After Graduation – Ideas for Rich, Full Days

After Graduation – Ideas for Rich, Full Days April 6, 2009 University of Montana Rural Institute Transition Projects http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/transition UM Rural Institute

Introducing… • Tracy Fillbach • Age 22 • Graduate of Corvallis High School • Home Care Attendant • Active member of community UM Rural Institute

Living Situation • I live in my own apartment in Hamilton • I plan and prepare my own meals • I have my own car and drive places I need to go (I’ve had my driver’s license for a long time) • To keep connected with the world, I have a land line telephone and a track phone (like a cell phone but I purchase minutes every month) • I have a computer but no Internet access • I work out regularly at a local Health Club UM Rural Institute

Staying Organized • I write appointments and other important things on calendars • If I can’t be somewhere I’m supposed to be, I call ahead of time and let the other person know UM Rural Institute

Staying Safe • I can call 911 if I have an emergency • My apartment has smoke detectors • Susanne, my Community Rehabilitation Provider, joins me in my cooking and meal planning twice a month • My mom is supportive and helps if I need it UM Rural Institute

Employment • I am currently a Home Care Attendant • I work Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 – 11:30 • I help an individual get ready in the mornings, assist her with her breakfast, and feed her rabbits • Prior to being a Home Care Attendant, I worked as a Dietary Aide UM Rural Institute

Volunteering • I volunteer at the Teller Wildlife Refuge • My volunteering is in the summer • I weed and do other garden work • I volunteer with two ladies from the area UM Rural Institute

Fun • Raising and showing rabbits • I own three rabbits • They live at my sister’s house in Corvallis • Breeding and showing rabbits is a family event for us • Entering photographs at the county fair • Going to the Ravalli County Fair • Taking vacations with my family (my mom and I went to Oregon…in 2001, we went to Hawaii) • On my days off, I like to relax a bit but always work out! UM Rural Institute

Friends • I have several friends I spend time with • Randy and I hang out sometimes UM Rural Institute

Fitness My mom told me I needed to start exercising, so: • I go to the Iron Horse Health Club with friends • I use the machines • Twice a week for an hour at a time • I ride my bike • I downhill ski • I compete in Special Olympics • And I go horseback riding • Once a week with Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding UM Rural Institute

A Typical Day • Get ready for the day • Drive to work (from Hamilton to Corvallis) • Work from 8:30 – 11:00 • Run errands • Go home • Eat lunch and relax • Go to the Iron Horse and work out • Watch television • Go visit friends • Make and eat dinner • Go for a walk • Watch a rented movie UM Rural Institute

Community Supports $$$ • I am eligible for Community Supports funding through the Montana Developmental Disabilities Program • The money is used for *Fitness Membership *Meal Planning, Preparation, and Budgeting *Horse Back Riding *Long-Term Supported Employment UM Rural Institute

Do I ever get bored? • Yes! Don’t we all? • When I get bored, I ride my bike, watch television, or find something else to do UM Rural Institute

My Name is Ryan Monson • I graduated from Hamilton High School in May 2002. This is my senior year picture. • I am 27 years old now. • I live with my parents and have 5 brothers and sisters and 12 stepbrothers and sisters, though I am the only one living at home. • We moved to Montana from Utah nine years ago. Some of my family members still live in Utah and some live in Montana and I have lots of nieces and nephews. UM Rural Institute

I have a job delivering newspapers: I deliver the Bitteroot Star every Wednesday morning starting at nine o’clock. I deliver to the businesses downtown and it usually takes me about two hours. UM Rural Institute

People who have helped me since I graduated: • My family and I do fun things together. Sometimes we go swimming, hiking, have picnics or barbeques and watch movies or play chess. • Susanne Meikle is my job coach and also helps me in finding suitable employment. She is my friend, too, and helps me learn things about working in the community and doing things the right way. She is with Montana Work Solutions and helps people with disabilities and special needs to find jobs. There is a newspaper article about her on the last slide. • Jane Shigley is my case manager for Community Supports. She helps me with Special Olympics, government funding for job supports, and helps with any problems I encounter. • Jerry Zook, the counselor with Montana Vocational Rehabilitation in Hamilton, helped me in finding work and providing government funding. • My parents provide transportation when I need it. UM Rural Institute

Things I do for fun: • Read books • Go for walks or ride my bike • Play computer games and watch TV • Ride horses • Attend People’s First meetings and events • Visit my brother’s video store to play and trade games. UM Rural Institute

Things I do for fun: • Work on my computer • Practice typing by copying books • Attend Special Olympics • Play and compose music on my keyboard • Play chess • Volunteer UM Rural Institute

I volunteered at Kids First UM Rural Institute

Carol Monson • I am Ryan’s stepmother. He has lived with me since he was seven years old. • I help Ryan with his projects, teach him proper use of his computer and electronic equipment, and encourage him to be outgoing and participate in things that are useful for his growth and intellectual progress. • His father also helps in caring for his special needs and provides transportation whenever he needs it. UM Rural Institute

Tips for other parents and teachers: • Find what is available in services and providers in your community. In Ravalli County, check with the Opportunity Resources people. • Sign up for Developmental Disability services and Community Supports as soon as you can, even while your child is still in school. Once your child is out of school, Community Supports funding can help in paying for job coaching and searching for possible employment. • Apply for SSI for your child (and keep applying if you are initially turned down…they always seem to turn you down at first but be persistent and keep applying). • Access all available work programs while your child is still in school- summer jobs, work experience programs, etc. • The Rural Institute at the University of Montana in Missoula can be of help sometimes, too. UM Rural Institute

Tips for other parents and teachers: • It helps to be aware of your child’s strengths and weaknesses and what special abilities they might have that could be marketed in the business world. Then plan to increase their capacity. • Start looking around for businesses that might be willing to take on an employee with your child’s special abilities and strengths. • While he was in high school, Ryan participated in a special “Job Profiling” through the Rural Institute. This helped us to realize just what he was capable of. Then we brainstormed with his teachers to think about and find possible businesses that could be shown how someone with Ryan’s skills could be of benefit to their workplace. We met often to discuss and help discover further opportunities to help Ryan. His teachers in the Special Education Department were very helpful. UM Rural Institute

Was it easy to build a full day? • After Ryan graduated from high school, the Community Supports program (Jane Shigley, case manger, and Susanne Meikle with Montana Work Solutions) started working and doing IP (individual planning) meetings to help Ryan. We applied to Montana Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for help and they paid for some of his funding in finding a suitable job. His Community Supports funding kicked in and paid Susanne after funding with VR ran out. • We met often in IP planning meetings to decide the best businesses for Ryan to apply at and then Susanne called them and set up appointments for interviews. She let them know Ryan would have a job coach at first until he was comfortable with the job enough to not need one anymore. UM Rural Institute

Was it easy to build a full day? • It took awhile to get things worked out because not all businesses are willing to take a chance on people with disabilities but they can be shown how someone with disabilities can be of benefit in their workplace. • It took almost a year to find something he could do. He worked at Vann’s Appliances for awhile until they no longer needed him and he worked at Print Works until they had cutbacks due to various failures in their business. While he was waiting for employment he kept busy doing volunteer work and the fun things he likes to do. UM Rural Institute

UM Rural Institute

Introducing… Melissa “Lissie” Clark (my Assiniboine given name is Eya Be Washday Weya, which means Good Words Woman) UM Rural Institute

My Background • Gros Ventre Assiniboine Native American from the Fort Belknap Reservation • Born in Havre in 1976 • Graduated from CMR High School in 1996 and Secondary Life Skills in 1998 • One of the first diagnosed children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in the state of Montana UM Rural Institute

Living Situation • I live in Great Falls with my foster mom and support person, Sister Johnelle, and my dog, Tiger (Tiger a 105-year-old lab/Akita cross) • My mom drives me to places I need to be • Eventually I will be in the 10% of people with FAS who successfully live on their own…with proper supports in place UM Rural Institute

Employment • I am the owner and CEO of Lissie's Luv Yums, a gourmet dog biscuit business • My mom provides necessary supports • I’ve been in business for 10 years now • Our products include “Montana Made Dog Biscuits,” “Fun to Fix Dog Biscuit Mix” (includes directions and a cutter), and “Poochie Snack Pack” • We sell all over the U.S. and Canada via our web site, trade shows, and selected stores • I have three contracted bakers working for me and an informal franchise in Baker, Montana • I usually work 3-4 hours per day, 5 days per week (hours vary) • http://www.lissiesluvyums.com/ UM Rural Institute

My duties include: • Grinding wheat berries • Setting up the dry mix for the contractors • Baking • Packaging • Preparing products for shipping • Recording all orders and receipts • Bookkeeping and record keeping by hand • And anything else that needs to be done! UM Rural Institute

My business is fun! • The secret to success is to spend a lot of time up front making sure the business is something: • The person can do • The person wants to do • The person will enjoy • A home-based business works well for me…I work in my room, which is a safe space and reduces stress UM Rural Institute

Volunteering • I give presentations and interviews to interested groups about FAS • Idaho Governors DD Conference on Self-Employment • Melissa's Circle of Life at the Humility of Mary Center in Davenport, Iowa • Students Like Me in Grand Rapids, MI • High school students in Valier • “Self-Employment for People with Disabilities” at the Illinois State Transition Conference • “Meeting Ground” ½-hour radio show in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada • Cover of “Apostrophe” magazine winter issue • Montana Made Products PBS film (in production) • I also give talks about business development • I am a member of the SAMSHA Nationwide FASD panel (I am the American Indian expert member) • I have been a member of the Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities for 5-6 years and was the Vice-Chairperson for 2 years UM Rural Institute

Volunteering • Soup kitchen • Penny Fundraiser for AGAPE House ($1400) and now for Great Falls Rescue Mission • I am an associate member of the Sisters of Humility of Davenport, Iowa • Not a nun • Attend all meetings, including annual assembly in Iowa • Share prayers • Contract with Sisters UM Rural Institute

Continuing Education • Teacher provides computer tutoring every Tuesday • I just graduated from a 10-week sign language class and plan to go through it again next fall (I want to be an interpreter) UM Rural Institute

Fun • Word searches • Puzzles • Collect pennies • Listen to music (all kinds) • Read books (Raymond’s Room, Murder She Wrote, Long Way to Simple, The Horse Whisperer…) • Play the violin • Watch movies (“Slum Dog Millionaire,” “Grand Torino,”…) • Attend powwows and art shows UM Rural Institute

Friends • I have lots of friends, including Mary, Angie, Angie from QLC, Stephanie, and the Sisters of Humility • I also have a boyfriend • When my friends and I have time, we like to go out to eat and go to movies • Sometimes QLC staff will host a get-together at someone’s house and we’ll have popcorn and watch movies • I use a cell phone and the Internet to keep in touch…I just joined Facebook and I have a web site for my business UM Rural Institute

Fitness • I work out on the machines at Gold’s Gym for an hour every Monday and Friday (a staff person from QLC goes with me) • My mom and I attend Gentle Yoga for an hour every Monday at Paris Gibson Square • We have reflexology every Wednesday • When Tiger feels well enough (she has bone cancer), we go for walks • I am at risk for diabetes, so try to eat healthy foods (I’m an excellent cook!) UM Rural Institute

A Typical Day • Wake up • Make biscuit dough • Get the oatmeal water and coffee going (on Sundays, cook breakfast) • Shower, dress, turn on computer, and eat • Bake, ship biscuits • Study sign language • Cook and eat lunch • Go to Gentle Yoga • Package and ship biscuits • Practice violin • Do email • Walk Tiger • Housework • Reflexology, computer class, or catch up on paperwork • Cook and eat dinner • Read, watch a movie, or relax before bed UM Rural Institute

Community Supports $$$ • I receive Community Supports funding through the Montana Developmental Disabilities Program • The money is used for: • Computer classes to help my business • Sign language classes • Gym on Mondays and Fridays • Social activities (cooking class, safety concerns, community independence…) UM Rural Institute

My Mission • To educate others about FAS and give hope to others. UM Rural Institute

Questions? UM Rural Institute

After Graduation – Ideas for Rich, Full Days