Begin 2012 with one of our popular and informative online courses!

Supported Employment Web-based Certificate Series (Jan 30 - Apr 23, 2012) - ACRE-certified.

This online course provides an extensive overview of supported employment and how to facilitate competitive jobs for individuals with significant disabilities. Topics include:

• Federal Policy and Overview Customer Profile;
• Marketing and Job Development;
• Job-Site Support; and,
• Long Term Supports & Funding. 

Earn 3.5 CEUs or 35 CRCs upon course completion. Also, a certificate of completion will be issued to all participants who complete all course assignments. Find out more & Register

Supported Competitive Employment for Individuals with Mental Illness (Jan 30 - Apr 23, 2012) - ACRE-certified.

This online course provides an extensive overview of supported competitive employment for individuals with mental illness. Sessions will include these topics:

• Overview and Values Base;
• Building Relationships with Business;
• Establishing a Career Direction;
• Locating Work Opportunities;
• Employment Support; and,
• Funding & Other Topics.

Earn 3.5 CEUs or 35 CRCs upon course completion. Also, a certificate of completion will be issued to all participants who complete all course assignments. Find out more & Register

* ACRE Certification - The Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) awards nationally recognized Certificates of Achievement to providers of employment services to people with disabilities. This Certificate documents that the provider has satisfactorily completed a minimum of 40 hours of training or professional development provided by an ACRE-approved training resource.

Virginia Commonwealth University is a member of ACRE, and the Supported Employment Online Certificate Series and the Supported Competitive Employment for Individuals with Mental Illness online courses are both recognized training programs. Individuals who complete all of the requirements for VCU's online courses in supported employment will be eligible to receive a National Certificate in Employment Services. A list of individuals in each state who have received this certificate is available online You may learn more about ACRE by visiting http://www.acreducators.org.

Supported Employment for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (Feb 6 - Mar 5, 2012 )

Early demonstration projects back in the late 1980's and 90's paved the way for using a supported employment approach for someone who has sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI). This course will offer participants an overview of TBI and the supported employment literature suggestions on specific strategies to use to get to know the job seeker, look at possible workplace supports with an emphasis on compensatory memory strategies and some insight into ways to provide pro-active job retention services. Find out more & Register

Foundations of ASD: National Autism Online Training Series (Feb 13 - Mar 19, 2012)

Autism Spectrum Disorders are considered to be a lifelong neurological developmental disability which share many characteristics. With the number of individuals diagnosed with autism on the rise, there is a strong probability everyone will encounter someone with ASD either at work or daily life. This course will provide participants with an understanding of the primary characteristics of ASD, which include impairments in communication and social development and the presence of repetitive patterns of behavior. Secondary characteristics, including sensory processing differences and motor deficits will also be explored. The course will discuss the impact ASD has on the person as well as the family unit. The course will also provide an overview of learning styles, the history, cause, and early signs of ASD. Find out more & Register

More than ever, individuals with autism spectrum disorders are participating in the mainstream of school, work, and the community. Careful transition planning from secondary education is critical for young people with autism spectrum disorders to be successful; however, there is limited information on this topic. This course will provide the participant with an in-depth understanding of the concepts related to positive transition planning for youth with autism. The issues, challenges, and strategies that are involved with helping young people with autism participate to the fullest degree in society will be examined. Tuition: $275, Textbook: $23.07, Total: $298.07 Register Online