When managers of community employment service agencies hire a new employment specialist or consultant, they face a daunting task. Training.

There's so much to teach and to learn. Whether they're promoted from within their company or are new to the field, employment specialists must be able to work well with a diverse group of job seekers and their families, they also need to be familiar with Indiana's employment service model. That includes using Discovery to help new clients find the right job or career for them. It means communicating with Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation, understanding how to complete several different forms and submit them to VR in a timely manner, promoting their clients and the agency's services to area employers, knowing how to appropriately fade their services. This list goes on. 

This month IIDC's Center on Community Living and Careers, with the support of Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation, is distributing a new onboarding curriculum for community employment managers and supervisors. "Getting Started: A Guide for Indiana Employment Specialists" is free and combines resources, tips, and how-to videos with quick links to VR forms and must-have information for new employment specialists.

CCLC offers "Getting Started" in two formats: as a PowerPoint presentation for a more visual experience and as a plain text document.