Liz Fussell
- Supported Employment Intern, 1992
- Degree: M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling, 1992
- Current position: HRD Consultant
with CDE
I moved to Tennessee and began working at UT-TIE (now called Center
on Disability and Employment) in January 1998. The transition from
New Orleans to Sevierville was a tad drastic. I remember it snowed
the first week I was here. My first job was to coordinate and oversee
a supported employment program. One of my first tasks was to train
job coaches and work with community businesses to build relationships
for future employment programs.
At the end of the four-year project, I continued to work with UT-TIE
as a resource specialist on a part-time basis while continuing my
studies in Rehabilitation Counseling Education at The University
of Tennessee. Opportunities provided by UT-TIE allowed me to complete
my internship coordinating and conducting supported employment training
and statewide trainings such as the ACES Conference. The experiences
offered by UT-TIE granted me the opportunity to share "real"
work experiences with me peers while building relationships throughout
the state for personal development. One of my favorite tasks as
a student intern was to interview individuals throughout the state
who had been successfully employed. The opportunity to see these
individuals experiencing success in the community, at home, and
a life of their own was rewarding and encouraged me to pursue full-time
employment with UT-TIE.
I graduated with a Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling
Education and a held a certification in Rehabilitation Counseling
in December 1992. I have held several positions at UT-TIE. I worked
as the Training Coordinator from 1993 to 1999. As Training Coordinator
I developed curriculum, edited a newsletter, and provided training
and technical assistance throughout the state. In 1999 I was offered
a position as Human Resource Development Consultant with the CRP-RCEP
IV grant. This position gave me the opportunity to expand my
talents in training and technical assistance as well as curriculum
development throughout the eight southeast states.
Along the way I had the opportunity to develop and expand a self-determination
project in the state, including curriculum development and expand
the program other states. Given the growth of CDE and its recent
award of Center Status within The University, I hope to continuing
learning, growing and offering my training talents at the Center
for Disability and Employment. And by the way, I’m still training
job coaches.
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