Are We Prepared for the Wave of Retirements

Are We Prepared for the Wave of Retirements? : Professional Development to Sustain Community Integrated Employment Karen Flippo Sheila Fesko Institute for Community Inclusion

Agenda • Need for professional development – Changing demographics – Changing accreditation and certification requirements – Training options • Just in time options • Leadership certificate program

Leadership Needs in Rehabilitation • 50% of state VR counselors in New England will retire in the next 5 years • 10, 000 people in the US turn 65 every day.

• Who are the senior people in your state/agency? – When are they likely to retire? – Are there people who are prepared/trained to replace them? – How will you staff up junior staff when people move up?

• What do senior people moving into leadership need to know? • What are you doing to develop the staff you have? • What are you doing to prepare and retain your junior staff?

2017 CESP Exams Scheduled to Date 54% of States are offering exams

Levels of Training Need • Introduction to Field • Professionalization of Field – Business relationships – Customized Employment Skills • Development of Future Leaders

Professional Development Plan included in Performance Evaluation?

Just in time learning

College of Employment Services • Online training content • Assign lessons based on learners need • Content built on APSE competencies • ACRE Supplement

CES video

Curriculum • Retention Rates – North Carolina pilot –turnover rate dropped from 42% to 8% in demo sites – Rochester NY—retention went from 66% to 94%. Savings from retaining staff $175, 000

Leadership Certificate Program • Executive and Mid-Level Leadership Development

Leadership Succession • Developing a new generation of leadership for disability services • Adapted from established leadership and management certificate programs

Leadership and Management • Tailored for IDD executive and mid level leadership • Designed with input from DD provider community

Course Topics

Course Topics • Self understanding: self assessment • Develop clarity of personal values, purpose and vision • Develop and execute a personal strategy

What We Learned • Managers were not trained to take on leadership positions • Applied learning design allowed for knowledge & skill acquisition

• Attention needed to build capacity at all levels of the organization • Employment organizations require highly qualified service and management staff