Dual Diagnosis in Employment Settings
At least one third of individuals with developmental disabilities experience co-occurring mental health conditions. In this series presentation, characteristics of dual diagnosis will be discussed along with challenges in supporting employment. Practical tips for supporting employment for people with a dual diagnosis will be discussed along with future considerations.
Presenter: Laura O’Rourke
Behavioral Bridges
Laura is the founder and Executive Director of Behavior Bridges. She has a master of science in Special Education, and is both a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Laura has spent much of her time working with individuals across the lifespan who have autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities, addressing challenging behaviors and skill building. Laura has experience in home, school, community, work, and center based settings. Individual technical assistance experience includes: job skills training, functional behavior analysis, environmental modifications and supports, proactive behavior supports, task analysis, communication training and crisis intervention. Laura’s aim is to equip individuals with the tools and strategies they need to independently identify and navigate their employment goals. Laura has had the pleasure of providing consultations, workshops, and services across the United States and internationally. She has taught graduate level courses and has been a guest lecturer for several universities. Laura currently enjoys serving as a behavior consultant, therapist, and trainer at the individual and program level across the state.
Mental Wellness Practices for Everyone
Everyone deserves tools to support their mental wellness, and in this course, we’ll dive into how mental wellness impacts every part of our lives—from how we work to how we connect with others. We’ll explore the importance of recognizing when our mental health needs attention, and how building strong habits can lead to more success and balance.
We’ll discuss what to do when someone we care about needs help beyond what we can offer. You’ll learn practical ways to connect them with the resources while offering support in a caring and compassionate way.
Finally, we’ll introduce simple, everyday practices that you can use to support mental wellness in yourself and others. By the end of the course, you’ll have a toolkit to help both yourself and those around you maintain strong mental well-being in your daily lives.
Presenter: Heather Evans
Heather Evans (she/her) is rooted in the intrinsic worth of all humans, and has had the joy and privilege of working for people with I/DD and their communities for over 20 years. She joins Wise with extensive experience in Supported Employment, from developing new SE Programs, Customized Employment, and leading teams to Legislative Advocacy, certifying direct service providers as Mental Health First Aiders and managing Organizational Development. She has provided technical assistance to organizations around Systematic Instruction, Customized Job Development, Mentoring Leaders, Mental Health First Aid, Person Centered Planning, Program Development, and several other best practices in Supported Employment. Heather is proud to have completed her Work Incentive Practitioner Credentialing Certificate from Cornell University and is excited to work with the BenefitU team.
Advocacy through Storytelling
Storytelling is an impactful way to spread awareness. People telling their stories adds depth to an issue that numbers can’t. This webinar will review storytelling as a form of advocacy, provide a way to put your story together, and share how to arrange your story for different audiences.
Presenters: Jenny Crook and Ryan Riggs
Jenny Crook (she /her)
Jenny has been in the field of employment since 2013, with roles as a job coach, employment consultant, and employment program manager. She obtained a BS in Sociology from Portland State University, with a concentration in Women’s Studies.
As a Senior Training & Technical Assistance Program Manager at Wise, Jenny trains for the Job Development and Marketing course of the WOA 100 Series, coordinates the WOA 200 Series, co-leads the Wise Webinar Series, and provides hosting support for a variety of events. As a person-centered planning facilitator, Jenny focuses on solutions when collaborating with partners in Washington and other states in the pursuit of equitable employment for all.
Nationally, Jenny served on the ACRE Board for five years, most recently in the position of Clerk. She has presented at conferences including APSE and Pac Rim on topics related to person-centered planning and customized employment best practices.
Ryan Riggs (he/him)
Born and raised in Phoenix Arizona, now located in Spokane Washington, Ryan Riggs is a passionate filmmaker and storyteller. He’s had the honor of working with many talented people throughout the years and has over a decade of experience in creative content production. From photography and graphic design to production and post production processes including animation, Ryan aims to use his creative talents to tell the story of Wise and the people Wise works with.
Voices Beyond Words: Empowering Communication for Nonspeaking Individuals
In this engaging webinar, we will explore alternative tools and technologies designed to empower individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities who are nonspeaking or have limited communication strategies in place. Participants will discover a variety of innovative strategies that enhance effective communication, foster connections, and promote understanding. We will delve into practical approaches for engaging with nonspeaking individuals, identifying their interests, strengths, and abilities, and implementing supportive tools in personal and professional settings. Join us as we break down barriers and have meaningful communication!
Presenter: Irene Cordero (she-her) MA, MC, RCC
Irene Cordero is a Costa Rican-Canadian entrepreneur, clinical counsellor, international speaker, human resources professional with over 20 years of international experience, ally for BIPOC and Latinx groups, the LGBTQ+2 community and the founder and CEO of Brave Sinergy. Her diverse background has allowed her to understand the value of creating, respecting and building inclusive spaces for everyone. She believes that there is no diversity without disability.