Employment First

Oregon Department of Human Services: Employment First

Oregon’s Employment First initiative is a catalyst for state agencies to work together to improve community job outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The podcasts are short discussions with various state experts, as well as policy makers, employers, people with disabilities, family members, educators, and others.

  1. 05/20/2022

    Episode 44: Compass Project – Employment / DSA / Transportation Changes

    This episode, we are discussing the Compass Project which is a developmental disabilities or ODDS System Change designed to make the system more person centered. Specifically, today we're going to talk about a few changes that are happening for the employment and day support of activities or DSA part of the system change. This will focus primarily on eXPRS and plan of care changes and this podcast will hopefully be most helpful for case management entities. This podcast and conversation is going to focus primarily on eXPRS and plan of care changes and hopefully will be most helpful for case management entity team members looking for a high level overview of what is coming. Joining me today is Gene Rada and Stephanie Ronkel, both talented subject matter experts for the Employment First and special projects team at ODDS. Download full script by clicking here. Links: The Compass Project https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Compass-Project/Pages/index.aspx

    20 min

  2. 03/08/2022

    Episode 43: Training Update

    This episode, we are discussing trainings offered for employment professionals by the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services. Joining me is Gene Rada, training coordinator and policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services. Download full script by clicking here. Links: Department Approved Trainings for CEC's https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Documents/Department-Approved%20Employment%20Service%20Provider%20Training%20Courses.pdf Employment Policy for Individuals with I/DD https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/policy.aspx Training and Technical Assistance https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/training.aspx

    18 min

  3. 02/08/2022

    Episode 42: Supported Decision Making

    Welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. Please join our host Angela Yeager as she discusses supported decision making, which is an alternative to guardianship that allows people with disabilities to make choices about their lives with support from people that they trust.  This episode Angela is joined by Allison Enriquez, a policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disability Services, and Sally Simich, education specialist for secondary transition at the Oregon Department of Education.   Download full script by clicking here. Visit the ODHS Supported Decision-Making website: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/Supported-Decision-Making/Pages/index.aspx

    25 min

  4. 12/21/2021

    Episode 41: ODDS Benefits Counseling

    Welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. Please join our host Angela Yeager as she discusses the service called Benefits Counseling, which is offered by the Office of Developmental Disability Services and the Work Incentives Network or WIN. Angela's guests this episode are Alison Enriquez, a policy analyst with the Office of Developmental Disability Services and Sheila Barker with the provider agency Edwards Center.   Download full script by clicking here. ODDS Approved Benefits Counselors:  https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Policy/ODDS-Approved-Benefits-Counselors.pdf ODDS I/DD Policy Page:  https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/EMPLOYMENT/EMPLOYMENT-FIRST/Pages/policy.aspx

    14 min

  5. 09/28/2021

    National Disability Employment Awareness Month

    Hello, and welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. I am Angela Yeager, communications officer with Employment First and the Office of Developmental Disability Services. Today, we are discussing National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which happens in October every year. I am joined by statewide Employment First coordinator, Acacia Maguire Anderson, as well as Kim Alejo for workforce and business coordinator with Vocational Rehabilitation and Morgan Rincon, business relations coordinator with the Oregon Commission for the Blind.

    14 min

  6. 08/10/2021

    How to Tell Your Employment First Success Story

    Rachel and her employment team discuss her job success at Cadence Academy Preschool in Portland. Download full script by clicking here.

    25 min

  7. 07/13/2021

    Rural Job Development

    Hi and welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. I’m Angela Yeager, communications officer with Employment First. This episode our guest is Diane Ashley, a Vocational Rehabilitation counselor in Eastern Oregon. Diane is discussing trainings she has developed for job development in rural areas. Download full script by clicking here.

    17 min

  8. 06/08/2021

    iLearn to Workday Transition

    Hi and welcome to the Oregon Employment First podcast. I’m Angela Yeager, communications officer with Employment First. This episode we are discussing the transition from iLearn Oregon to Workday Learning, happening June 16, 2021. Joining me on the show today is Steve Hastings, Organization and Employee Development Unit Manager with the Oregon Department of Human Services, Kristine Duffy, Quality Improvement Analyst, and Gene Rada, Training Coordinator and Policy Analyst with the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services. Download full script by clicking here. Links: https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/PROVIDERS-PARTNERS/Pages/iLearn-to-Workday.aspx https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/BUSINESS-SERVICES/Pages/iLearn2Workday.aspx

    15 min
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About

Oregon’s Employment First initiative is a catalyst for state agencies to work together to improve community job outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The podcasts are short discussions with various state experts, as well as policy makers, employers, people with disabilities, family members, educators, and others.

Information

  • Creator
    Oregon Department of Human Services: Employment First
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2022
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Employment First
  • Show Website
    Employment First