22-year-old son Donald’s vision for a good life attainable by breaking skills and goals into smaller pieces to support his overall plan.

LifeCourse in Action webinars are presented in English on Zoom with live, simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Please let us know if you have any disability access or language access needs to attend this webinar.

Developing job opportunities and finding the right job match in an ever-changing economic environment places increasing demands on employment professionals.

This 3-session online training series focuses on understanding employer needs and developing quality job matches.

In this training, you will learn about:

• employer networking
• marketing to employers and responding to objections
• using social media and other tools to market the job seeker
• identifying unmet business needs
• dealing with disclosure
• job carving and creation

You must attend all three sessions to receive a letter of completion.

Join us for a Community-Based Day Services (CBDS) Lunch and Learn. We will break down what it means to individualize CBDS supports, explore person-centered practices, and highlight innovative strategies you can take back to your programs. We will discuss:

• person-centered planning and discovery
• intentional grouping
• creative staffing
• tools and resources

This webinar is free and open to agencies that provide CBDS in Massachusetts. We welcome and encourage staff at all levels to join!