~ A. J. Nanayakkara ~
John’s Hopkins Health System
Employment First Stakeholder Event (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Opening With: Jim Donovan (Sun King Warriors)
Keynote: A Rally Cry for Employment for All! - Laura Owens, PhD (TransCen, Inc.)
Description: What determines whether a movement will be a “flash in the pan” or a real catalyst for long term change? For example, why did Occupy Wall Street diminish in a matter of months, while the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights Movements continue (even resulting in landmark legislation)? The success of any movement requires agitators, innovators and orchestrators. This presentation will review where we have been, where we are, where we have yet to go and how to get there. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now…This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” This is our time! We cannot be complacent, this is a time of action. We have a great opportunity before us to ensure that disability is no longer to be viewed as a barrier to employment!
Join us as we kick off the Employment Support Symposium a bit differently this year with our annual Employment First Stakeholder Event. Jim Donovan of Sun King Warriors will start us off with an energizing opener. Our opening keynote, Laura Owens, Executive Director of TransCen, will share on, “A Rally Cry for Employment For All”! Each Philadelphia Employment First Workgroup will share current outcomes and projected plans for the next year. Don’t miss this event to learn about what is happening around Employment First in Philadelphia and how you can be part of efforts to move employment forward!
10/6/2020 State of the State Panel (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
Panelists: Charlotte Brickhouse, PhD (School District of Philadelphia), Shari Brightful (Philadelphia OVR), Laura Cipriani (PA ODP), Kathy Fogel (Philadelphia OVR - BVRS), & Mary Anderson Hartley (446 Bridges)
10/7/2020 How to Tell Stories That Open Hearts and Change the World (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
Leah Lamb, Transformational Storyteller
10/8/2020 Facilitated Brainstorming & Graphic Facilitation (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Allison Smale (KenCrest Services)
10/13/2020 Building Future Leaders Panel Discussion (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
Panelists: Meghan Casey, Desmond Coates, Andrea Cosigny, Chelsea Lutts, Natasha Nunez, & Alec Weinstein (SPIN, Inc.) Facilitated by: Judy Dotzman (SPIN, Inc.)
10/14/2020 In Our Own Voice (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
Amy Federer & Shadiqua Smith-Spann
10/15/2020 ADA Legal Rights and Responsibilities for Employers, Employees and for Everyone (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Jeanne Goldberg - U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC
10/20/2020 What I Wish Employers Knew When They Hired Me (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
Sandy Ho - Lurie Institute for Disability Policy
10/21/2020 Visible vs. Invisible Disabilities - A Cross-Disability Look at Employment Disclosure (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
Panelists: Daniel Angelis (Advocate), Liz Humphrey (Advocate), Andrew Vizuete (Networks for Training and Development, Inc.)
Facilitated by: Suzanne Erb (Networks for Training and Development, Inc.)
Description: Disability disclosure has always been a hot topic for people with disabilities, whether it be on the job, in school, or just in everyday life. Join a panel of people with visible and invisible disabilities, as they share their thoughts and opinions about disability disclosure in the workplace and, possibly, beyond. The panelists will provide their own perspectives on all aspects of disability, and will share their opinions for workers with disabilities, employment professionals, and employers. There will also be time for your questions and comments.
10/22/2020 Best Practices & Collaboration in Secondary Transition (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
LaQuenta Montañez (School District of Philadelphia)
Description: Collaboration with community agency partners results in opportunities to share ideas, resources, and information to improve post-school outcomes for transition-aged students with disabilities. This overview discusses the importance of effective collaboration, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and agency involvement, and provides practical tips and resources for parents, educators, and students.
10/27/2020 Now More Than Ever: Self-Care & Wellness in the Workplace & Beyond (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
Jessica Stover (Networks for Training and Development, Inc.)
Description: "Treat your body as a temple." "It takes a village..." "It starts with me." We have heard these statements time and gain, but in these times of change and shift, our own self-care and definition of wellness has become ever more expansive and (unsurprisingly) has filtered into all aspects of life. How can we support the wellness and self-care of ourselves AND others in the workplace (and beyond)? Join this session for gentle reminders, thoughtful dialogue, and centering practices to assist in guiding our own journeys and supporting others.
10/28/2020 My Person-Centered Journey (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
Elizabeth Humphrey (Advocate)
10/29/2020 ENDNOTE: So Many Employers! Large Employers Need Your Talent (1:00 – 2:30 p.m.)
Jessica Stover (Networks for Training and Development, Inc.)
11/04/2020 Confident Communicating (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
Sean O’Grady (O'Grady Consulting)
11/10/2020 Hashtags -> Dollar $igns: Using Social Media to Grow Your Businesss
(10:00 – 11:30 a.m.) William Toms (REC Philly)
11/17/2020 Using Music as a Self-Care Strategy for Mindfulness During Challenging Times
(10:00 – 11:30 a.m.) Jim Donovan (Sun King Warriors)
11/24/2020 Transitioning to Employment: Stories of Young Adults Transitioning to Employment
(10:00 – 11:30 a.m.)
Tracy Lapreziosa (Networks for Training and Development, Inc.)
12/3/2020 Fading Gracefully: Using Systematic Instruction As a Guide (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Emily Myers & Steven Hunt, Ph.D. (Briggs Associates)
12/10/2020 Pre-Employment Transitional Services for the Juvenile Justice Population (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Jennifer Williams (Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.- YAP)
with Betty Leacraft, Dindga McCannon, and Beth Mount
Curated by: Tieshka Smith
12/03/2020 Fading Gracefully: Using Systematic Instruction As a Guide (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Emily Myers & Steven Hunt, Ph.D. (Briggs Associates)
12/10/2020 Pre-Employment Transitional Services for the Juvenile Justice Population (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Jennifer Williams (Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.- YAP)
12/17/2020 PA CareerLink® Philadelphia: What Can We Do For You? (2:00 – 3:30 p.m.)
Joe Cipolla (JEVS), Ed Drago, James Harris, & Joshua Shusterman (PA CareerLink®)
(A limited number of scholarships are available
for self-advocates and their families.)