This session shows you the journey Tucker Collins took to find his dream job as a photographer. We will look at his emerging business and current work as a photographer for the Worcester Red Sox. In addition, we’ll talk about the steps you can take with your program participants to help them discover what they want and map a plan to get there.

Paula Collins is the Assistant Vice President of Employment at WORK Inc. She manages a team in North Central Ma who support people with challenges to work. Her team works with MRC, DDS, and DTA as well as 9 area high schools to create programming to improve workplace skills. Paula has presented on multiple topics within disability rights, work supports and DEI on both the local and national levels. She holds her CESP certification as well as the Marc Gold and Associates Customized Employment certification and is a Fitchburg State Leadership Institute graduate. Paula has also assisted in the design and implementation of the Fitchburg Disability Steward program which trains residents for leadership roles in the community. She is an active board member of Stepping Stone Community Theater and MA APSE as well as a member of the DDS Statewide Quality Council. In her spare time, she can be found on Lake Quinsigamond or at Polar Park. 

Emily Harris has had the good fortune to be affiliated with people with disabilities throughout her life. She brings over 15 + years’ experience connected to equitable employment in various capacities as an Employment Consultant, Positive Behavior Support Consultant, Trainer, and Consultant with individuals, families, and Employment Agencies in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Emily also has international consulting experience working with employment agencies across New Zealand. Emily is committed to the concept of inclusion and full participation and knows that employment is critical to equity. She holds a BS in Arts and Letters with a focus in Women Studies and English, is a Certified Employment Professional through APSE, and currently serves on the National APSE Employment Support Professional Certification Council (ESPCC). Emily is a trainer and trained in the process of Person-Centered Planning, Discovery, and Customized Employment. Emily currently manages the Wise Online Academy 100 series, an international training series that supports over 250 students annually to learn the fundamentals of supporting people to get into the workforce.  Emily is a natural networker and believes that being connected in your community is vital to the success of connecting people with sustainable employment. 

Join us as we tour www.BenefitU.org, a free, user-friendly platform designed to help beneficiaries, families, and service providers navigate Social Security benefits and employment. We’ll introduce you to the brand-new client portal, where users can make SSI calculations, track wages, and explore work incentives that help people maximize their potential.

Learn how BenefitU can help simplify the impact of employment on cash and medical benefits, while providing tools to make confident decisions. We’ll cover practical features that can empower users to successfully thrive with less fear and uncertainty. Don’t miss out on discovering how BenefitU can be a valuable part of your toolkit!

Dan Rutten is a Sr. TA and Training Manager at Wise and project lead for BenefitU, a service that helps people navigate Social Security benefits. As a Certified Benefits planner, he’s passionate about showing how benefits and work can go together just as well as peanut butter and jelly, as long as you know the rules.