Clawson Public SchoolsBuilding the Bridge with Businesses – Schools and

Community

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Why the Chamber of Commerce?

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the

interests ofmore than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors,

and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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Chambers of Commerce

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2013

• Population – 12,000• 2.2 square miles• 1700 students in our schools• 596 businesses

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"The Purpose of Clawson Public Schools is to ensure optimal learning for all students."

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All means ALL!

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Times have changed!

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Educating Students with ASD (AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER)

in Clawson

• Educating 43 students with ASD • Pre-School thru High School• Serve the southeast portion of Oakland County• Many students with ASD live in our community

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Have you heard about our LINK program?

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How we grew the LINK Program

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Where is the WIN/WIN?

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Creating a new reality!

Over 250 LINK Programs in Michigan Schools Awareness – a sense of belonging for ALL Educating students about the value of INCLUSION Providing opportunities to learn alongside each other Relationships - Friendships Changing community cultures Graduating future business owners

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What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

ASD is a developmental disability that typically appears in the first 3 years of life.

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Neurological

Social

Communication

Independence

Every Community … USA

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State of Michigan Data

1519891990 19911992 19931994 19951996 1997 19981999 20002001 20022003 2004 20052006 20072008 20092010 2011 20120

2000

4000

6000

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10000

12000

14000

16000

Michigan Students with an ASD Eligibility Label

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er o

f st

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ents

1,208

15,976

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National Data• There are an estimated 750,000

students with ASD in US public schools

• Often high school transition services fall short in providing the appropriate services to prepare for employment

• Individuals with ASD have limited opportunities for career development and work experience matched to their interests during their high school years.

• Within the next 15 years, more than 500,000 Americans with ASD will enter adult hood, based on the rising incidence of the disorder

• The lifetime per capita incremental societal cost of autism per individual is estimated to be $3.2 million.

National Data

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The DATA and OUTCOMES impact us ALL

•As BUSINESS owners•As Tax payers •As Citizens

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Students with ASD• Hire the Handicapped• Charity Orientation• Selling Disability

Old marketing

• Motivatated employees who areexcited about working

• Candidates with skill sets that add value to the workforce

• Business solutions that improve productivity and work flow

New marketing

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What History tell us…

“ Part of the problem, I believe, is rooted in the fact that these well-intentioned systems, designed decades ago, were created with little expectation that Americans with disabilities would ever be anything more than be recipients of care, that they could not, in fact, become contributors to our economy, our tax base, and our communities.”

Tom Ridge, Chairman, National Organization on Disability

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Employment First State PolicyClick on picture in presentation mode to play the link. You need internet to play it.

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What is happening at the National level?

Unfinished Business: Making Employment of People with Disabilities a National Priority United States Senate: Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions July 2012 – Senator Tom Harkin

April 2011 – United States Chamber of Commerce and the United States Business Leadership Network agreed to actively participate to increase the size of the disability workforce from under 5 million to six million by 2015.

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Forward THINKING in Clawson…

• Creating real learning opportunities in real businesses• Matching individuals with employment opportunities• Supported apprenticeship experiences • 4 years of successful partnerships and growing

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School/Business Partnerships in Clawson

• Paper Party Place• Ace Hardware• Triple Thread• Leon and Lulu’s• Pizza Hut• Pet Supplies Plus• I Luv Scrapbooking

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Taking an Interest and moving in the direction of JOB SAMPLING/EMPLOYMENT

Individual has intense:INTEREST AND FASINATION withHOLIDAYS

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Taking a skill and moving in the direction of JOB SAMPLING/EMPLOYMENT

Individual has intense:SKILL ANDDEDICATION TO DETAIL

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• Dedicated to getting the job done• Eager to learn• Low absenteeism• High level of concentration for long

periods of time• Loyal

Vocational Assets of Employee’s with ASD

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Vocational Assets of Employee’s with ASD

• Can be very precise and accurate in completing work with excellent attention to detail

• Many individuals have a great memory• Often have interests that if well matched to

the job, will be a tremendous asset to an employer

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With a customized job and individualized support, individuals with ASD make excellent employees!

It’s All In the Customization

What can local businesses do?• Hire people with disabilities• Open the door to job sampling opportunities• Continued partnership with the schools• Celebrate and share success stories with others• Speak out and share what you have learned with other small business owners

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How opportunities are created…

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Thank You!