Current IEI Trainings
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IEI Trainings are designed for mental health, behavioral health, vocational rehabilitation service providers, and mental health consumers. They are offered throughout *southern New Jersey. A wide range of topics from basic skills to advanced practice are available each season and are taught by experienced IEI staff.
*Currently, our trainings are being offered through Zoom and are open to anyone interested.
Our trainings are split into prevocational and career services. These trainings give you the tools to facilitate preparatory activities for use with individuals or in a group setting.
There is no fee required for these trainings, however pre-registration is required. Registered participants will be notified in advance of any changes or cancellations via email or phone.
You can view the training offerings below. Offerings are updated seasonally.
Career Services Trainings:
These interactive trainings are designed for practitioners working in vocational services and other rehabilitation and behavioral health settings to improve career services outcomes. This series also includes trainings that cover topics and resources for employee and student wellness.
Currently these trainings are free to anyone, but in the future, there may be a cost to attend if you are out of the state of New Jersey.
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September 21st, 2023
10 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Virtual TrainingThis training will provide a look into accommodations and assistive technology used to improve performance in work and school. An overview of pertinent legislation and resources for assessing individual needs will be discussed. Strategies for supporting skill development for students in self-advocacy and disclosure will be reviewed, including an overview of common accommodations for students in post-secondary education.
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September 26th, 2023
2 PM – 3 PM EST
Virtual TrainingMental Health crises significantly impact a person’s employment. Mental health crises include an increase in symptoms, feeling extremely overwhelmed, loss of productivity, increased absenteeism, and being not able to work or perform at work. This training will explore situations that lead or contribute to a crisis and discuss warning signs of a mental health crisis. Finally, the training will focus on developing a crisis plan, using the SAMHSA Action Planning for Prevention and Recovery tool that helps to identify 1) how the person feels when well, 2) symptoms, 3) supporters, 4) health care providers, and medications, 5) treatment, 6) planning for care treatment, 7) treatment options, 8) what the person needs from others, and 9) recognizing recovery.
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September 27th, 2023
2 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Virtual TrainingUnfortunately, individuals with PTSD and additional mental health conditions have been observed to have worse employment outcomes, lower rates of competitive work, fewer hours worked, and fewer wages earned than those without PTSD. Employers also observe increased rates of employee absenteeism, decreased work performance, and decreased productivity in relation to employees with PTSD. The impact of trauma on employment goals can be profound and is often left unaddressed. This session will review common trauma responses and how to implement Trauma Informed Care (TIC) in career services.
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10/4 – Part 1
10/11 – Part 2
All parts run from 10 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Virtual TrainingThis two-part training addresses Motivational Interviewing (MI) in career services settings. Specifically, this training will include an overview of MI and the stages of change model as well as demonstration and practice of skills and strategies to implement MI in your work. We will also review different approaches to match your interventions to job seekers’ stage of change. This training series will be informational and interactive with particular attention paid to practicing MI skills in the second session.
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October 5th, 2023
10 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Virtual TrainingIn this session we will dive into Peggy Swarbrick’s 8-Dimensions of Wellness model, as adopted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), with a focus on how the attainment of vocational and educational goals impacts each of the 8 dimensions. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of the holistic 8-Dimensions model and will be provided with resources to support the wellness of job seekers and students.
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10/12: Part 1
10/19: Part 2
All parts run from 10 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Virtual TrainingProviding on the job support, such as job coaching, may be necessary for some job seekers to be successful on the job. At times, Employment Specialists may express concern and uncertainty with how to best provide these supports in the most respectful and least intrusive way. This webinar provides tips and resources on how to effectively provide on-site supports and job coaching while also encouraging the use of natural supports, such as co-workers and others on the job.
Part 2: This session offers the opportunity for attendees to apply the strategies and techniques learned in the first session. Additional resources will be provided for further development of this skill.
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October 18th, 2023
10 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Virtual TrainingCompleting a postsecondary education program is hard work, especially for students managing chronic health conditions. This synchronous webinar focuses on equipping direct service staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively provide support and education coaching to postsecondary students with mental health conditions. The training aims to enhance participants’ understanding of the unique needs and experiences of students with mental health conditions, while also offering practical strategies and techniques to build support for wellness and educational goals.
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October 25th, 2023
10 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Virtual TrainingAre you struggling with job development activities? Do you not know where to begin when it comes to identifying and approaching employers? This highly interactive workshop will explore the basics of job development—-creating effective marketing materials, introducing your employment services in a businesslike manner, and contacting potential employers. Attendees will have the opportunity to practice, practice, practice job development techniques and learn from experienced job developers what it takes to “sell” your employment services. Attendees should bring with them any marketing materials they have, including business cards, brochures, and fact sheets.
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10/26: Part 1
11/2: Part 2
All parts run from 10 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Virtual TrainingHow do you provide job coaching support outside of a person’s job site? In this two-part session, we will explore this question through interactive discussion, skill building and scenario-based application. Attendees will gain knowledge and skills to promote individuals’ success and satisfaction on the job from behind the scenes.
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11/1: Part 1
11/8: Part 2
11/15: Part 3 (Procrastination)
All parts run from 10 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Virtual TrainingMeeting documentation requirements and agency needs, while still providing high quality employment and education services is a challenge many career service providers face. One key skill for providing effective career services is time management. This three-part series will focus on identifying tools for effective time management, specifically as related to the current demands of balancing in person and remote service provision.
Part one will provide an overview of optimal time management strategies.
Parts two and three will review tools for effective planning and prioritization of tasks and how to recognize and manage procrastination. -
November 9th, 2023
10 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Virtual TrainingFinancial wellness has a tremendous impact on overall quality of life. In this session, we will explore the domain of financial wellness (one of the eight dimensions in Peggy Swarbrick’s 8D Wellness model, adopted by SAMHSA). For many individuals, increasing financial wellbeing goes hand-in-hand with attaining desired roles as a worker or a student. This session will explore the impact of financial wellness on all other wellness domains and will provide tools and resources useful for building skills in financial wellness.
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December 5th, 2023
10 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Virtual TrainingThe creator of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program, Jon Kabat-Zinn, defines mindfulness as: “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally”. In this session, we will explore mindfulness as a practice, with a focus on the utilization of mindfulness techniques and strategies in our work to support. Skills in mindfulness practice will be explored, with discussion of the impact of mindfulness in our work supporting the vocational and educational goals of individuals living with mental health conditions.
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12/6: Part 1
12/13: Part 2
All parts run from 10 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Virtual TrainingIn these sessions, we will explore the supervisor’s role in developing vocational staff’s competencies when working with job seekers within BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. Supervisors will learn how to build a social justice supervisory lens that supports the integration of cultural humility in staff service provision.
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December 12th, 2023
2 PM – 3:00 PM EST
Virtual TrainingSupporting individuals participating in services in career services requires various community resources to support them in achieving and maintaining their desired employment goals. This webinar will provide an overview of what types of community supports are available, where to assist individuals participating in services in locating the needed resource support and facilitate support in building supports such as through networking. Trainees will be provided with a blank template that includes a variety of the types of key resources to support individuals in their job search.
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Prevocational Services Professional Development:
This series is designed for NJ practitioners working in supported employment, supported education, vocational services, partial care/partial hospitalization, and other behavioral health and rehabilitation settings. The focus is on preparatory activities designed for use with individuals or in group settings. The series starts in the Fall and continues through the Spring of each year.
Completion of all modules in the Prevocational Series will result in a Certificate of Completion, which is required for mental health agencies by The Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS) and Medicaid.
NOTE: The Pre-Voc trainings are for New Jersey providers ONLY. Please do not register for these if you are from out of state. If you have questions, email us: iei@shp.rutgers.edu
Registration for the Pre-Voc Series Group is CLOSED.
NOTE: ONLY register for this series if you are a NJ practitioner!
This is a 12 session series from September to April. You will receive a certificate of completion when you complete all 12 sessions. This certificate is required for mental health agencies in NJ to ensure staff competency.
Registration for the next cohort will open up in Fall 2024.
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September 5th, 2023
10 AM – 11 AM EST
Virtual TrainingAttendees will examine the importance of recovery, explore the relationship of work and recovery, and identify empowerment strategies that promote work and careers. Additionally, attendees will learn information to counter common myths about work and mental illness and describe the benefits and barriers of returning to work.
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All sessions from 10 AM – 11 AM EST
Virtual Training
The S1 communication series is inclusive of skills that are essential to know for the remainder of the series; it’s important for attendees not to miss a part.9/12: Part 1 – Relationship Building & Engagement
9/19: Part 2 – Active Listening & Reflecting
9/26: Part 3 – Readiness Development
10/3: Part 4 – Putting it all Together; Skills Application
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October 10th, 2023
10 AM – 11 AM EST
Virtual TrainingThis session focuses on assisting job seekers with developing career goals and objectives. We’ll review the importance of developing goals that are consistent with job seekers’ interests, preferences, and career-related values as well as identifying the elements of SMART goals. Additionally, we’ll practice developing SMART goals. Please come prepared with a goal in mind, either your own or a job seeker’s, so that we can apply SMART goal planning during the call. We will also review strategies to include consumers as an integral part of identifying the information that should be included in the overall recovery and career goal planning.
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All sessions from 10 AM – 11 AM EST
Virtual Training10/17: Part 1
10/24: Part 2This two-part (12 hour) session will explore employment development from a career-oriented perspective in order to assist people in achieving productive job matches. It will include approaches to facilitate the process for people who are determining their values, interests, preferences, and in increasing their knowledge of the work world.
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All sessions from 10 AM – 11 AM EST
Virtual Training10/31: Part 1
11/7: Part 2These workshops will look at supports from two perspectives. First, participants will learn why family members are invaluable resources and how they can engage family members through the vocational process. Second, you will learn about community resources that are available to assist people with mental illness overcome barriers to work.
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All sessions from 10 AM – 11 AM EST
Virtual Training11/14: Part 1
11/21: Part 2Explore employment for persons who experience both a mental illness and substance use disorders. These sessions will review the impact of alcohol and drugs on psychosocial functioning. Strategies for working with individuals with co-occurring disorders who are seeking employment will be reviewed.
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If you are unable to attend our regular training series due to work conflicts, we offer the following options:
- Joining Your Team Meetings: Our trainers can join team meetings at your organization and present on a scheduled topic.
- Monthly Professional Development Seminar: These can be scheduled monthly or as-needed. You have the option to choose one of our offered topics or work with IEI to create something custom for your organization.
- Lunch & Learn: Get some skill and professional development in during your lunch hour. For more information on any of these options, email us at iei@shp.rutgers.edu