King County Developmental Disabilities Division School-to-Work (S2W) Project Orientation Presented by: Kelley Faulkner, Project Manager

S2W Orientation  Project Overview  Eligibility Criteria  Step-by-Step: 8 steps  Project Partners  Review Timelines  Questions  Application

School-to-Work Orientation Project Overview

Approaching The last year of school What will your student be doing next July?

Government Funded Services: Focus on Employment Promoting employment outcomes for people regardless of their “level of disability.” Washington State Developmental Disabilities Division’s Working Age Adult Policy Working Age Adult Policy The School-to-Work Project coordinates services to help more young adults prepare for the world of work.

Important questions What are your student’s employment goals? How do you intend to make the most of the last year of school to reach those goals? What resources are available to help you and your student meet those goals?

What does this look like for a student?  Students continue to participate in activities directed by their school district.  The Employment Consultant enhances school services by Observing the student in work experience settings, Learning about their skills and support needs, and Helping them find a job before they leave school.  The Employment Consultant may ask students to Attend interviews, Practice community transportation, and Expand their skill set to be more marketable employees.  Whenever a job is found, students will go to work and stay enrolled in school.

A Local Solution “School-to-Work”, as described in this presentation, is only available in King County at this time. It was developed locally, with a unique combination of leadership and resources. Other counties and school districts in Washington State, and the country, may be addressing the transition from school to work in different ways.

Background S2W began 5 years ago as a King County initiative in order to address the gap in services between school and work and improve collaboration between the school and adult service systems.

Leadership and Coordination Ray Jensen, Director of the King County Developmental Disabilities Division (KCDDD), originally conceived of S2W. Kelley Faulkner, KCDDD Project Manager, was instrumental in the development and implementation of S2W. KCDDD staff manage funds for early intervention and employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities ages birth to three, and age 21 – 62. In addition, KCDDD coordinates technical assistance and training for families and agencies who access and provide these services.

A wealth of supportive partners Project Partners have worked with KCDDD over the last five years to implement and innovate processes and outcomes, and make S2W a nationally recognized program. 16 Supported Employment Agencies 18 School Districts Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Division of Developmental Disabilities Parents Students Technical Assistance and Training Agencies

Goal: Employment To help students with developmental disabilities in King County to leave school with a job, and the support they need to keep the job.

Strategy: Overlap Services Connect students and their primary support person to adult agencies earlier and Assign an employment consultant to be part of their transition team in their last year of school.

Benefits of overlapping services:  Efficient: Employment consultants and educators share information, resources and support strategies  Adjustment Period: Provides a year to learn about and prepare for differences between school and adult services.  Finding a Job is a Process: Provides a year to work towards employment goals.  Relationship and Routine Building: When school ends, new relationships and routines are already formed, creating a seamless transition.

Eligibility Criteria

Age  To participate in the school year, students must be turning 21 between September 1, 2010 and August 31,  Put another way, their Date of Birth must fall between September 1, 1989 and August 31, 1990.

School Year: DOB : through : through : through : through : through

King County Residence  Students must reside in King County, and maintain enrollment in a participating School District. Currently most school districts in King County are participating in School-to-Work. Check with your teacher or the King County School-to-Work Project Manager.

Client of WA State Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)  (206) call to see if your student is an active client  Apply as soon as possible; it can take several months to complete the intake process  Eligibility criteria online:

Customer of WA State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)  Call (800) to find your local office and schedule an intake appointment  Apply as soon as possible; it can take several months to complete the intake process  Visit website to review services

Apply for Benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA)  Highly encouraged; not required  Cash and medical benefits  Work incentive programs may provide additional funding for employment related services.  or

Students must want to work!  No previous work experience required  Level of disability does not matter  Want to leave school with a job  Willing to work with employment consultant

School-to-Work Orientation Step-by-Step: 8 Steps

Step 1 Orientation and Trainings  KCDDD requires that each student’s parent, guardian, or key residential support person (primary support) receive basic information about the program. (This is it!)  S2W uses a team approach, involving the primary support system.  Each team player needs to understand their role on the team and what to expect in the last year of school.

Step 1 (continued) Orientation and Trainings The student’s primary support person is also required to learn about: SSA Benefits and Work Long-Term Support and Funding Applicants will be notified when these training opportunities arise.

Step 2 Apply to Participate in S2W Complete S2W application and submit it to either the S2W Project Manager or Teacher/ IEP manager The S2W application will be available online after the orientation.

Step 2 (continued) Apply to Participate in S2W S2W Project Manager verifies eligibility Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be accepted Apply early to avoid delays in beginning services

Step 3 Choose an Agency Students work with an Employment Consultant from a Supported Employment Agency*. Check with your teacher. Some school programs have students choose their own agency who will assign an employment consultant. Some school programs have chosen the employment consultant for their students. *Supported Employment Agencies are also called Vendors, or Providers.

Step 3 (continued) Choosing an Agency How to Choose an Employment Agency The Agency must be contracted with KCDDD.  See list of contracted providers.  Review handout: Choosing a VendorChoosing a Vendor Interview at least 3 agencies. Remember the Agency is also interviewing you, and it is important to find a good fit.

Step 3 (continued) Choosing an Agency Student/ Agency Agreement Form The decision to work with an agency is made formal by completing this form. The start date listed for services triggers KCDDD to paying agency during that month.

Step 4 Team Planning Meeting The S2W team comes together at a planning meeting within the first two months of school.

Step 4 (continued) Planning Meeting Key Team members to invite:  Student  Parent (s)/ guardian/ residential support person  School staff  Employment Consultant  DVR Counselor  DDD Case Manager  Other significant people

Step 4 (continued) Planning Meeting Discuss and develop a plan for the next three months. Areas of interest Prior work experiences Strengths Support needs Motivating Activities Accommodations Assistive Technology Transportation Ideal Schedule Ideal work environment Communication Style Health and stamina Hygiene/ appearance Physical limitations Behavioral challenges Other relevant factors Existing Resources Network of possibilities

Step 4 (continued) Planning Meeting Examples of employment services: Person-Centered Career Planning Discovery Process Assessment/ Trial Work Experience Job Development Job Training

Step 4 (continued) Summary of Planning Meeting 1. Set goals 2. Decide next steps 3. Discuss roles, responsibilities, and timelines 4. Establish a team communication strategy 5. Set date for next review meeting

Step 5 Review Meeting  About 3 months after the Initial Planning Meeting  Review discoveries  Refine employment goals  Create a more detailed picture of a student’s potential schedule after June.

Step 6 Job Placement  Job placement could happen at any time; It can take a month, It can take a year or more.  Students stay enrolled in school even if they get a job Students may lose their first job, School may provide additional training, support and district resources, SSA Work Incentives may be available for students

Step 6 (continued) Job Placement  In 2008, 73% of S2W participants got jobs. Hours/ week ranged from Average hours/ week was 12. See employers who have hired S2W participants. OUTCOMES

Disclaimer Participating in the S2W project does not guarantee that a student will leave school with a job. Even if barriers to employment remain, participants will be connected to key agencies in the adult service system and may continue on their job search for as long as it takes.

Step 7 Benefits Planning When a student begins working DVR and KCDDD provide benefits planning services to individuals. Review individual benefits. Explain how earned income will impact a student’s benefits during and after school. Clarify responsibilities about reporting earned income.

Step 8: Identify Support Needs & Funding Options after School Meet to discuss possible need for “long-term support” services after school-to-work. Learning new tasks Ongoing support needs Turnover of managers/ coworkers Advocate for career advancement Foster/ maintain natural supports

Step 8 (continued) Long-Term Supports and Funding Review funding options for long-term support services. Waiver Transition Proviso Private Pay SSA Work Incentives King County Service Access Program

Disclaimer  Funding is not guaranteed after school for S2W participants.  KCDDD is committed to helping identify and explore funding resources.  This may include private payment.

Project Partners: A Team Approach

7. Employment Agency

King County Developmental Disabilities Division (KCDDD)  School-to-Work Project (age 21) Coordination/ Orientation/ Enrollment Partner/ Contract with schools, supported employment agencies, DVR Coordinate training and technical assistance for families, educators, providers  Adult Services (ages 21 and older) Manage long-term support contracts Employment Resource Coordination Provide Benefits Planning Coordinate training and technical assistance for providers and families

Schools Refer students to program Provide educational services according to transition plan in IEP Developing work skills Building a resume with a variety of community based work experiences Participate in S2W meetings Collaborate with employment consultant on work goals

Student Want to start working during their last year of school Work with employment consultant to increase skills and independence on the job Commit to the rules of the work place around schedule changes, etc.

Parents/ Providers Attend S2W trainings Connect with key agencies Support goal of employment- sign agreement sign agreement Work clothes Independent routines Coordinate transportation Open communication Network to find job opportunities Participate in key meetings Receive Benefit Analysis

Employment Agencies Contracted with KCDDD to collaborate with schools to help students leave school with jobs. Examples of services: Assessment Job Development Job Training Develop Natural Supports Provide long-term employment supports

WA State DDD Case/ Resource Managers Employment Related Manage the authorization of state funds for services Facilitate request for long- term employment funding Beyond Employment Information on other community resources CARE Assessment for Medicaid Personal Care hours

WA State DVR Counselors Participate in planning meetings, and oversee the development and implementation of employment services Key Funding Partner Short-term funding source Refer for Benefits Planning, Assistive Technology, Independent Living Resources Other services related to employment success

Technical Assistance/ Training and other Resources O’Neill and Associates: TA and training to schools; Coordinate Transition Fairs ARC of King County: Information and Referral Parent-to Parent Parent Coalition WISE: TA & Training Work Study Students Newsletter You-tube videos

Timelines The last year will go by quickly; take note of these important dates!

Important Dates 18-month timeline January - June (before last year)  Apply to DDD if needed By January 31  Apply to DVR By March 31  S2W Orientation: by April 30  Apply to S2W: by May 31  Choose a vendor: by June 30 Last year of school  Explore summer work options July - August  Planning Meeting July - October  Review Meeting by January 31  Find paid employment As soon as possible, or by June 30 (goal).

Questions?

King County School-to-Work Project