This training focuses on addressing the disability poverty gap through the innovative Securing Employment and Economic Keys to Stability (SEEKS) research grant and benefits planning efforts in Colorado. Participants will explore the SEEKS paradigm, which challenges traditional approaches by supporting individuals to apply for disability benefits while pursuing employment. The session highlights the integration of benefits planning, employment services, and community support to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic stability and reduce poverty. Real-world examples and collaborative efforts demonstrate how these strategies are transforming lives and fostering inclusion.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the SEEKS paradigm and its approach to bridging the disability poverty gap, emphasizing concurrent support for employment and disability benefits.
• Explore the role of benefits planning in empowering individuals with disabilities, including how it alleviates fears related to benefits loss and promotes informed decision-making.