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The leap from high school to the adult workforce is a daunting milestone for any young person. For neurodivergent youth and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the path is often much harder to navigate. They need champions, structured mentorship, and educators equipped with the right tools to guide them.
Recently, a dedicated group of these exact champions gathered in St. Louis to answer that call.
The Inaugural Institute
From May 18 to 21, Missouri hosted its first ever Insight Facilitators Institute, the cohort training to be Certified Facilitators of the Insight Career Training program. Cogrounded developed the Insight program with the University of Michigan STEP Research Lab and led the Institute. The team behind the UMSL’s Office of Inclusive Postsecondary Education (OIPE) attended this intensive, multi-day event: directors, transition coordinators, vocational specialists, and student support staff. They came to transform how they prepare their own students for the workforce.
What Educators Gained
During the training, the Missouri cohort mastered the tools needed to bridge the gap from learning to earning. Participants gained hands-on experience and valuable skills to bring back to their students, including:
- Implementing the Full Curriculum: Educators learned how to effectively deliver the fully developed, 60-session Insight Launch and Insight Ascend programs within their specific educational settings as Certified Facilitators.
- Mastering the “Big Ten” Methodology: Participants practiced the experiential learning model that uses clinically validated teaching strategies, such as video modeling, hands-on role play, and guided self reflection. This training ensured that educators can help students actively practice workplace social cues in a safe, supportive environment.
- Integrating Technology and Materials: The cohort learned how to seamlessly weave the session content, digital resources, and teaching strategies into their existing classrooms and agency programs.
- Ensuring Compliance and Building Mentorships: Attendees discovered how Insight’s structured activities fulfill federal transition planning requirements while fostering meaningful, community-based mentorships with local employers.
A Unanimous Response
The post-training survey told a clear story.
Every participant left as a satisfied or very satisfied Certified Insight Facilitator. Every participant rated the Institute a 9 or 10 out of 10 and said they would recommend it.
The written feedback went deeper. Educators valued how the Institute was taught as much as what it covered. The strongest reactions came from the hands-on moments: watching facilitators model full Insight sessions, stepping into role play, practicing the teaching themselves, and reflecting together in small groups.
“I liked how much practice and reinforcement it had. I also liked the practical information and examples,” one participant shared.
Another pointed to the facilitator: “I enjoyed how our facilitator modeled the sessions and addressed student concerns and barriers during role plays.”
Many also saw where Insight fits. They affirmed its relevance for transition-age youth with disabilities and neurodivergence, and several called it a strong complement to the programming they already run.
By the end, the cohort had moved past wondering whether Insight would work. They were already planning how to bring it home to their own students.
“Awesome training. One of the best ones I have ever been to.”
Bring Insight to Your Program
Every student deserves a champion with the right tools. Equip your IPSE program with Insight’s structured work-readiness curriculum.
Email Gary at info@insightcareertraining.org to get started.
