Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) is for families and their young adults with developmental disabilities (14 to 22 years of age) and the professionals who support them. FEAT is a free series about school-to-employment and everything in between.
FEAT is presented by professionals with a experience with youth transition and family supports. The series includes guest presenters from state agencies and local organizations, and a panel of adults with developmental disabilities that will share their personal stories of transition and employment.
FEAT is offered two to three times a year as a four-part series. Attendees are encouraged to attend all sessions, but it is not required. Each session is a live, interactive training using Zoom. Participants are strongly encouraged to actively engage during the training series. Join our mailing list to receive training announcement by email.
The goals of this training include:
Sessions | Description |
| Session 1: Building the Dream of Employment | This session features an introduction to employment in Rhode Island and a panel of youth who are successfully employed. |
| Session 2: Planning the Transition to Employment | This session explores the roles of the family and the school (Transition IEP) in planning for employment. |
| Session 3: Possibilities for Employment | This session addresses supported and customized employment as well as outside-the-box employment possibilities. |
| Session 4: Accessing Adult Supports for Employment | This session will introduce supports from the Office of Rehabilitation Services, the Division of Developmental Disabilities and for self-employment. |
FEAT, developed at The University of Kansas Beach Center on Disability, is based on research and has been proven to be effective in meeting the goals of the training. The Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities has adapted FEAT for use in Rhode Island.
Crystal Cerullo
Family Support Specialist
This person‐centered approach to career planning, job development and retention will be held in person at the Sherlock Center. The orientation and mentor/fieldwork sessions will take place on Zoom.
Job Retention and Coaching is one of three SME mini-certificate series offered to earn an ACRE certificate. This is an in-person training series instructed by professionals with experience managing and supporting employment services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.