Essential Skills & Resources for Finding, Getting, & Keeping a Job Leah Lobato, Employer Relations Specialist, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR)

Essential Skills & Essential Skills & Resources for Resources for

Finding, Getting, & Finding, Getting, & Keeping a JobKeeping a Job

Leah Lobato, Employer Leah Lobato, Employer Relations Specialist, Utah Relations Specialist, Utah

State Office of Rehabilitation State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR)(USOR) Work Ability Utah

Medicaid Infrastructure Grant # 1QACMS030319

What is Competitive What is Competitive Employment?Employment?

• Defined at the federal level as “work Defined at the federal level as “work that is performed on a full or part-that is performed on a full or part-time basis, averaging at least 20 time basis, averaging at least 20 hours per week for each pay period, hours per week for each pay period, and for which an individual is and for which an individual is compensated in accordance with the compensated in accordance with the Fair Standards Labor Act (FSLA)” Fair Standards Labor Act (FSLA)” (Federal Register, (Federal Register, August 1987, p. August 1987, p. 44368)44368)

Why People with Disabilities Why People with Disabilities are not hired:are not hired:

(Myths)(Myths)Higher turnoverHigher turnover

Excessive absenceExcessive absenceLess productiveLess productive

Safety riskSafety riskToo costly or demandingToo costly or demanding

Won’t fit inWon’t fit in

Reasons to employ people with Reasons to employ people with disabilities:disabilities:

(Realities)(Realities)More likely to stay on the jobMore likely to stay on the job

81-93% rated above average in performance81-93% rated above average in performance

Attendance same to better than non-disabledAttendance same to better than non-disabled

Safety rates significantly lowerSafety rates significantly lower

No effect to cost reported by 90%+ of No effect to cost reported by 90%+ of employersemployers

Represent an enormous market nicheRepresent an enormous market niche

““Once an overlooked talent pool, Once an overlooked talent pool, people with disabilities are people with disabilities are contributing to the American contributing to the American economy in ways never economy in ways never imagined…”imagined…”

Thomas J. Donohue, Thomas J. Donohue, President & President & CEO of US CEO of US Chamber of CommerceChamber of Commerce

ResourcesResources

• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – www.usor.utah.govwww.usor.utah.gov– Help people with disabilities prepare for Help people with disabilities prepare for

work and find a job so they can live more work and find a job so they can live more independently.independently.• Possible services:Possible services:

– Counseling and GuidanceCounseling and Guidance– Medical Services and TreatmentMedical Services and Treatment– Assistive Technology (AT)Assistive Technology (AT)– Training and EducationTraining and Education– Job PlacementJob Placement– Follow-up ServicesFollow-up Services– ETC. ETC.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Informed choice

a process in which the counselor and client work together to identify and explore options and limitations. The

counselor provides as much information as possible to the client so that the client can make decisions

that will lead to a successful employment outcome. This process continues throughout the life of the

case.

Informed Choice and Education

• How does informed choice relate to self advocacy skills?

• What skills will a client/student need to participate fully in plan development considering informed choice?

• How can they learn those skills?

Who May Be Eligible for VR Services?

• A person who has a verifiable physical, mental, or psychological disability, AND

• The Disability creates problems with getting or keeping a job, AND

• The person can benefit from services in terms of an employment outcome, AND

• The person requires VR services in order to be successfully employed.

VR Transition- Appropriate Referral

• For example, a school counselor might refer:– A student with a learning disability or

other type of disability served under Special Education

– A 504 student with a significant physical disability

– Any other student with a disability which affects their ability to work, including students with mental illness.

Eligibility VS. Entitlement

• Remember, VR is an eligibility program, NOT an entitlement program.

• Once the student turns 18 they are considered an adult within the VR program, and are granted rights such as confidentiality. They also are considered their own household for ‘financial eligibility purposes’

• Anyone receiving SSA disability benefits is considered ‘presumed eligible’ for VR

VR Transition- IPE Development

• VR regulations state that Special Education students who are appropriate for VR should be referred and have a VR IPE (Individualized Plan for Employment) written before the student leaves high school.

• IPE’s for 504 students or other students with disabilities may be written at any appropriate time.

How do I refer a student for VR or IL services?

• You can refer potential clients through the VR counselor assigned to your school, or any potential client can call the USOR Administration office at (801) 538-7530 or (800) 473-7530 to find out which local office will serve them. The Application for Services may also be printed through the USOR Website at www.usor.utah.gov

When Should I Make a Referral?

• Students in a Special Education program should be referred early enough that eligibility can be determined and IPEs written before they leave school.

• Other students should be referred no later than the beginning of their last year in school.

• Students who have special needs related to jobs may need to be referred earlier

• School VR counselors can attend IEPs for students before they are VR clients as individual schedules allow

ResourcesResources• Work Ability Utah www.workabilityutah.orgWork Ability Utah www.workabilityutah.org

ResourcesResources

Work Ability CDWork Ability CD

ResourcesResources

• Department of Labor– In Utah, The Department of Labor– In Utah, The Department of Workforce Services Department of Workforce Services (DWS) – (DWS) – www.jobs.utah.gov– We provide employment and support services for We provide employment and support services for

our customers to improve their economic our customers to improve their economic opportunitiesopportunities

DWS- For Job SeekersDWS- For Job Seekers

Find a JobFind a Job– Master ApplicationMaster Application– Other Job Search toolsOther Job Search tools– Classified AdsClassified Ads

• Electronic Job BoardElectronic Job Board– Can search by area, shifts, etcCan search by area, shifts, etc

• Job FairsJob Fairs• Economic InfoEconomic Info

www.careers.utah.govwww.careers.utah.gov

Job Seeker GuidesJob Seeker Guides

• Cover LetterCover Letter• GroomingGrooming• Interview TechniquesInterview Techniques• Job ApplicationJob Application• Job Success SkillsJob Success Skills• Look for a JobLook for a Job• ResumeResume• Skills IdentificationSkills Identification• Tips for TeensTips for Teens• Tips for Finding the Right JobTips for Finding the Right Job

Tips For Teens

Utah Careers with a FutureUtah Careers with a FutureeSkills – eSkills – www.jobs.utah.gov/eskillswww.jobs.utah.gov/eskills

Career Ladder-Career Ladder- www.jobs.utah.gov/careers/genericwww.jobs.utah.gov/careers/generic

Career CenterCareer Center

• Employment Employment – Occupational OutlookOccupational Outlook– Job trendsJob trends

• ResourcesResources• Careers- Utah Career GuideCareers- Utah Career Guide

– Examples in next few slidesExamples in next few slides

• Training and EducationTraining and Education– Various resourcesVarious resources

Utah Careers MagazineUtah Careers Magazinehttp://jobs.utah.gov/opencms/wi/pubs/adultcarhttp://jobs.utah.gov/opencms/wi/pubs/adultcar

eerguide/eerguide/

Career Voyages

Utah CaresUtah Careswww.utahcare.orgwww.utahcare.org

Utah CaresUtah Cares

Utah Careers with a Future

Just for Youth – Just for Youth – www. www. justforyouth.utah.govjustforyouth.utah.gov

DWS- For Job SeekersDWS- For Job Seekers

• WorkshopsWorkshops– C.O.P.E – Communication, C.O.P.E – Communication,

Organization, Problem Solving, Esteem Organization, Problem Solving, Esteem – 5 day– 5 day

– Interviewing SkillsInterviewing Skills– Parenting that WorksParenting that Works– Resume BuildingResume Building

• Find an Employment CenterFind an Employment Center– By zip code searchBy zip code search

DWS – For Information and DWS – For Information and ServicesServices

PublicationsPublications• http://jobs.utah.gov/opencms/wi/pub

s/publicat.html– TrendlinesTrendlines– Utah CareersUtah Careers– Utah Careers Supplement for WomenUtah Careers Supplement for Women– Utah Careers Supplement for Older Utah Careers Supplement for Older

WorkersWorkers– Utah Careers supplement for TeensUtah Careers supplement for Teens– Job TrendsJob Trends– Occupational Wage TablesOccupational Wage Tables

ResourcesResources

• Choose To WorkChoose To Work– A service to employers & individuals A service to employers & individuals

with disabilities provided cooperatively with disabilities provided cooperatively between The Utah State Office of between The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation and The Department of Rehabilitation and The Department of Workforce Services.Workforce Services.

– Provided through Employment Provided through Employment Specialists working to connect Specialists working to connect employers with job opportunities to job employers with job opportunities to job ready individuals with disabilitiesready individuals with disabilities

ResourcesResources

• Disability MentoringDisability Mentoring– Promotes career development for students Promotes career development for students

and job seekers with disabilities through job and job seekers with disabilities through job shadowing and hands-on career exploration shadowing and hands-on career exploration ..

– Creates a pipeline of qualified workers from Creates a pipeline of qualified workers from which employers can recruit.which employers can recruit.

– Employers have an opportunity, as Employers have an opportunity, as volunteer mentors, to learn more about the volunteer mentors, to learn more about the experience of disability, assist students and experience of disability, assist students and job seekers to make career choices and job seekers to make career choices and offer internships.offer internships.

Employer NetworksEmployer Networks

• Active business connections built Active business connections built through relationships with employers.through relationships with employers.

• Employer’s who have made a Employer’s who have made a commitment to hiring and retaining commitment to hiring and retaining people with disabilities.people with disabilities.

• They are aware of USOR/VR services They are aware of USOR/VR services and the supports we can provide on and the supports we can provide on both the business side and client side.both the business side and client side.

Utah’s Employer NetworkUtah’s Employer Network

GENERAL POPULATIONGENERAL POPULATION• PWDNET (People With Disabilities Network) is a PWDNET (People With Disabilities Network) is a

resource available for employers to post job openings resource available for employers to post job openings and for job seekers to find those job openings. The and for job seekers to find those job openings. The purpose of this network is to link employers and job purpose of this network is to link employers and job seekers who have disabilities.seekers who have disabilities.

• Network employers have training and supports to Network employers have training and supports to understand how to recruit, hire and retain individuals understand how to recruit, hire and retain individuals with disabilities. They are dedicated to this qualified with disabilities. They are dedicated to this qualified workforce. Job Seekers can be confident the workforce. Job Seekers can be confident the employers have knowledge about disability issues and employers have knowledge about disability issues and understand accommodations within the entire understand accommodations within the entire employment process.employment process.

• For further information, contact Leah Lobato at (801) For further information, contact Leah Lobato at (801) 538-7964 or at 538-7964 or at [email protected]. .

www.usor.utah.gov

Upon opening categorizes by date postedUpon opening categorizes by date posted..

By clicking on any blue type you can change By clicking on any blue type you can change options.options.

Click on Job Title and list is alphabetized.Click on Job Title and list is alphabetized.

You can also sort by location and You can also sort by location and starting salary…starting salary…

ResourcesResources

•Career Preparation and Job FairsCareer Preparation and Job Fairs– Work Ability Career Preparation and Job Work Ability Career Preparation and Job

FairFair• Wednesday April 22, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 Wednesday April 22, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 2:00

p.m.p.m.• Sanderson Center of the Deaf and Hard of Sanderson Center of the Deaf and Hard of

HearingHearing5709 South 1500 West Taylorsville, UT 841235709 South 1500 West Taylorsville, UT 84123

• Please Contact: Leah LobatoPlease Contact: Leah LobatoEmployer Relations SpecialistEmployer Relations Specialist(801) 538-7964 or email [email protected](801) 538-7964 or email [email protected]

What Employers are What Employers are Looking ForLooking For

• GeneralGeneral– Positive Attitude.Positive Attitude.– Punctual.Punctual.– Good Attendance.Good Attendance.– Follow policies and procedures.Follow policies and procedures.– Be willing to listen.Be willing to listen.– Learn all you can about the job and Learn all you can about the job and

meet expectations.meet expectations.


• CommunicationCommunication– Be prepared for communication with Be prepared for communication with

supervisors. Check in…supervisors. Check in…– Be a team player – communicate with Be a team player – communicate with

your co-workers.your co-workers.– Ask for help when you need it.Ask for help when you need it.– Follow proper chain of command.Follow proper chain of command.


• PersonalPersonal– Prior to starting try to have most of your Prior to starting try to have most of your

personal appointments completed.personal appointments completed.– Be willing to learn.Be willing to learn.– Make new friends.Make new friends.– Be clean and well groomed – create the Be clean and well groomed – create the

image!image!– Keep personal life and problems at home.Keep personal life and problems at home.– Be patient with yourself and your employer.Be patient with yourself and your employer.– Volunteer.Volunteer.


• Getting along with others.Getting along with others.– Do not express your opinions, biases or Do not express your opinions, biases or

prejudices about others while at work.prejudices about others while at work.– Accept criticism as constructive.Accept criticism as constructive.– Always be friendly.Always be friendly.– Notice who your boss relies on and model Notice who your boss relies on and model

yourself after them.yourself after them.– Find a mentor.Find a mentor.– Treat everyone with courtesy and respect.Treat everyone with courtesy and respect.– Keep emotions under control.Keep emotions under control.– Show appreciation.Show appreciation.– Strive to be positively recognized.Strive to be positively recognized.

How Can Students Best How Can Students Best Prepare?Prepare?

• Begin planning in High School for the Begin planning in High School for the transition to work.transition to work.– Use educators and natural supports for Use educators and natural supports for

assistance in identifying programs in their assistance in identifying programs in their high schools.high schools.• Use the IEP process to help make the Use the IEP process to help make the

connections and plans to facilitate the transition.connections and plans to facilitate the transition.

– Utilize agencies that assist in job Utilize agencies that assist in job identification and job services.identification and job services.

– Be your own ADVOCATE!Be your own ADVOCATE!

What Can Families Do?What Can Families Do?

• Assist with identifying the Assist with identifying the appropriate employment to pursue.appropriate employment to pursue.

• Encourage your young adult to Encourage your young adult to assume household tasks, work part-assume household tasks, work part-time, and/or assume volunteer time, and/or assume volunteer positions.positions.

• Relate the “real world” to the “school Relate the “real world” to the “school world” – compare tasks at work to world” – compare tasks at work to tasks at school.tasks at school.

What Can Educators Do?What Can Educators Do?

• Provide a variety of work experiences for Provide a variety of work experiences for young adults while they are in high school.young adults while they are in high school.

• Discuss competitive employment at an early Discuss competitive employment at an early enough stage that timely and appropriate enough stage that timely and appropriate actions are taken to reach the goal.actions are taken to reach the goal.

• Think about how you run your classroom…Think about how you run your classroom…– You are the supervisor in your classroom.You are the supervisor in your classroom.– Can you model the class after the “working Can you model the class after the “working

world?”world?”

•Questions…Questions…

–Thank you for your Thank you for your time!time!

Work Ability UtahMedicaid Infrastructure Grant

# 1QACMS030319

Contact InformationContact Information

Leah LobatoLeah LobatoEmployer Relations Specialist, USOREmployer Relations Specialist, USOR

1-800-473-75301-800-473-7530801-538-7964801-538-7964

250 E. 500 S./P.O. Box 144200250 E. 500 S./P.O. Box 144200Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200

[email protected]

Documents

Essential Skills & Resources for Finding, Getting, & Keeping a Job Leah Lobato, Employer Relations Specialist, Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR)