Creative Employment Strategies. 4 th International Conference on Positive Behavior Support March 8, 2007 Boston, MA

Transcription

1 Creative Employment Strategies 4 th International Conference on Positive Behavior Support March 8, 2007 Boston, MA

2 How Do Behaviors Affect Employment Outcomes? Screen people out, considered unemployable Go to sheltered workshops or day programs Lose their jobs

3 Often Behaviors are Reduced or Eliminated with Work

4 What Strategies Can Help Reduce Problem Work Behaviors? Complete a functional assessment Identify an individual s skills, interests, preferences, support needs, idiosyncrasies, and passion Conduct a job analysis Determine the physical and social environment, job duties, expectations, daily routines and exceptions, and natural supports Make a job match Develop an employment niche, bridge the gap between job requirements and individual abilities

5 Strategies (cont.) Provide job site training Develop a task analysis, use systematic instructional techniques, utilize compensatory strategies, fade based upon data based decisions Develop On Going Supports Visit the job site, monitor work performance, provide additional training or support as needed, be proactive

6 Meet Cathy

7 Meet Nathan

8 Meet Judy

9 Meet Bob

10 Meet Luke

11 Meet Chuck

12 What is Supported Employment? Competitive employment In integrated work settings For persons with severe disabilities For whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred Or for whom competitive employment has been intermittent And who because of the severity of their disability, need intensive and/or on going support services to perform work

13 What is Customized Employment? Department of Labor initiative Approach for all individuals who have support needs as a result of life circumstances Accessed through the One Stop Centers Built on relationship between applicant and employer Based on needs of employer and contributions and needs of individual Value exchange between employer and employee Support or negotiate any differences between the two

14 What Outcomes Can Be Achieved Using These Approaches? Wage Employment Created Jobs Carved Jobs Resource Ownership Self Employment Combination Employment

15 Meet Cindy Wage Employment

16 Cindy (continued) School work experience Competitive job after graduating from school Employed full time with benefits Moved into own apartment Carpooling with coworkers Enrolled in drivers education course Pursuing child care certification

17 Meet Sally Created Job

18 Sally (continued)

19 Sally (continued) HR Clerk in a Hospital (Medical Records Department) Works 20 hours per week Earns $9.55 per hour and receives paid vacation, sick leave, medical and vision insurance (purchase at a part time rate), retirement, and life insurance Started as a Tray Passer in the Kitchen VR provided rehabilitation engineering and job coach assistance Received job coach support for several months with gradual fading and intermittent follow up visits Learned how to do the job to the employer s standards using a task analysis and systematic instructional techniques

20 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, VR provided supported employment svs Carved job as a Special Education Aide for Habersham Public Schools

21 Meet Michael Resource Ownership Interested in washing cars Resource ownership with small business, All Star Detailing Purchased a detailer and trailer Total cost $6,000 (VR and grant funds) Natural Supports Transportation provided by business owner Co workers provide training

22 Meet Lois Self Employment Lived life in an institution, attended segregated programs; Artist, writer, very interested in clothes and makeup; Self employed as a freelance artist, advocate; Pastel & acrylic drawings, presentations; Works part time at Target We re proud to have Lois 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.

23 Lois (continued)

24 Meet Robert Self Employment Owns his own laundry business Keep It Kleen Sterilizes towels for hair salons Bought a jeep using a PASS plan Purchases: High tech washer and dryer Magnetic advertising panels for delivery Jeep Business License Jeep Repair Total costs $4,200 Thanks to Nancy Brooks Lane & Doug Crandell, Cobb County CSB, Georgia (404) , (404)

25 Meet Chris Combination Employment Dream Job Video Recording Resource Ownership/Created Job Manages Glow Bowl segment within Rose Lane Bowling Alley Purchases: Video Systems Dance Revolution game 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

26 Meet Crystal Combination Employment Interested in books, magazines and reading Resource Ownership / Self Employment Java Hut / Crystal s Book Nook Purchases: Magazine Racks Books Magazines Total costs $2,114 (VR) 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 Books sell when she is not there

27 What if Problem Behaviors Occur on the Job? Remember.. Environmental consequences or reinforcement though very infrequent will maintain a behavior. Behaviors may be a way to avoid negative events. Behavior may be a way to control the environment. Negative behaviors may be the only way an individual can communicate. If you can rearrange environmental events, you can change behaviors!

28 How Can Challenging Behaviors Be Handled on a Work Site? First, is the training program effective? Second, is there really a problem? Third, conduct an ABC analysis of the behavior. Can the environment be modified to eliminate the problem? Fourth, take a baseline measure of the behavior. Fifth, determine the type of intervention that is required.

29 What Can I Do to Enhance Employment Outcomes? Share information about the possibilities Encourage work experiences while in school Refer individuals for supported employment Provide functional information about behaviors Share information about PBS Include a job coach on the team Assist with addressing problem behaviors on the job Advocate for individuals with severe disabilities Assess the quality of supported employment services

30 For more information, contact: Wendy Parent Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities University of Kansas 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 1052 Lawrence, KS (785)