Creative Employment Strategies

1. Creative EmploymentStrategies Wendy Parent Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (785) 864-1062 wparent@ku.edu

2. What are Supported and Customized Employment? • Competitive Employment • In Integrated Businesses • With Individualized Support Basic idea behind both is: • Knowing what the potential employee wants and needs • Knowing what the employer wants and needs • Supporting or negotiating any differences between the two

3. Meet Luke • Lived in an institution • Spent ten years in a sheltered workshop • Worked as a grocery store bagger and received supported employment services • Currently owns Abercrombie Arcade, a customized and supported self-employment venture

4. What Outcomes Can Be Achieved Using These Approaches? • Created Jobs • Carved Jobs • Resource Ownership • Self-Employment • Combination Employment

5. Meet Sally – Created Job

7. 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 • Carved job as a Special Education Aide for Habersham Public Schools

8. Meet Jill – Carved Job • Interested in becoming a paralegal • Completed CASA Training (Court Appointed Special Advocate) • Assistive technology assessment and purchase of communication device • Member of team had a connection with a judge • Carved job with courts in judge’s office • Friend on team offered to support education

9. Meet Michael – Resource Ownership • Interested in washing cars • Resource ownership with small business, All Star Detailing • ITA Purchases: • Detailer • Trailer • Total ITA Expenditures = $6,153 • Natural Supports • Transportation provided by business owner • Co-workers provide training

10. Meet Mary - Resource Ownership • Brain & Spinal cord injury, attends segregated school program, has never worked. • Loves animals, enjoys writing, wants to advocate for others • Resource ownership with local MADD Chapter and Humane Society • ITA Expenditures: • Communication System • LCD Projector • Assistive Technology Assessment, Training, and Follow-up • TOTAL ITA Expenditures: $9,200

11. Meet Robert – Self-Employment • Self employed in laundry business • Keep It Kleen • Sterilizes towels for hair salons • ITA Purchases: • High-tech washer and dryer • Magnetic advertising panels for delivery Jeep • Business License • Jeep Repair • Total ITA expenditures - $4,200 • Thanks to Nancy Brooks-Lane & Doug Crandell, Cobb County CSB, Georgia (404) 833-1684, (404) 650-4334

12. Meet Linda – Self Employment • Lived life in an institution, attended segregated programs; • Artist, writer, very interested in clothes and make-up; • Self-employed as a freelance artist, advocate; • Pastel & acrylic drawings, presentations; • “We’re proud to have Linda’s 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.

13. Meet Chris – Combination Employment • Dream Job – Video Recording • Resource Ownership/Created Job • Manages Glow Bowl segment within Rose Lane Bowling Alley • ITA Purchases: • Video Systems • Dance Revolution game • Total ITA Expenditures = $17,000 • 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

14. Meet Crystal – CombinationEmployment • Interested in books, magazines and reading • Resource Ownership / Self-Employment • Java Hut / Crystal’s Book Nook • ITA Purchases: • Magazine Racks • Books • Magazines • Total ITA expenditures - $2,114 • 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

15. What is the First Step?The Employment Team Meeting • Organize • Invite participants • Schedule initial meeting • Energize • Attitude of optimism; employment as the intended outcome • Guided by an individual’s passion; made a reality by the creative energy & resources of the group

16. The Employment Team Meeting (continued) * Individualize - Employment plan translates the team’s work into action steps with timelines, persons responsible, and expected outcomes; provides a blue print - Leverage creative funding and support resources * Materialize - Follow-up meeting; additional participants with specific expertise; brainstorming and discussion; accountability - Shared contributions of the group; collaborative effort - Employment situation becomes clearer; ideas emerge - Facilitator oversees implementation of the plan

17. What are Some of the Advantages of this Approach? • Offers us a different way of thinking about employment • Doesn’t depend on knowing it all or solving all the problems facing transition and employment services • Shares responsibility and builds on expertise and contributions of all • Relies on disability, generic, and natural support resources • Taps into new and different funding sources • Leads to nontraditional, creative employment outcomes • Provides opportunities for individuals to be in the drivers seat • Expands options, particularly to those with limited or none • By passes many of the issues impacting service delivery systems

18. Meet Charles – Illustrating the Process • Dream Job: Related to Music • ITA Purchases: • Sound Equipment • Assistive technology • Computer • Consultant with a music mentor • Total ITA Expenditures = $5,939 • Self Employment • Anticipated monthly business costs = $75.00 • Anticipated monthly revenue = $1,680 (first four months)

19. Supporting or Negotiating: What the Employer Wants and Needs • Charles brought a stereo and recording equipment to the owner of The Wandering Mug Coffee Shop and presented a self employment venture. • Owner offered his shop as a recording studio and did not charge a fee. • Coffee Shops business increased as customers came to listen to music. • The musical act got exposure and did not have to pay the costs of a typical recording studio. • The Music Man had a regular venue for recording requiring no upkeep on his part. • Charles edited and created a finished product to sell to the musical acts • It is expected that Charles will expand to record musical acts in other local venues.

20. Supporting or Negotiating: What the Individual Wants and Needs • Member of team had a friend who owned a coffee shop that occasionally brought in musical entertainment • Another member knew of a professional consultant in the music industry • Received training from employer on music and audio equipment • Father offered to provide job coach support and manage the business • Knew acquaintance with local college student union who could link with student musicians • Friends at church willing to share music resources and recording opportunities • Employer marketed to others in the music industry • Team identified leads for other business sponsors

21. What Strategies are Helpful to Achieve Employment Outcomes? • Someone take the lead • Arrange initial team meeting • Individual’s passion sparks ideas • Enthusiasm fosters creativity/productivity • Assign homework • Develop a blue print • Explore and share among the team • Meet again, review, revise, and get specific

22. Strategies (continued) • Establish plan with action steps, persons responsible, expected outcomes, and timelines • Target alternative funding and support resources • Decide on business arrangement (contact specific employers or develop a business plan) • Complete a functional assessment (Consumer Situational Assessment Summary Form) • Conduct a job analysis • Finalize the competitive employment outcome • Make any negotiations and/or support arrangements • Put an on-going support system in place (On-Going Support Plan)