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Community Pre-Vocational Services Rachel Pollock
EFSLMP IOWA STATE COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WEBINAR
MAY 26, 2015
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Community Pre-vocational and Day ServicesFORGING A TRUE PATHWAY TO EMPLOYMENT
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Benefits of Wrap Around Programs as a Complement to Employment Initiatives
Launching off point for employment Opportunity for integration in the community Provides structure and security during job search Provides structure for hours when person is not working Needs of family or residential service providers
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Common Community Pre-vocational ActivitiesJob ExplorationJob ShadowingResume writingInterviewing Skills
Role Playing Workplace EtiquetteVolunteeringPaid and unpaid internshipsTraining in particular skills
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Common Day Habilitation ActivitiesSports and recreational activitiesArtistic activitiesVolunteer workClubs based on interests (e.g. Anime, Gardening, Computer)Individual skill building (e.g. cooking, budgeting, travel training)
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Program elements that support employment Create connections with organizations that might have employment opportunities Develop individual relationship with supervisors or colleagues who can aid in a job search Explore new interests or expand on existing interests Develop skills directly related to work – should be tasks we anticipate that person would do Encourages confidence Range of options that match individuals’ interests, abilities and needs Based on knowledge about individuals and choices of individuals
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Key questions to ask ourselves???How do we ensure that “program” activities really help people move toward employment?
How can we individualize opportunities and experiences within a group program and group funding?
How do we support people to become part of their communities?
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Key strategies to keep in mind….Integrate discovery type process
Develop community partnerships
Focus on building confidence, skills and interests
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HAVE FUN!! BE CREATIVE!!
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Volunteer work Employment
Internships
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Man smiling in wheelchair surrounded by pet supplies
Click icon to add picture
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Man drumming in a classroom
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Young man focused on work at computer
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Young women concentrates on moving tools to make print on print screen framed in wood. Coach stands next to her.
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Steps to meaningful volunteer work
Discovery process
Team effort of direct support workers, managers and the individual
Useful for both community activities and employment – braided service
Tools available for planning
-- Person Centered Planning work
-- Community Calendar (Marc Gold and Associates)
-- Draft your own
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Compare Six people doing clerical work for a large not-for-profit that develops housing for low income peopleWork together in a conference roomDaily contact with office manager and clerical assistantSupports from lead support worker with experience in task analysis and teaching skills
What program elements can create a pathway to employment?
How do we evaluate the quality of this experience?
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Breaking it downDoes it pass muster with Federal and State labor laws?Are the individuals gaining new skills? Really ask what additional skills they are continuing to learn?How much contact do they have with the not-for-profit’s staff?How connected is the work with each person’s interests and passions?
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Reconstructing group volunteer activities
Create partnerships with a committed not-for-profit or community group of size large enough to have multiple work stations Give individuals choices about activitiesMatch individuals with particular departments (e.g. one individual works with the fiscal department, one individual with case management, one individual with fundraising staff)Staff takes on role of job coach shuttling between work stations
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Creative Arts Employment
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Four men raising arms while practicing for theatre production. Group of men and women gesturing to show different feelings and practicing for upcoming production.
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Theatre Troupe
o Responsibility to a teamo Opportunities for initiative and leadershipo Confidenceo Self-expression and advocacyo Meeting team members expectationso Meeting audience (customer’s) expectationso Responding to constructive feedbacko Using role playing and team work to solve problemso Accomplishment of group projects
Fosters confidence, communication, and team work
Cooperative theatre group facilitated by consultant
Distinguish from teacher led class
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Five men and two women standing under a banner at NYC Poetry Festival
The Poets of Corsi
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Six men and two women seated with books in background.
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Poets of Corsi – Poetry GroupIntent was to have members with and without disabilitiesIn partnership with local Settlement House Currently a group with disabilitiesCollaboration run by members – facilitated by staff with creative arts backgroundPerformances at Poetry Festivals – must apply and be selected for these festivalsPerformances at community bookstores
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Benefits Encourages self-expression and communication of ideas
Meeting Audience Expectations
Confidence
Planning performances as a group
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Interests EmploymentClasses
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Ways we all develop knowledge and expertise
Examples: Participate individually or as a small group
• Attending computer classes at local library – work with library to tailor class to people with and without disabilities
◦ Membership at a fitness center
◦ Frequenting Hollywood themed restaurant
◦ Photoshop classes
◦ College attendance – both for credit and not for credit (certificate programs) or GED classes
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Urban Innovations: A New Model
Neighborhood Based Citizen Participation
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Individuals participating in a Neighborhood in which they live (TWO PROVIDER AGENCIES PARTICIPATING TOGETHER)
Community within a community
Small hub at a neighborhood community center
Participate as individuals or in small groups of two to four individuals
Group facilitator develops partnerships with other community groups
Spearheads citizen projects
Co-sponsor community events and festivals
Participate in a variety of classes, volunteer work, and community activities based on individual interests and commitments, and community needs
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Two men standing on either side of a birdhouse shaped box that contains books. Urban Innovations sponsors little free libraries in local parks.
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Man standing next to graffiti art work Women holding graffiti art work
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In background, line of 4 women and one man dancing at community sharing event.
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Small group activities in Harlem Small group of four individuals meet together in their Harlem neighborhood
Individuals formerly took vans to a center based program in downtown Manhattan and then came home to their uptown Harlem neighborhood every evening.
Support worker taught each of them to travel from their homes to an established spot nearby their homes in Harlem
The group decides on a schedule of activities that takes account of all of their interests.
Includes classes, volunteer work, and Urban Innovations sponsored projects in the neighborhood
SUGGESTION: Add in individual one to one activities within the weekly schedule
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Sample Schedule of Neighborhood Based Activities
Volunteer together at a food pantry
Participate in a dance class in the neighborhood
Join a crochet class co-sponsored by the Urban
Innovations program and community organization
Help to steward the little free library
Participate in a photo shop class in the community
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Issues to think about…… Staffing changes
Engagement with families
Transportation
Funding
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Staffing
Resource Developer -- to develop partnerships and individual opportunities
Staff with expertise in travel training
Staff to assist in keeping track of schedules and staffing of group and individual activities
Liaison with employment team – may be useful
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Talking with families• Explain your goals for the program• Give individuals and families opportunities to express their
hopes and fears• Bring people into the planning process in a meaningful way• Remember: Individuals and their families may have
different agendas
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Funding
Sufficient funding to cover non face to face staff activities
Smaller Units of Service enables development of natural supports
Funding for paid internships
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Transportation
Neighborhood based services can rely on combination of travel training, staff pick-up of small number of people, assistance of family, other service providers.
Partnership with other service systems – opportunity for micro-enterprises for stay at home parents, parents of special needs school children etc.
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Some final thoughts…. Program as an incubator for launching people’s hopes and dreams
Maximize individualized services and supports even when you provide small group services
Keep our eye on the employment goal!
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Contact Information
Rachel Pollock
ODEP EFSLMP Subject Matter Expert
212-944-0564 ext. 230
