Get To Know COEF
COEF is about changing perspectives on what it means to work, de-mystifying the process, promoting barrier-reducing policies and practices, highlighting innovative technologies, and helping employment providers implement the most effective service delivery strategies.
Collaboration
We believe we are stronger together. We work together with our partners to promote work as part of a financially secure, healthy, and fulfilled life.
Systems Innovation
Convening to improve policies, remove barriers, bust myths, and promote technology. We strive to stay curious and creative about transforming systems and service delivery strategies.
Training Excellence
We believe the professionalization of our field is integral to advancing Employment First. We offer training and learning opportunities that equip professionals to provide high quality services.
COEF Community Contributions
A core pillar of our work is collaboration. We value the opportunity to serve our field and communities through board participation and community of practice contributions. Learn more about how we get involved!
National APSE
Colorado APSE
NABWIS
ACRE
EF Leaders
National APSE
The National Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national organization with an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for people with disabilities.
Vision: All people with disabilities have access to competitive, inclusive employment in the general workforce.
Mission: To advance employment equity for people with disabilities.
Website: www.apse.org
Contributions:
- Vikki Ortiz serves as Vice President and Board Development Committee Chair
Colorado APSE
The National Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE) is the only national organization with an exclusive focus on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for people with disabilities. Colorado APSE is committed to advancing Employment First and believes that employment is for everyone.
Vision: All people with disabilities have access to competitive, inclusive employment in the general workforce.
Mission: To advance employment equity for people with disabilities.
Website: www.coloradoapse.org
Contributions:
- Vikki Ortiz serves as a Board Member and Policy Liaison
- Tiffany Cron serves as the Vice President
NABWIS
The National Association of Benefits and Work Incentive Specialists (NABWIS) is comprised of the many and varied professionals providing assistance to individuals who receive disability benefits and are considering work.
Website: www.nabwis.org
Contributions:
- Melanie Honsbruch serves on the Board
- Vikki Ortiz is a Website Specialist/Developer
ACRE
The Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) is a national membership organization and Community of Practice (CoP) for trainers in the field of employment services for people with disabilities.
ACRE does the following:
- Promotes competency-based training for employment service professionals. This facilitates the provision of high- quality employment services to individuals with disabilities.
- Provides a curriculum certification review process for community employment provider organzations.
- Maintains sets of competencies for employment staff and evaluates curricula against those competencies.
- Identifies emerging needs in the field of employment services, which informs the need to update competency lists.
- Maintains a registry of names of professionals who complete any ACRE-approved competency-based training.
- Helps individuals and organizations with training needs to find competency-based training.
Website: www.acreducators.org/about-us.html
Contributions:
- Brian Dean serves on the Board and in the role of Treasurer
- Vikki Ortiz and Vanessa Lehman provide Communications and Administrative support.
EF Leaders
The Employment First Leaders Community of Practice are graduates of the National APSE Emerging Leaders Program. Each member of this network has demonstrated a commitment to the expansion of the Employment First movement and the evolution of the Supported Employment field. In addition to cultivating leadership capacity, they draw upon members’ diverse range of expertise to offer professional development, speaking opportunities, and consultation services. Their mission is to cultivate a reality of meaningful employment for all career seekers by elevating the Supported Employment field, equipping Employment Support Professionals to deliver the highest quality services, and emboldening employers to welcome people with disabilities to the workforce.
Contributions:
- Tiffany Cron, Vikki Ortiz, and Vanessa Lehman are participants.
How did COEF begin?
The Colorado Employment First Advisory Partnership (EFAP), no known as the Employment For All Partnership, recommended an office be formed to coordinate Employment First efforts for the state, to promote competitive integrated employment, and to be a training hub for service providers, job seekers and their families, as well as employers. An appropriation was approved in 2019 by the Joint Budget Committee of the Colorado Legislature and these funds were matched with Federal dollars by the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
2019-2020
COEF is Born
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The initial budget appropriation begins on July 1.
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An extensive search commenced to appoint key leadership of COEF.
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Our Director position was filled in November.
2020-2021
Training & Resource Development
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The COEF team is selected!
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We needed to pivot quickly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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We focused on webinars for training and information delivery.
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We starting developing resources for professionals.
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We started building our brand through marketing and communications.
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We developed a series of youth and family brochures.
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We launched our COEF Website.
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We release the inaugural edition of the COEF Newsletter.
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We began providing Individual Placement & Support Training.
2021-2022
Training & Capacity Building
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Disability Benefits 101 (CO.DB101.ORG) was launched.
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We published a paper through the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
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COEF sponsored a Colorado Emerging Leaders cohort.
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We hosted the inaugural CO Employment First Conference.
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Collaborated on Rate Setting and Rate Methodology Study.
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We launched our Learning Management System (LMS).
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Focused on curriculum development to support Employment Professionals.
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Benefits Counseling training boosted capacity of professionals.
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We launched ACRE Supported Employment Training.
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COEF Co-Sponsored the National APSE Conference in Denver.
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We facilitated the Day and Employment Services Outcomes System (DESOS) Pilot.
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Our initial budget appropriation ended on June 30.
2022-2023
Collaboration, Partnership, & Sustainability
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We refocused on the the sustainability of our office.
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We expanded our collaborative partnerships.
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We hosted a Colorado Employment First Summit and Resource Fair.
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ACRE Customized Employment Training was launched.
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Workplace Supports and Instruction Strategies Training launched to help professionals dive deeper into on-the-job support.
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We launched a Youth & Families Training call A Brighter Future: Navigating the World of Disability and Employment.
