Customized Employment Supports Building Capacity in Wisconsin Employment First Conference May 22, 2018

Employment Project Coordinator Introductions ERI promotes and innovates services to advance employment, support personal choice, and enhance the well-being of people with disabilities. John Fuller ERI Services Director Mike Edwards Employment Project Coordinator Beth Wroblewski Executive Director Tell audience a bit about each of us professionally and who we work for – Maia 1st, Beth 2nd Then we’ll follow the same order to tell about ourselves personally.

Opportunity ERI applied for a capacity building grant through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) with a focus on increasing statewide capacity for Customized Employment Services in Wisconsin. Initial focus on youth in PROMISE. Offered start-up costs, as well as training and technical assistance.

Challenges – which are also Opportunities! Quick timeline to hire and train new staff. Growth into new areas of the State. Increasing access in more distant and rural areas. Quickly developing a sustainable business model.

Revised Position Description On-Boarding and Training Key Change Areas Revised Position Description Unique Interviews 100% Mentoring Key Areas to Consider for Successful Transitions Education Healthcare Employment Decision-Making Community Living On-Boarding and Training   Recruitment

Revised Position Description This could be the right opportunity for you if: You are comfortable connecting with employers, community partners, families and youth; You are eager to learn new approaches and ways to help people to understand how their strengths translate into meaningful employment; and You believe everyone can work and be included in their community.

Revised Position Description A Bachelor’s or Associate Degree in human services, education, business, paralegal or allied health field or equivalent training and experience required. …someone with strong communication and interpersonal skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to learn very specific information and requirements. able to creatively approach and work through challenging situations.

Revised Position Description Home-based position; Extensive travel throughout the area; Travel to ERI’s main office in Madison and satellite office in Milwaukee will be required regularly. Must: Hold a valid Wisconsin driver’s license; Prove personal auto liability insurance meets Wisconsin’s minimum requirement; Pass and maintain clearance related to criminal, caregiver and sex offender background check requirements; and Be capable using a computer and business software.

Recruitment Indeed Posting – included use of their screening interview questions Tech Connect: https://www.wisconsintechconnect.com/ ERI Website Word of Mouth

Unique Interview Questions Why is employment significant for a person with a disability? This position will require you to engage with employers and community members to develop jobs for the people we serve. You’re at a local Job Fair, please tell us how you would introduce yourself and engage with the employer to learn more about their business. Used these questions to emphasize that 50% is client work and 50% is employer relationships.

Results: Great Diversity Parent with Direct Life Experience Restaurant Owner Higher Education Environmental Educator Results: Great Diversity Employment Specialist Transportation and Logistics Health Clinic Manager Special Educator Business Background

Onboarding and Training Many staff are new to the DVR and Long-Term Care language and abbreviations. Orientation to Technical Specifications and Waiver requirements. All received Customized Employment training, even staff with experience: VCU – two day and full on-line course TransCen – three day intensive with real life assignments. PROMISE Grant Supports

Team Work and Support

100% Mentoring The Grant includes Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute staff: Beth Gaertner and Jeff Lund Shannon Webb Experienced ERI Team Members

Mentoring Working as a Team Weekly Clinical Staffing One-to-One Mentor Sessions Partnering with Client meetings Planning for the Next Steps with the Job-Seeker

Customized Employment Customized Employment is a flexible process designed to personalize the employment relationship between a job candidate or employee and an employer in a way that meets the needs of both. It is based on identifying the strengths, conditions, and interests of a job candidate or employee through a process of discovery.

Work is valued in our society and leads to valued roles. Work increases your income. Without earned income, many people with disabilities live at a poverty level. People can work, keep public benefits and use benefits to reach work goals. High expectations make a difference. Employment   individuals with disabilities are able to achieve competitive integrated employment outcomes.

Customized Employment Discovery: Gather information from the job seeker and their network about interests, skills, and preferences related to work. Employment Planning: Brainstorm a list of potential employers. Job Development and Negotiation: Match the job seeker to an employer that will benefit from their unique skills – Customized Position. Post-Employment Support: Ongoing supports as needed, continued career planning, monitor the employment relationship to ensure everyone’s satisfaction. Customized Employment is a process-driven concept with four essential components.

Discovery

We hope to learn: Things the job seeker likes to do. Dreams and goals. Discovery We hope to learn: Things the job seeker likes to do. Dreams and goals. Talents, skills and knowledge. Any work experiences– paid or volunteer. How do they learn best? Positive traits. Environments – from best to worst (deal breakers). Challenges or accommodations.

How we learn: Home Visits Neighborhood Observations Discovery How we learn: Home Visits Neighborhood Observations Familiar Activities Novel activities Collateral Interviews Record Review

Visioning and Planning for the Future Employment Planning Visioning and Planning for the Future

We hope to learn: Possible Contacts. Employment Planning We hope to learn: Possible Contacts. The job-seeker’s Supporters/Circle. Intersection of interests and skills = new possibilities. When the job-seeker sparkles/lights up. Any ah-ha observations. Who can meet with us to think outside of the box?

Meet with the Job-seeker’s Network: Employment Planning Meet with the Job-seeker’s Network: Supporters and the jobseekers network. Generate five-six potential job ideas given the person’s interests and skills. Brainstorm a list of employers that would be a great match. Who do you know?? Plan next steps. Use network to find connections to possible employers.

Connection to Employers   We offer valued services to Employers.

Connection to Employers We meet Employer’s Needs Efficient/Lean Processes Hire and Retain Dedicated Employees On-site Training and Coaching Support for the Life of the Job Connection to Employers

Connection to Employers Getting to Know the Employer Informational Interview Job Shadow or Tour Employer Contact through Networking Job Seeker Meeting Worksite Visit

Post Employment Supports Support for the life of the job.

Post Employment Supports Commitment to the Employer Identify their business needs; Provide referrals of employees to meet needs; Create customized positions that benefit the business; Assist with on-boarding, training and ongoing support of employees; Work your staff and supervisors to ensure the success of the new employee and the business; and At no cost to you as the person’s employer.

Post Employment Supports Commitment to the Employer Services are not time-limited, rather they are based on the employer and new employee needs; As managers have confidence in the new employee’s abilities, our involvement slowly fades. We provide follow-up services for the employer and the individual for the life of the job. If in the future, there are new responsibilities, or performance issues, then we return to provide additional services.

Post Employment Supports Success for the Employee Support to learn new job duties and changes to the employment routine; Address challenges that may arise; Continue to look for opportunities to grow skills and advance the person’s career.

Thank you! www.eri-wi.org 608-246-3444