Memorandum of Understanding Project SEARCH Brevard County

Transcription

1 Memorandum of Understanding Project SEARCH Brevard County PURPOSE: This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be used to outline the roles and responsibilities of parties committing resources to sustain the replication of Project SEARCH, a nationally recognized, award winning and employer-driven high school transition (education to careers) and adult employment program in Brevard County. The program focuses on students and adults with in Brevard County through a community and business partnership. PARTIES TO AGREEMENT: Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Brevard Achievement Center, Inc. (BAC) Brevard Business Leadership Network (BBLN) Brevard Public School System (BPSS) Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB) Bridges Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) Health First (HF) Mercedes Homes, Inc. (MHI) This team makes up the Project SEARCH. BACKGROUND: History of Project SEARCH (Students Exploring Alternative Resources Children s Hospital): The Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio was having increasing trouble filling entrylevel positions. The hospital also was striving to increase the diversity of its workforce. The hospital currently serves as a national role model for employing people with in jobs other than food service and housekeeping, where nationally about 60% of hospital employee s with work. Types of non-stereotypical hospital positions that individuals with currently hold include Clinical sterilization, IT Technical Support, Emergency department supply technician, Pharmacy Assistant, Secretary Assistant, and Data Entry. Program participants receive an initial uniform, on-the-job support and coaching, remedial coursework if necessary, and help with job placement and career advancement. Project SEARCH was a winner of the 2004 Secretary of Labor's New Freedom Initiative Award. In 2006 through a $175,000 grant awarded to Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc., a Project SEARCH licensing agreement secured by the Brevard Business Leadership Network, inkind resources and an MOU signed by collaborative partners, the first Project SEARCH program was replicated in Brevard County through a business and community partnership including Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Brevard Achievement Center, Inc. (BAC), Brevard Business Leadership Network (BBLN), Brevard Public School System (BPSS), Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB), Bridges, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Health First (HF), and Mercedes Homes, Inc. (MHI). In its inaugural year, the program served thirty-one individuals with. Twenty-four youth completed internship rotations and employment readiness skills training and eleven individuals obtained competitive employment. Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 1 of 16

2 PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS: Project SEARCH provides a comprehensive approach to employment, retention, and career advancement for individuals with. Serving as a single point of entry, the Project SEARCH program coordinates employment development and agency referrals with human resource needs. The goal is to match qualified individuals with to employers with open positions. The program provides on-the-job support, (Employment Coaching) adaptations and accommodations as well as support to management staff. On-site employment retention staff creates a unique support system where people with can successfully maintain employment and advance in their chosen careers. As the workplace changes and becomes more challenging, the bar is being raised for all levels of employment. There are, however, many entry-level positions that go unfilled because there are not enough employees to fill those positions. Workers with must be prepared and qualified to perform the essential functions or duties of a job, with or without reasonable accommodations. As part of the American with Disabilities ACT (ADA), employers can hold persons with to the same production/performance standards of essential job functions to which they hold employees without. Therefore, as individuals with prepare to transition to the workforce, they will need to gain transferable skills employers are currently demanding. At the same time, employers need assistance with understanding which employment opportunities are transferable to the different skill levels held by individuals with. Two program tracks are available: The High School Transition Program is designed to prepare students (interns) with (ages 18-21) who are in their last year of high school eligibility and whose main goal is employment and will benefit from career exploration for careers. The cornerstone of the one school-year program is immersion in the workplace. Interns learn employability and technical skills while participating in a variety of internship rotations that build skills toward competitive employment. Individualized career development and placement occurs based on the intern s experiences, strengths and skills. Interns are given support with accommodation, adaptations and on-the-job coaching. Total immersion in the workplace facilitates the teaching and learning process through continuous feedback and the application of new skills. Features: One year program Twelve interns per host site Interns spend each work day at a host business site (first hour is employability skills training.) Interns rotate through 3-4 individualized work experiences during the school year providing continual career assessment skill acquisition that occurs in hands-on-training settings. Interns must interview for each internship rotation. They are evaluated by managers throughout their rotation and must give a two weeks notice at the end of each rotation. Individualized career development and placement begins after the rotations are completed. Interns are given support through on-the-job coaching and work site accommodations with the ultimate goal of independence. Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 2 of 16

3 Eligibility: years old Ready to transition from high school Desires to work in the community Be willing to access independent transportation options, as needed Meet all academic requirements for graduation (with deferred graduation) Has basic communication skills Has appropriate social, grooming and hygiene skills Has independent toileting and feeding skills Can pass a drug screen and felony check Has updated immunizations The Adult Employment Program offers many real benefits for the business including decreased recruitment costs due to low turnover rates, as well as adding a positive dimension to the workforce, helping to raise awareness and acceptance of people with. This program focuses on placing people with in non-traditional/non-stereotypical careers that are complex and systematic. PROGRAM STAFF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (CORE): Detailed job descriptions for program staff have been developed and approved by the Advisory Committee and are on file with the Records Officer. Any modifications to job descriptions should be reviewed and approved by the. The will be responsible for interviewing candidates for open program staff positions with the final decision made by the hiring partner. Following are the core roles and responsibilities of the Project SEARCH program staff: Employment Coordinator / Liaison: The Employment Coordinator / Liaison serves as a Single Point of Entry resulting in a more business friendly model. Identifies open career opportunities at host site Performs job analysis/identification of essential functions Matches career opportunities to qualified candidates Adapts orientation program for new employees, co-workers and supervisors Identifies and supports career advancement opportunities Serve as ongoing support for supervisors, co-workers and new employees as needed Employment Coach: One agency per host site provides on-site coordinated employment coaching which allows for relationship building opportunities and a much more productive training environment for the intern / employee and host site management. Coordinates with other program staff and host site representatives to identify and implement accommodations and adaptations Provides employment coaching during worksite rotations / transition to employment Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 3 of 16

4 Instructor (HSTP): Conducts outreach for intern enrollments through school system Coordinates intern program application, selection and enrollment activities Provides employment readiness training Coordinates Employment Coach activities PROGRAM OUTCOMES: Provide up to 12 interns per host site work readiness skills and on-site employment skills training Fill an increased number of host site business positions with qualified people who have focus on existing entry level, high turnover positions that are non-stereotypical, complex and systematic Develop employment accommodations and adaptations that maximize the skills of people with Create inclusive employment environments that allow people with to maximize their talents in non-traditional roles Demonstrate to employers that employees with provide a high quality service at a competitive cost Provide ongoing support at the workplace for employees who have Provide ongoing support and technical assistance to business management with regards to their employees with PARTNER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Project SEARCH partners will work together through membership in the Project SEARCH for the purpose of providing local governance and technical assistance that contribute to the success of the program. Membership will be based on the degree of resources, roles and responsibilities of a partner. The Committee may elect to appoint additional members by consensus at any time based on the degree of resources, roles and responsibilities the potential member offers to the program. Membership terms are indefinite based on the degree of resources, roles and responsibilities contributed by the member and as agreed to by the Committee. Members have the right to terminate their membership at anytime for any reason. Governance: This MOU serves as documentation of the governing principles of the. The will meet monthly unless otherwise determined by members to review program status, best practices, challenges, and outcomes. The has the authority to develop and implement governing tools and make recommendations that support the success of the program. One member will be appointed as the Committee Facilitator; one member will be appointed as Committee Secretary; one member will be appointed as the Records Officer; one member will be Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 4 of 16

5 appointed as the Marketing Coordinator; one member will be appointed as the Fiscal Agent; and one member will be appointed as the New Business Development Coordinator; all as agreed to by the membership. The BBLN serves as the Licensing Agent for Project SEARCH through an agreement with Project SEARCH Cincinnati Children s Hospital. The Facilitator will be responsible for coordinating meeting schedules, developing agendas, distributing agenda packages to members and facilitating meetings. The Secretary will be responsible for recording meeting minutes and submitting minutes to the Facilitator for distribution to members. The Records Officer will be responsible for maintaining all intern related program materials, governance tools (meeting minutes, policies, procedures and other governing tools as approved for use by the ). The Marketing Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of community at-large marketing activities, records and materials as approved for use by the. The Marketing Coordinator also serves as the Licensing Agent for Project SEARCH. The Fiscal Agent will be responsible for monetary resource development and managing distribution of funds as needed to support sustainability of the program. Funding distributions will be made, as available, through a process agreed upon by the. The New Business Development Coordinator will be responsible for identifying and recommending new business host sites for approval by the. PERFORMANCE MEASURES: Program success will be monitored by the Project SEARCH. The Project SEARCH program year will match that of our local education system school year running annually from Aug 1 st through July 30 th. Annual performance will be reviewed by the Committee for each prior year in July. An annual report will be developed reflecting annual program performance and other milestones achieved. Additionally, annual goals for the upcoming year will be developed by the Committee in July and serve as a strategic plan for the program. At each meeting each host site Employment Coordinator / Liaison will provide a program status report including but not limited to the number of intern enrollments, interns in training, intern training completions, the number of interns employed, the number of adults employed, employee retention rates, employee career advancement data and intern, employee and employer customer satisfaction ratings. The Marketing Coordinator will provide a report summarizing community outreach activities. The Fiscal Agent will provide a report summarizing funding opportunities available, pending and secured, as well as a summary of financial assistance provided to Project SEARCH partners. The New Business Development Coordinator will provide a report summarizing new business leads identified, pending and secured. * agendas may also include guest speakers from the community for the purpose of providing additional technical assistance or educating the committee about resources available that may support program success. Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 5 of 16

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7 PROJECT SEARCH LOGIC MODEL: The following Logic Model outlines the scope of services that will be provided by each partner to this MOU: INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Goal: To provide training and employment opportunities for students with. Agency of Persons with Disabilities (APD) Provide fee for services for APD eligible participants contingent on funds available APD Travel Serve as a member of the Support Project Search outreach Provide expertise in adaptations and other technical assistance Provide fee for services to APD eligible participants contingent on funds available Businesses that need employees in high demand careers Community at-large will have the necessary employment skills to obtain and maintain competitive, gainful employment Employers will have skilled employees in appropriate positions will be increasingly self-sufficient Employers will become aware of the benefits of hiring persons with and will be able to meet their workforce needs in Brevard County Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 7 of 16

8 INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Brevard Achievement Center, Inc. (BAC) 3 Employment Coaches and a portion of VP of Employment Services time using funding resources from BBLN, APD, VR BAC Office Supplies BAC Travel Provide Employment Coach services to interns who are School Board VR/APD eligible during internship rotations in coordination with the Instructor and during transition period upon intern obtaining employment in coordination with the Employment Coordinator Provide Employment Coach services to employed adults who are VR/APD eligible as appropriate in coordination with the Employment Coordinator Up to 12 students with ages (per designated host site) Adults with Businesses that need employees in high demand careers Community at-large will have the necessary employment skills to obtain and maintain competitive, gainful employment Employers will have skilled employees in appropriate positions will be increasingly self-sufficient Employers will become aware of the benefits of hiring persons with and will be able to meet their workforce needs in Brevard County Serve as a member of the Support employment / internship analysis/development/ adaptation and matching Support Project SEARCH outreach Refer individuals with to the program Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 8 of 16

9 INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Brevard Business Leadership Network (BBLN) A portion of Director time Financial Support (Fiscal Agent) BBLN Office Supplies BBLN Travel Serve as the Fiscal Agent responsible for seeking out and securing additional funding sources for the program to support Employment Coach services Serve as the Marketing Coordinator to market the program to the community and act as first point of contact to coordinate site visits and technical assistance for other areas of the state interested in replicating Project SEARCH Serve as the New Business Development Coordinator to identify and recommend additional business host sites for approval by the Advisory Committee. Businesses that need employees in high demand careers Community at-large will have the necessary employment skills to obtain and maintain competitive, gainful employment Employers will have skilled employees in appropriate positions Business needs will be met by filling more open non-traditional positions and increasing retention rates in these positions will be increasingly self-sufficient Employers will become aware of the benefits of hiring persons with and will be able to meet their workforce needs in Brevard County Serve as the Licensee Agent for Project SEARCH Serve as a member of the Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 9 of 16

10 INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Brevard Public Schools (BPS) A portion of Special Populations Specialist time A portion of Director of Program Support Services time Two full-time ESE teachers (Instructors) BPS Office Supplies BPS Travel Coordinate student outreach, recruitment, application, selection and enrollment of students with Provide employment readiness skills training Manage intern IEPs Serve as the liaison between interns and their families Support the development of individualized intern training plans Support internship rotation analysis/employment match activities Coordinate Employment Coach services for interns in worksite rotations Up to 12 students with ages (per designated host site) Up to 24 parents (per designated host site) Businesses that need employees in high demand careers Community at-large Up to 12 students with (per designated host site) will have the necessary employment skills to obtain and maintain competitive, gainful employment Up to 12 students with (per designated host site) will benefit from a strong network of transitional supports to successfully move from school to employment / careers Employers will have skilled employees in appropriate positions Students with will have self selected career paths and more opportunities for employment Students with will be contributing members of society Students with will be increasingly selfsufficient Employers will become aware of the benefits of hiring persons with and will be able to meet their workforce needs in Brevard County Support Project SEARCH outreach Serve as a Project SEARCH member Serve as the Records Officer for all PS policies, as well as services relevant to the HSTP Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 10 of 16

11 INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB) Brevard Job Link Youth Program services (as applicable) BWDB Office Supplies BWDB Travel Serve as the Project SEARCH Facilitator Provide services to adults with as applicable through Brevard Job Link (job search support, support services, additional employment readiness skills training) Provide WIA youth program services as applicable and available to interns (additional employment readiness skills training, job search support, support services, incentives) through Brevard Job Link Support Project SEARCH outreach Businesses that need employees in high demand careers Community at-large will have the necessary employment skills to obtain and maintain competitive, gainful employment Employers will have skilled employees in appropriate positions Business needs will be met by filling more open non-traditional positions and increasing retention rates in these positions Employers will become aware of the benefits of hiring individuals with and will be able to meet their workforce needs in Brevard County will be increasingly self-sufficient Refer individuals with to the program Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 11 of 16

12 INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Bridges 3 Employment Coaches and a portion of Employer Coordinator time using funding resources from BBLN, APD, VR Bridges Office Supplies Bridges Travel Provide Employment Coach services to interns who are School Board VR/APD eligible during internship rotations in coordination with the Instructor and during transition period upon interns obtaining employment in coordination with the Employment Coordinator Provide Employment Coach services to employed adults who are VR/APD eligible as appropriate in coordination with the Employment Coordinator Up to 12 students with (per designated host site) Adults with Businesses that need employees in high demand careers Community at-large will have the necessary job skills to obtain and maintain competitive, gainful employment. Employers will have skilled employees in appropriate positions will be increasingly self-sufficient Employers will become aware of the benefits of hiring the disabled population and will be able to meet their workforce needs in Brevard County Serve as a member of the Support employment / internship rotation analysis/ development/adaptation and matching Support Project SEARCH outreach Refer individuals with to the program Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 12 of 16

13 INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Health First (HF) On-site work readiness skills training room fully equipped with tables, chairs, whiteboards, computers with internet access and fax machine Job supplies Training / Employment opportunities Full-time Employment Coordinator HF Office Supplies HF Travel The Employment Coordinator will serve as the single point of entry for adults with interested in employment opportunities; coordinate employment / internship rotation analysis/ development and matching; and provide support as needed for employees with and business management Offer employment opportunities as available and appropriate Provide access to employment skills acquisition through internship rotations and on-site-on-the-job training Up to 12 students with Adults with Employee base Businesses that need employees in high demand careers The community atlarge Hire and retain qualified employees who want to be there and that result in low absenteeism and low turnover rate Increase awareness of how to modify employment opportunities for different skill levels Increase management skills of management team as it relates to working with individuals with Business needs will be met by filling more open non-traditional positions and increasing retention rates in these positions Serve as a Project SEARCH member Provide internal marketing to personnel regarding Project SEARCH Provide external marketing to promote and expand program Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 13 of 16

14 INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Mercedes Homes, Inc. (MHI) On-site employment readiness skills training room fully equipped with tables, chairs, whiteboards, computers with internet access and fax machine Job supplies Employment / Internship opportunities Portion of Human Resource Coordinator time to serve as the Project SEARCH Employment Coordinator / Laison MH Office Supplies MH Travel The Employment Coordinator will serve as the single point of entry for adults with interested in employment opportunities; coordinate employment and internship rotation analysis/ development and matching; and provide support as needed for employees with and business management Offer employment / internship opportunities as available and appropriate Provide access to employment skills acquisition through internship rotations and on-site-on-the-job training Up to 12 students with Adults with Employee base Businesses that need employees in high demand careers The community atlarge Hire and retain qualified employees who want to be there and that result in low absenteeism and low turnover rate Increase awareness of how to modify employment opportunities for different skill levels Increase management skills of management team as it relates to working with individuals with Business needs will be met by filling more open non-traditional positions and increasing retention rates in these positions Serve as a Project SEARCH member Provide internal marketing to personnel regarding Project SEARCH Provide external marketing to promote and expand program Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 14 of 16

15 INPUTS OUTPUTS OUTCOMES IMPACT Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) VR Counselor Support Financial assistance as applicable to Employment Coach service providers for VR eligible participants VR Office Supplies VR Travel Support Project SEARCH outreach Pre-screen applicants for VR eligibility Provide financial support to Employment Coach service providers for VR eligible participants Refer appropriate individuals with to program Businesses that need employees in high demand careers Community at-large will have the necessary employment skills to obtain and maintain competitive, gainful employment. Employers will have skilled employees in appropriate positions will be increasingly self-sufficient Employers will become aware of the benefits of hiring individuals with and will be able to meet their workforce needs in Brevard County Serve as a member of Provide assistive or adaptive equipment as able and required for adults Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 15 of 16

16 AGREEMENT PERIOD: Agreements under this MOU shall commence immediately upon execution and remain in effect until such time as any party wishes to withdraw from this agreement and provides ten days written notice to the Facilitator. MODIFICATION: This MOU may be modified at any time by written agreement of all parties. DISPUTE RESOLUTION: Parties shall provide written notice to the Facilitator of any dispute regarding this agreement or the services it is intended to provide. The receiving party must in turn forward the notice to the for resolution within 30 days. SIGNATURE AUTHORITY: The persons listed below attest authority to bind their respective party in a contractual agreement, and by signing below, this Memorandum of Understanding is agreed to by the following parties on the dates indicated. Date Date Steve Roth Dayle Olson Area Administrator President / CEO Agency of Persons with Disabilities Brevard Achievement Center, Inc. Date Date Betsy Farmer Dr. Richard A. DiPatri Director Superintendent Brevard Business Leadership Network Brevard Public Schools Date Date Lisa Rice David Cooke President / CEO President / CEO Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. Bridges Date Date Mike Means Scott Buescher President / CEO President / COO Health First Mercedes Homes, Inc. Date Wayne Olson Area Director Division of Vocational Rehabilitation / Department of Education Project SEARCH Brevard County Collaborative MOU 16 of 16