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Arizona Prepares for Customized Employment Rollout

Thursday
A collage of the Customized Employment rollout in various settings

The Arizona Office of Employment First (AZOEF) recently partnered with Arizona Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to provide in-person Customized Employment training in Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson.

VR staff from offices across the state participated in the sessions. The training focused on Understanding the Why, What, Who, and How of Customized Employment. Before attending the in-person application session, VR staff completed foundational online courses on Employment First and Arizona Customized Employment. This provided a shared foundation for applying Customized Employment concepts during the in-person session.  

Customized Employment is designed for job seekers with the most significant disabilities who need a highly individualized approach to employment. The process begins by identifying each person’s strengths, interests, support needs, and conditions for success. This information guides job development and employer engagement, including learning about the employer’s business, workplace needs, and opportunities for customization. The goal is a negotiated employment relationship that meets the needs of both the job seeker and the employer.

The in-person sessions gave VR staff time to ask questions, work through service scenarios, and connect the new service to day-to-day VR practice.

“Arizona VR continues to demonstrate its commitment to job seekers with the most significant disabilities,” said Mỹ Lê Sandaine, Customized Employment Trainer and Systems Change Liaison. “Staff came ready to learn, ask important questions, and prepare for a new way of delivering services. Their dedication reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared belief that job seekers with the most significant disabilities belong in Arizona’s workforce.”

The statewide rollout reflects the strong partnership between the Arizona Office of Employment First and Arizona VR. Both remain focused on consistent implementation, high-quality services, and expanding opportunities for job seekers with the most significant disabilities to achieve competitive integrated employment.