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.

Individualized and person-centered job planning is crucial for individuals in search of meaningful and fulfilling employment. But how can employment professionals stay organized and keep everyone working toward the job seeker’s goals? Utilizing a 30-day Job Development Action Plan is a great option.

Join us to learn:

• components of an effective plan
• when and why to implement a plan
• how to keep support teams engaged in the process

This webinar is appropriate for staff or educators who assist individuals with disabilities to find competitive employment.

Combining Work and Benefits is a self-paced online course available throughout January. It’s designed to help professionals support individuals who are considering work, returning to work, or unsure about employment due to concerns about benefits.

Through four engaging lessons, the course covers key topics, like financial well-being, federal and state benefits, work incentives, and maintaining healthcare coverage. Participants will gain practical knowledge and tools to guide informed benefits planning conversations and help people make confident decisions about working while maintaining essential supports.

Community mapping and networking are essential tools for job development and helping people build meaningful connections and engage in their communities. In this session, we will explore what community mapping is and how it supports the employment process and facilitates community life engagement in a purposeful and person-centered way.

Participants will learn practical strategies for identifying community resources, building relationships with local businesses and organizations, and using this information to support individualized goals. We will also discuss how to involve staff and the people you support in the mapping process to promote ownership, skill-building, and stronger outcomes.

This webinar is for staff working in employment and day services.