creative employment strategies wendy parent kansas university center on developmental disabilities...
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Creative EmploymentStrategies
Wendy ParentKansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities(785) [email protected]
What are Supported and Customized Employment?
Competitive Employment In Integrated Businesses
With Individualized Support
Basic idea behind both is: Knowing what the potential employee wants and
needs Knowing what the employer wants and needs Supporting or negotiating any differences between
the two
Meet Luke
Lived in an institution Spent ten years in a sheltered
workshop Worked as a grocery store
bagger and received supported employment services
Currently owns Abercrombie Arcade, a customized and supported self-employment venture
What Outcomes Can Be Achieved Using These Approaches?• Created Jobs
• Carved Jobs
• Resource Ownership
• Self-Employment
• Combination Employment
Meet Sally – Created Job
Meet Gary – Carved Job
Interested in working with kids, helping others, and writing books
Active member of the community Author of a book “My Two Good
Feet” Habersham Public Schools
expressed need and contributions Gary would make, Habersham Electric Co-op offered to fund a position with the schools
Carved job as a Special Education Aide for Habersham Public Schools
Meet Jill – Carved Job
Interested in becoming a paralegal Completed CASA Training (Court
Appointed Special Advocate) Assistive technology assessment and
purchase of communication device Member of team had a connection
with a judge Carved job with courts in judge’s
office Friend on team offered to support
education
Meet Michael – Resource Ownership
Interested in washing cars Resource ownership with small
business, All Star Detailing ITA Purchases:
Detailer Trailer
Total ITA Expenditures = $6,153 Natural Supports
Transportation provided by business owner
Co-workers provide training
Meet Mary - Resource Ownership
Brain & Spinal cord injury, attends segregated school program, has never worked.
Loves animals, enjoys writing, wants to advocate for others
Resource ownership with local MADD Chapter and Humane Society
ITA Expenditures: Communication System LCD Projector Assistive Technology Assessment,
Training, and Follow-up
TOTAL ITA Expenditures: $9,200
Meet Robert – Self-Employment Self employed in laundry business Keep It Kleen Sterilizes towels for hair salons ITA Purchases:
High-tech washer and dryer Magnetic advertising panels for
delivery Jeep Business License Jeep Repair
Total ITA expenditures - $4,200
Thanks to Nancy Brooks-Lane & Doug Crandell, Cobb County CSB, Georgia(404) 833-1684, (404) 650-4334
Meet Linda – Self Employment
Lived life in an institution, attended segregated programs;
Artist, writer, very interested in clothes and make-up;
Self-employed as a freelance artist, advocate;
Pastel & acrylic drawings, presentations; “We’re proud to have Linda’s studio in the
city of Pine Lake. She has become a part of the community both for her joyful personality and poignant artwork.” Mayor, Pine Lake, GA.
Meet Chris – Combination Employment Dream Job – Video Recording Resource Ownership/Created Job Manages Glow Bowl segment within Rose
Lane Bowling Alley ITA Purchases:
Video Systems Dance Revolution game
Total ITA Expenditures = $17,000 Outcomes
12 hours per week ½ the profits of the Glow Bowl which average
$100 - $150 per week Receives 100% of revenues from the Dance
Machine, which are being reinvested for additional machines
Meet Crystal – CombinationEmployment
Interested in books, magazines and reading Resource Ownership / Self-Employment Java Hut / Crystal’s Book Nook ITA Purchases:
Magazine Racks Books Magazines
Total ITA expenditures - $2,114 Natural Supports
Friend who manages books Coffee shop owner rings up Crystal’s sales
on his register for a small administration fee Co-workers provide assistance on the job
What is the First Step?The Employment Team Meeting• Organize
– Invite participants
– Schedule initial meeting
• Energize– Attitude of optimism; employment as the intended
outcome
– Guided by an individual’s passion; made a reality by the creative energy & resources of the group
The Employment Team Meeting (continued)
* Individualize- Employment plan translates the team’s work into
action steps with timelines, persons responsible, and expected outcomes; provides a blue print
- Leverage creative funding and support resources
* Materialize- Follow-up meeting; additional participants with
specific expertise; brainstorming and discussion; accountability- Shared contributions of the group; collaborative effort- Employment situation becomes clearer; ideas emerge- Facilitator oversees implementation of the plan
What are Some of the Advantages of this Approach?• Offers us a different way of thinking about employment • Doesn’t depend on knowing it all or solving all the
problems facing transition and employment services• Shares responsibility and builds on expertise and
contributions of all• Relies on disability, generic, and natural support resources• Taps into new and different funding sources• Leads to nontraditional, creative employment outcomes• Provides opportunities for individuals to be in the drivers
seat• Expands options, particularly to those with limited or none• By passes many of the issues impacting service delivery
systems
Meet Charles – Illustrating the Process Dream Job: Related to Music ITA Purchases:
Sound Equipment Assistive technology Computer Consultant with a music mentor
Total ITA Expenditures = $5,939 Self Employment
Anticipated monthly business costs = $75.00
Anticipated monthly revenue = $1,680 (first four months)
Supporting or Negotiating: What the Employer Wants and Needs
Charles brought a stereo and recording equipment to the owner of The Wandering Mug Coffee Shop and presented a self employment venture.
Owner offered his shop as a recording studio and did not charge a fee. Coffee Shops business increased as customers came to listen to music. The musical act got exposure and did not have to pay the costs of a
typical recording studio. The Music Man had a regular venue for recording requiring no upkeep
on his part. Charles edited and created a finished product to sell to the musical
acts It is expected that Charles will expand to record musical acts in other
local venues.
Supporting or Negotiating: What the Individual Wants and Needs
Member of team had a friend who owned a coffee shop that occasionally brought in musical entertainment
Another member knew of a professional consultant in the music industry
Received training from employer on music and audio equipment Father offered to provide job coach support and manage the business Knew acquaintance with local college student union who could link with
student musicians Friends at church willing to share music resources and recording
opportunities Employer marketed to others in the music industry Team identified leads for other business sponsors
What Strategies are Helpful to Achieve Employment Outcomes?
• Someone take the lead • Arrange initial team meeting• Individual’s passion sparks ideas• Enthusiasm fosters creativity/productivity• Assign homework • Develop a blue print• Explore and share among the team• Meet again, review, revise, and get specific
Strategies (continued)
• Establish plan with action steps, persons responsible, expected outcomes, and timelines
• Target alternative funding and support resources• Decide on business arrangement (contact specific
employers or develop a business plan)• Complete a functional assessment (Consumer Situational
Assessment Summary Form)• Conduct a job analysis• Finalize the competitive employment outcome• Make any negotiations and/or support arrangements• Put an on-going support system in place (On-Going
Support Plan)