Building and Maintaining Capacity

Abstract

Over the past decade, vocational opportunities for individuals with severe disabilities have expanded as a result of supported employment. Concurrent with the initiation of supported employment was the need to prepare professionals skilled in the delivery of supported employment services across a range of agencies. In order to ensure that professionals responsible for providing supported employment services demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes, new and revised graduate training programs and in-service training and technical assistance mechanisms emerged. This article describes the development and implementation of a statewide system of professional development designed and maintained through the collaborative efforts of state and community agencies and the University of Vermont for the purpose of facilitating systems change.