This fall, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will host Employment First Trainings and Information Sessions at multiple locations around the state. The goal of these events is to increase the understanding of how employment services work in Texas. Anyone who wants to learn more about increasing employment opportunities for Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can participate.
Employment First Trainings
HHSC will host a number of Employment First Trainings throughout the state between August and December. The one-day trainings will cover various employment-related topics, including:
- Texas’s Employment First policy,
- the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) settings rule,
- Social Security Administration disability benefits, and
- employment services in Medicaid waivers
Anyone interested in employment services can participate in the trainings, including:
- service providers,
- case managers,
- direct care staff,
- self-advocates, and
- family members.
The Employment First Trainings are free and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required to participate. Information about each of the 11 trainings is included below.
Houston
Thursday, Aug. 8
The Harris Center, Room 104 (First-floor auditorium)
9401 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77074
Click here to register for the Houston Employment First Training
Lubbock
Thursday, Aug. 22
MCM Elegante
801 Avenue Q
Lubbock, TX 79401
Click here to register for the Lubbock Employment First Training
El Paso
Wednesday, Aug. 28
Aloft Hotel
303 Texas Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
Click here to register for the El Paso Employment First Training
Abilene
Wednesday, Sept. 11
MCM Elegante
4250 Ridgemont Drive
Abilene, TX 79606
Click here to register for the Abilene Employment First Training
Dallas
Tuesday, Sept. 24
The Meadows Conference Center
2900 Live Oak St.
Dallas, TX 75204
Click here to register for the Dallas Employment First Training
Ft. Worth
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Hilton Garden Inn
912 Northton St.
Ft. Worth, TX 76104
Click here to register for the Ft. Worth Employment First Training
Austin
Thursday, Oct. 10
Norris Conference Center
2525 W. Anderson Lane, Suite 365
Austin, TX 78757
Click here to register for the Austin Employment First Training
Tyler
Thursday, Oct. 24
The Magnuson Hotel
3310 Troup Highway
Tyler, TX 75701
Click here to register for the Tyler Employment First Training
San Antonio
Wednesday, Nov. 6
TriPoint Center
3233 North Saint Mary’s St.
San Antonio, TX 78212
Click here to register for the San Antonio Employment First Training
McAllen
Wednesday, Nov. 20
Cambria Hotel McAllen Convention Center
701 S. Ware Road
McAllen, TX 78501
Click here to register for the McAllen Employment First Training
Corpus Christi
Wednesday, Dec. 11
Holiday Inn – DT Marina
707 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Click here to register for the Corpus Christi Employment First Training
Employment First Information Sessions
HHSC will also host Employment First Information Sessions that are designed specifically for family members and advocates. Information sessions will be held in conjunction with an Employment First Training, but not every training has a corresponding information session (there are only six information sessions). Information sessions are free and will be held from 6-8 p.m. Details about the information sessions is included below. To register, visit the Employment First Information Session Registration webpage.
Houston
Thursday, Aug. 8
The Harris Center, Room 104 (First-floor auditorium)
9401 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77074
El Paso
Wednesday, Aug. 28
Aloft Hotel
303 Texas Ave.
El Paso, TX 79901
Ft. Worth
Wednesday, Sept. 25
Hilton Garden Inn
912 Northton St.
Ft. Worth, TX 76104
Austin (Updated)
Thursday, Oct. 10
Norris Conference Center
2525 W. Anderson Lane, Suite 365
Austin, TX 78757
Tyler
Thursday, Oct. 24
The Magnuson Hotel
3310 Troup Highway
Tyler, TX 75701
San Antonio
Wednesday, Nov. 6
TriPoint Center
3233 North Saint Mary’s St.
San Antonio, TX 78212
McAllen
Wednesday, Nov. 20
Cambria Hotel McAllen Convention Center
701 S. Ware Road
McAllen, TX 78501
Map of Events
If you aren’t sure which Employment First event is closest to you, check-out the map below. The map includes both Employment First Trainings and Employment First Information Sessions.