PA APSE Day on Employment: One Life, Many Systems

Schedule

Mon Oct 19 2026 at 10:00 am to 03:00 pm

UTC-04:00
Location

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) - Central | Harrisburg, PA

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One life, many systems: PA updates, a keynote from Dr. Drew Karhan, and a hands-on session aligning CE, SE and IPS.
About this Event

People live one life, but their services come through many systems that don't always connect. The Pennsylvania APSE Day on Employment brings together employment professionals, state leaders, advocates, and workforce partners from across Pennsylvania to advance Employment First and competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities.

Statewide Policy and Systems Updates
The day opens with updates from state leaders:

  • Office of Vocational Rehabilitation: Ryan Hyde
  • Office of Developmental Programs: Jamie Bonser and Alex Kozitzky
  • Office of Long-Term Living: Ryan Dorsey
  • PA CareerLink: Crystal Houser
  • PA Workforce Development: James Martini

Keynote: One Life, Many Systems: Aligning Supported Employment for the Future
Dr. Drew Karhan of San Diego State University's Interwork Institute brings nearly 30 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, mental health, and developmental disabilities, including leading employment programs in Pennsylvania. His keynote explores how customized employment (CE), supported employment (SE), and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) can work together across healthcare, workforce, education, vocational rehabilitation, and benefits systems, and what Medicaid, WIOA reauthorization, SSI, and ABLE accounts mean for the future.

Working Session: From Silos to Solutions: Finding the Root Causes Together
In the afternoon, Dr. Karhan leads a hands-on working session. Participants work in small cross-system groups to find the root causes of barriers that keep CE, SE, and IPS from working as well as they could, and leave with at least one action they can take right away.

Who should attend: employment specialists, job coaches and job developers, IPS and mental health employment staff, supports coordinators, vocational rehabilitation professionals, provider leaders, educators, and advocates.

CESP™ credit: 4.25 hours of CESP continuing education credit is pending approval.

Lunch: Lunch is included. Please share any dietary needs when you register.

Accommodations: Please tell us about any accommodations you need when you register, or email [email protected].


Agenda

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Registration and check-in
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome and Housekeeping
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Statewide policy and systems updates
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Keynote: One Life, Many Systems, with Dr. Drew Karhan
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch and Networking
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Working session: From Silos to Solutions, facilitated by Dr. Drew Karhan
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Action Steps and Success Stories
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Where is it happening?

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) - Central, 6340 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

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