KEYS TO HELP YOUR TEEN GET A FIRST JOB

Parent to Parent of GeorgiaFoundation Training

WHO ARE WE…

• Georgia’s Parent Training and Information Center (PTI)

• Georgia’s Family 2 Family Center (F2F)

• The Central Directory for Georgia’s Babies Can’t Wait (Part C) Program

• State Affiliate of P2PUSA

How Can P2P Help YOU?How Can P2P Help YOU?

All information is kept confidential and there are no fees for service.

• Special Needs Database• User Friendly Roadmap

to Services• Supporting Parents

selectively matched• One-on-one telephone

assistance• Parent-Led Navigator

Teams• Free training courses• Unique on-line

opportunities

How to Reach Us…

All you have to do is call

1-800-229-2038

and Parent to Parent of

Georgia will do the rest!

What We Will Learn Today?

1. The employer’s perspective2. Straight talk about employment3. Disclosure and the Americans with

Disabilities Act (ADA)4. Practical tips for families

Today’s Learning Objectives

Why Is Work Important?

Work provides:• A feeling of worth by

contributing to society• Meaning to our days• A place to learn social skills

and responsibility• A way to combat isolation,

loneliness, and depression• A role in the adult world

Employment Straight Talk…

Employers Are Looking For…A Workforce that demonstrates:• A good attitude about working• Honesty • Punctuality • Good communication skills • Reliability • Appropriate behavior• Willingness to learn new things

The Employer’s Perspective

Soft Skills are BIG!

• Interpersonal skills• Communication ability• Strong work ethic• Initiative• Teamwork• Very different from

technical know-how

The Employer’s Perspective

• Working cooperatively • Contributing to groups• Sense of responsibility• Healthy respect for

different opinions and customs

• Ability to participate in group decision making

Teamwork Expectations…

The Employer’s Perspective

10 Essential Skills Of Teamwork1. Reliable2. Effective

communicator3. Active listener4. Participates5. Shares6. Cooperative7. Flexible 8. Committed9. Problem solver10. Respectful

The Employer’s Perspective

Today’s Labor Market

• Strong competition for entry-level jobs• Concept of “entry-level” fading• Employees expected to be cross-trained • Summer months especially competitive• Interpersonal skills highly valued• Worker shortage expected in the future

Employment Straight Talk…

Employment and Disability• People with disabilities are 2.5 times more likely

to be unemployed or underemployed than people without disabilities

• Studies show that work experience in school, postsecondary education, and families involved with their youth lead to increased employment outcomes as adults

“Every youth has some skill that, if nurtured, will provide them the opportunity to make

money for the rest of their life.” Larry Kortering

Employment Straight Talk…

Employment and Youth

• Youth unable to find or keep jobs

• Jobs don’t meet strengths or interests

• Youth stay at home waiting for “services” to find them a job

Employment Straight Talk…

Employment and Youth with Disabilities

• Youth not willing to disclose a disability• Youth not asking for the help they need

to do the job successfully• Youth not being knowledgeable about

their disability• Youth denying they even have a disability

Employment Straight Talk…

To Disclose, or Not to Disclose?• Disclosure is a personal choice• No law says people have to disclose their

disability• Families should help youth practice

answering interview questions

Disclosure and the ADA

It All Begins with Self-Awareness• Know what their

disability is • Practice telling others

about it• Know how their

disability affects them in school and on the job

Disclosure and the ADA

What the ADA Says…• May disclose a disability during the

interview process• May disclose if accommodations are

needed to perform essential job duties

If you do not disclose the disability, you cannot use ADA protection or legally

expect any accommodations.

Disclosure and the ADA

Job Accommodations• Allow person to perform

essential functions” of a job• Essential functions are duties a

person must be able to perform• Accommodations are usually

inexpensive and simple to put in place

• Proposed accommodations must not result in undue hardship to the employer

Disclosure and the ADA

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

• Free resource from the US Department of Labor

• Includes helpful information for employers about complying with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

• Contains fact sheets on specific disabilities and workplace accommodations

Disclosure and the ADA

Positive Family Involvement Leads to Success

•Know Employment Options•Begin Career Planning•Prepare for Employment•Understand that Your “Job” Doesn’t Necessarily End with an Employment Offer

Practical Tips for Parents

Why Career Planning?

• Avoids poor job matches• Improves transition or employment

plans• Helps the teen begin thinking about

work in a productive way• Provides a realistic, step-by-step plan

to reach long-term career goals

Practical Tips for Parents: Career Planning

Career Planning Basics• “What is your dream job?”

• “What do you need to know to do that job?”

• “What classes in school can help you learn the skills you need?”

• “Do you like to work inside or outside?”

• “Do you have good times of the day or bad?”

Practical Tips for Parents: Career Planning

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)• Vocational

assessment• Vocational

counseling and guidance

• Vocational training• School to work

transition

• Rehabilitation technology

• Supported employment

• Job search and job placement

• Referral to other agencies for needed services

Practical Tips for Parents: Career Planning

How Families Can Help

• Identify strengths of youth

• Work on “soft skills” at home

• Maintain high expectations

Practical Tips for Parents: Career Planning

Thank You for Learning with Us!

Parent to Parent of Georgia3070 Presidential Parkway, Suite 130

Atlanta, GA 30340(770) 451-5484 or 1-800-229-2038

Fax: (770) 458-4091

www.p2pga.org