Discovery: Finding the Passion to Facilitate Successful Employment The touchstone of customization: Who is this person? Marc Gold & Associates

People’s lives are complex, so let’s discover Discovery: to gain insight or knowledge of something previously unseen or unknown; to notice or realize; to make known, reveal, disclose Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 The Iceberg Analogy of Discovery What we usually know about the people we try to assist We need to know much more Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 The role of discovery Discovery provides, in a non-traditional, common-sense form, the information needed to determine the strengths, needs, and interests of any person with complex life issues. This is accomplished by simply addressing the question, “Who is this person?” Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Discovery and Customization These are compatible concepts that are used sequentially to facilitate employment for individuals who might otherwise not achieve employment. Discovery provides the foundation information for individuals that is then used to customize a position with an employer. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 Need for Discovery Too often, approaches to person-centered planning presume that having the right people participate in a plan is sufficient to “know” the individual. Discovery is often assumed, we think “what we see is what they’ve got.” Information on an individual is often disjointed, different people have different parts of the “puzzle.” Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 Discovery allows us to determine who the applicant is, their complexities, and potential contributions to employers. Responsibilities Hobbies Discovery Process Interest Areas Complexities Transportation Challenges Skills Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Discovery and Traditional Assessment Discovery seeks to identify already-existing information rather than developing information solely for the purposes of evaluation. Identifying a direction for employment is based on information obtained from the person's entire life and not from an instance of performance. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Discovery and Traditional Assessment The discovery process focuses more on ecological validity than predictive validity.  It is more important that the direction to employment makes sense in relation to a person's life than to attempt to predict success based on test performance.  The information of discovery is used only as a guide for matching and customization and may not used to systematically exclude a person from employment. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Discovery and Traditional Assessment The use of discovery frees the individual from the necessity of taking standardized or norm-referenced tests to prove their readiness. Readiness to begin work is assumed for all applicants. The profile strategy seeks to empower and involve applicants, their families and friends rather than to exclude them. Natural, common sense approaches to employment are given priority over strategies which rely solely on professional judgment and service. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Approaches to Discovery Discovery can either be: 1. Facilitated by someone else, typically an employment professional Who is he? Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Approaches to Discovery 2. Part of a group experience These guys will help me discover myself It’s a two way street Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Approaches to Discovery 3. Accomplished through “self-discovery” Who am I? Individuals can “paint” their own picture of who they are. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 Who is Marci? Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

The assistance she needs for mobility Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Transportation assistance Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 Family supports Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

How we know what she doesn’t like Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Picking up her medicine Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Applying for a debit card Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Meeting the Starbucks manager Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

When is Marci “present?” Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

The tools of Facilitated Discovery The tools of facilitated discovery can be intuitive and informal, but they are also the time-honored tools of qualitative researchers: interview and conversation, observation and time together, review of existing information and organization of newly discovered information. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Strategies for Facilitated Discovery Participation with the applicant in activities both familiar and novel Finally, Review of records Conversation Interview Time together Observation Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Additional Strategies for Facilitated Discovery When above strategies are not sufficient: Structured situational assessments or discrepancy analyses Targeted evaluations to answer specific questions Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 The “Who” of Discovery The person of concern Their family and loved ones Close and trusted friends Neighbors with good relationships Professionals who care Counselors Teachers Doctors Service providers Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

The “Where” of Discovery Home: Discovery starts where relationships start – at home Neighborhood Local Community Places where the person is “most who they are” School One-stop center Outdoors/Recreation Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

The “What” of Discovery Routines Relationships Responsibilities Challenges Associations Friendships Possible employers Shops and Services Tasks Solutions Connections Education Location Life performance The best aspects of the person Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Discovery strategies… The individual’s home: Set a time to visit the individual’s home with parents and family available. Before or after the meeting, drive throughout the immediate neighborhood for a radius of about 1/4 to ½ mile noting relevant dimensions. Meet with the individual and his/her parents or representatives at their home. The meeting should last from ½ hour to 1½ hours. Permission should be obtained, first, before visiting. Return to the individual’s home (2 -4 times) for additional information, unstructured conversation, observation and interviews. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Discovery strategies… Interviews with family, staff and others: Interview selected staff who have provided the person of concern with instruction and support. Contact advocates, neighbors and close friends of the individual to gain information concerning the person’s social life, skills, preferences and connections. Have both structured and informal conversations with the individual, as appropriate, to determine their perspectives. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Discovery strategies… Discovery in school and human service programs Focus on the individual of concern for observation as he/she participants in routine aspects of classroom activities. Hold a group sharing experience with peers that generates positive comments Implement a “unit” approach on discovery for students in the classroom Enlist the assistance of fellow staff and administrators to offer perspective on the individual. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

Discovery strategies… Observations and participation in the neighborhood and community: Observe the person in a sample of the activities – school, home & community -- that comprise the majority of his/her day. Accompany the person on planned community activities, both familiar and novel. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 For Jenni’s job, we were led by her enjoyment of helping her dad stuff envelopes Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 We learned that Sal enjoyed people and made them comfortable, even with his technology and his significant disability Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 We learned that Marci was “present” when her body was still and that she was still when hearing music Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 We learned that Glen and Otto insisted on working together. We also learned that Glen was “attached” to afternoon Soap Operas and that Otto rarely awoke before 11:00 AM. Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

We discovered Larry waited for the mailman every day at three o’clock… Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 We discovered Katherine made and served coffee at all family gatherings… Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

We discovered the men in Robert’s family were all woodworkers… Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999

We discovered that Kevin had always dreamed of being a club DJ… Marc Gold & Associates 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999