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DTSTAMP: 20260721T203755
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UID: info@vconferenceonline.com
SUMMARY:Closing General Session: Promoting Inclusion in the Workplace: A Discussion on Best Practices
PRIORITY:0
CATEGORIES:SESSION
CLASS:PUBLIC
DTSTART:20200918T145000
DTEND:20200918T160500
URL: https://event.vconferenceonline.com
DESCRIPTION:<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">KEYNOTE ADDRESS</span></strong></span></span>
<p>
	<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:16px;">People within the IPS community, both those supported and the people who provide help, may experience obstacles based on their own unique cultures, attributes, disabilities, and other social determinants. This panel is a discussion about how to most effectively support vulnerable populations from diverse backgrounds and how to become advocates within the workplace.<br />
	<strong>Learning Objectives:</strong><br />
	At the conclusion of this session, participants will:</span></span></p>
<ol>
	<li>
		<p>
			<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Increase their cultural and linguistic competency and awareness of the unique challenges vulnerable populations face within the workplace;</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
		<p>
			<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Enhance their ability to advocate and support vulnerable populations in their ability to secure and maintain competitive employment; and,&nbsp;</span></span></p>
	</li>
	<li>
		<p>
			<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:16px;">Better understand how IPS supported employment creates opportunities for inclusion in the work environment for Tennesseans living with behavioral health disorders.</span></span></p>
	</li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-size:16px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size:14px;"><strong><em>Sebby Edwards<br />
Nichole Phillips<br />
Tiffanie Whitaker</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
Every year during the annual Tennessee IPS conference, we like to recognize the amazing work that has been done throughout the year by presenting IPS Champion awards. Within our IPS community, there are a vast amount of different roles that contribute to the successes that we witness. Trophies are awarded in six different categories: Employee of the Year, Student of the Year, Employer IPS Champion, Employment Specialist IPS Champion, Team Leader IPS Champion, and VR Counselor IPS Champion. Each category represents one of the vital roles that make the IPS community such a strong one. Nominations are submitted from across the state; praising team members, service recipients, and colleagues. This is a great way to honor the dedicated and hardworking members of the IPS community. We&rsquo;re excited to announce six new Champions during this year&rsquo;s award ceremony!&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size:12px;"><strong>Employee of the Year</strong><br />
Members working in a competitive employment environment is the goal of all IPS teams and each member who has obtained employment should be celebrated. This award is given in special recognition of an employee who has demonstrated, through one or more of the following, that their employment has positively changed their life: length of employment, uniqueness of position, number of hours worked each week, whether this is their first job, noticeable change in symptoms or substance use, family members response, treatment teams response to the members excitement about the job, etc.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Student of the Year</strong><br />
We are excited to have a new category this year that aims at recognizing the amazing work that IPS students are doing across the state. This is open to students of any education type and any age. This award is given in special recognition of a student who has worked diligently towards expanding their future through education and has seen a significant influence because of this goal. Students can demonstrate how education has positively impacted their lives in various ways: enhanced leadership abilities, increased independence, overcoming adversity, championing education within their family, pursuing goals for the greater good, etc.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Employer IPS Champion</strong><br />
Our goal is always to assist our members with finding competitive, integrated employment within the community. We know that employers have the option to hire whomever they choose, and most do so for the benefit of the companies/organizations they represent. This award is given in special recognition of an employer who has demonstrated that the member(s) they hired were given an opportunity based solely on the member&rsquo;s strengths. Through their collaboration with the IPS team and the member, this employer has obtained the employee they were searching for, while also assisting the member to obtain a position in the field they were interested in. (Employers must have hired IPS member(s) on or after May 1, 2019.)<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Employment Specialist IPS Champion</strong><br />
The overall function of an Employment Specialist is to help members find and keep competitive employment that is consistent with their vocational goals. This award is given in special recognition of an Employment Specialist who has demonstrated excellence in engaging members and establishing trust within their relationships; excelling at building collaborative relationships with employers, VR, team members, and other stakeholders; and being a champion for work within their agency. (ES must be in role for at least six months).<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>Team Leader IPS Champion</strong><br />
The role of an IPS Team Leader is to not only ensure good employment outcomes for the members that their program serves, but to be a cheerleader for employment for their team and within their agency. This award is given in special recognition of an IPS Team Leader who has demonstrated excellence in hiring and training exceptional Employment Specialists, consistently works to find ways to better implement IPS within their agency, and works collaboratively with their mental health and VR counterparts. (TL must be in role for at least six months).<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong>VR Counselor IPS Champion </strong><br />
The goal of each IPS Supported Employment agency is to have seamless collaboration between the IPS team and the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. This award is given in special recognition of a VR Counselor who has created a superlative relationship with an IPS Supported Employment agency. This can be through frequent contacts for the purpose of discussion of shared members and identifying potential referrals, working collaboratively to identify the best way to support members, &ldquo;going above and beyond&rdquo;, etc.&nbsp;</span></span>
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