WOA 100: Introduction to Supported Employment, Discovery and Person-Centered Employment Planning

Washington State Registration

This course is an exciting and impactful introduction to the field of supported employment which will energize people new to the field and re-energize those already working in it. It will engage and activate your abilities to support people with disabilities to create lives of their own choosing. It will provide a full review of the values and practice of employment for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, instruction on how to perform Discovery with an employment candidate, and will familiarize you with Person-Centered Employment Planning to inform and strengthen action plans.

Learning Objectives:

Be familiar with Supported Employment history, the current state of the field, and your place in it.
Be familiar with the Discovery Process, be able to perform Discovery with an employment candidate, and be able to write a Vocational Profile as the basis for Employment Planning.
Be familiar with Person-centered Futures Employment Planning and able to use it in assisting in developing Employment Action plans.

This Course is part of the Wise Online Academy Customized ACRE-certified Employment Specialist Core Training Series. Read more about the series and ACRE certification by clicking here.

Winter Course Dates:

Orientation, January 2 - 1-2pm PT, 4-5pm ET
January 6 - 1-2:30pm PT, 4-5:30pm ET
January 9 - 1-2:30pm PT, 4-5:30pm ET
January 16 - 1-2:30pm PT, 4-5:30pm ET
January 23 - 1-2:30pm PT, 4-5:30pm ET

Virtual location

You will receive a confirmation email with a URL.

Meet the Trainers

Anthony Contreras-Sanchez, Wise, Training & TA Manager

Anthony Contreras-Sanchez first began supporting people with disabilities in 2013. He has spent time working in supported employment, housing, and local program management over that time. Anthony believes that everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from meaningful, integrated employment, while also contributing to their community. His strengths in planning and executing services help him serve as a go-to in his local community when planning services. Anthony was born and raised in Pasco, WA and continues to help the region grow opportunities for individuals with I/DD. In his free time, Anthony enjoys traveling with his husband, spending time with family, attempting to cook, spending time outdoors, and playing Pokémon.

David Murahashi, Wise, Training & TA Manager

David Murahashi has been working in the disability field since 2009 and started his career as a job coach through Wise where he found that he really enjoyed working with transition age students in the classroom and at job sites. In 2012, he graduated from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Special Education.

David has been involved in the disability community his whole life but, there are two important things that has helped shaped him. First, he has an older sister with Down syndrome who currently lives and works in the community and has taught him about what is possible. Second, he is a stroke survivor which has given him unique insights into the world of disabilities.

Despite health setbacks, David became an Independent Special Education Trainer and Consultant and has helped develop several programs designed to help people with disabilities and their families to start earlier and to prepare them for future employment and life in the community. These programs have been implemented in several counties in Washington and Oregon.

David has been involved in Person-Centered Planning since 2016 and loves to help individuals find their voice and make their hopes and dreams a reality.

In 2022, David became a Training & TA Manager for Wise and hopes to use his skills and experiences to help people in Washington and beyond. David has a strong belief that with the right support, all people have the skills, abilities and right to live, learn, work and play in THEIR community.