Employment Services Toolkit
The Employment Services Toolkit from Employment First Missouri provides person-centered tools to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find and maintain employment through career exploration, job development, and supported employment guided by each person's preferences and abilities.
Empowerment through employment
The Employment First Missouri project at the ICI at UMass Boston provides technical assistance to promote the advancement of integrated community employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Missouri.
News
Becoming an Employment First Agency
Are you a Targeted Case Management (TCM) provider interested in becoming a model agency of national best practice in person-centered & self-determined employment pathways for individuals & their supports?
The Employment First consultation provides an opportunity to assess culture & processes which facilitate change management focused on person-driven employment support coordination.
Scaling Best Practices
- Facilitated interviews, organization self-assessment, & consultation are used to evaluate current capacity
- Recommendations, technical assistance, & training to implement capacity building strategies are available at no cost
- Based on Tiered Supports Model
- Customized Strategies to Address Barriers
- Ongoing Support for Staff
Perfection Not Required, Mistakes Welcome: Rethinking Dignity of Risk in IDD Services
This topic was addressed during a session at the 2026 MACDDS conference. In case you missed this session, here are some highlights of the questions we considered:
What if we stopped waiting for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be perfectly prepared before giving them the opportunity to try something new? In employment and other areas of life, an emphasis on safety, readiness, and avoiding failure can unintentionally limit opportunities for growth. Employment First principles remind us of the importance of choice, community participation, and access to competitive integrated employment (CIE). Sometimes, the best way to build skills is not through another worksheet or simulated activity, but through real-world experiences that allow people to learn by doing. In other words, provide real experiential learning that provides the chance to blossom in real time and real life, including on the job.
Dignity of risk means supporting people to make informed choices, take measured risks, and learn from both successes and setbacks. For providers and targeted case managers, this also means reflecting on how we interpret motivation, define work readiness, and determine when someone is ready for an opportunity. When people make mistakes, are we essentially putting them in “time out” before trying again? Are our expectations helping people move forward, or unintentionally keeping them on the sidelines? How can we help families and guardians be more comfortable with the fact that success is not guaranteed and that learning from failure is worthwhile?
How can we create more space for learning, growth, and informed choice in the services we provide? Join us for an encore presentation of “Perfect Not Required, Mistakes Welcome” on January 6, 2027, from 1 to 2:30 pm CST- Register here
The Employment First Missouri team welcomes opportunities to connect with providers, targeted case managers, and other IDD professionals for training, technical assistance, and discussion on dignity of risk, employment, and other topics that strengthen person-centered services. Reach out to the team to explore how we can learn together and turn these ideas into practice.
Community of Practice Spotlight: Technology in Employment
Looking for practical ways to use technology to improve employment services and outcomes? Join the Technology in Employment Community of Practice, held on the first Thursday of each month from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Central Time.
This free learning community is open to service providers and support coordinators who want to explore how technology can support people throughout all phases of employment services. Learn how technology can address barriers to employment, enhance service delivery, and support better employment outcomes. No technology expertise is required. Whether you're just getting started or already using technology in your work, you'll find ideas, resources, and connections to support your efforts. Hosted through a collaboration between the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Employment First Missouri, and Missouri Assistive Technology, sessions feature practical tools, apps, resources, and real-world examples from professionals across Missouri. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and learn how others are using technology to strengthen employment services.
What participants are saying:
"Always great information and a wonderful way to connect on the state level."
"Great group for resources and always very informative."
To join, register here. For questions or accommodation requests, contact [email protected]
Contact Us
Contact us, request a custom or specific training, or to ask any other questions.
Contact UsFeatured Resources
Guide to Informed Choice in Employment
Informed choice is the process of choosing from options based on accurate information, knowledge, and experiences. This publication provides background and guidance on ensuring the provision of employment services and supports is reflective of informed choice.
Upcoming Trainings & Events
Select event for more information.
Denotes a EmploymentFirst Missouri event.
Denotes a EmploymentFirst Missouri event.
Empowering Lifelong Employment: Tailored Strategies for Older Workers with IDD 2.0
$Free
Webinar
This is the follow-up session to 1.0, where we will take a deeper dive into employment and retirement scenarios for older individuals with IDD. We will review key elements and concepts covered in 1.0 including ageism, ableism, and principles of Employment First. By using creative and critical thinking, along with current tools and best practices, we can gain insight into how to support older individuals to maintain full participation in the community.
Perfection Not Required, Mistakes Welcome
$Free
Webinar
Concerns about failure often hold people back in employment and community services. In this session, we will challenge the tendency to wait for perfection or “readiness” and instead recognize that mistakes are a natural part of the process. We will reframe failures as valuable opportunities for learning and growth. Key concepts include dignity of risk for both professionals and individuals, zero exclusion, and the power of true inclusion and belonging.
Best Practices in Job Coaching and Support Strategies for Success
$Free
Webinar
This training will cover the most effective strategies for staff supporting individuals in employment. Ways to foster a fruitful partnership with an employer will be reviewed such as first impressions, learning company values, and adapting methods to match the environment and needs of the individual. You will learn about the critical importance of staff supplementing, not replacing, existing natural supports, the full range of support strategies, and the importance of facilitating belonging in employment and community settings.
Waiver Employment Services Definitions and Navigating Vocational Rehabilitation
$Free
Webinar
This training breaks down waiver-funded employment services and how they intersect with Vocational Rehabilitation. We will review service definitions, clarify common areas of confusion, and examine how these systems work both independently and braided to provide more holistic, robust services and successful employment outcomes.
The Employment Exchange: Sharing Wins, Challenges, and Strategy
$Free
Webinar
Join us for a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences from across the state. Bring your favorite, most unique success story, and your toughest challenge as we share, learn, and problem-solve together. We will strengthen best practices, spark creative thinking, and explore ways to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The session will also introduce the EFFECT rubric, a first step in being recognized as an Employment First Model Agency, with practical tools you can use right away.
See all our events on our training page