It’s All About The Coach! The Coaches guide to independence in the workplace!

ICE BREAKER: On the Job Training

I DO!

WE DO!

I YOU DO!

Characteristics of a Job Coach  Creator  Investigator  Personal Stylist  Advocator  Expert

Creator  Think outside the box  Modifying job task  Adaptive equipment

Bag Challenge Job Task: Brent received a job at Natural Scents where he is a Packer. Brent weighs bottles and caps before placing them into large zip block bags. Brent must seal the large zip block bags to avoid spillage and mistakes before his work is considered complete. Situation: Brent is performing well on his job however, the Job Coach has realized that Brent cannot seal the large zip block bags. The Job Coach has to seal bags for Brent once is work is packed. This is a problem because the Job Coach needs to figure out how to get Brent to seal bags independently. After practice and observation the Job Coach has also realized that due to Brent not applying enough pressure with his fingers, is the reason why Brent cannot seal bags. Activity: Using the items provided, be creative in deciding how you can close this bag. There’s more ways than one!

Investigator  Check out the scene  Observe coworkers  Get to know the rhythm and attitude of the workplace  Social Inclusion  Clocking in and out

I can’t relate! Chris is an individual who works at a law firm as a receptionist. Chris works in a small office with four other employees: Laura – recently engaged Samantha – married with three kids George – a new grandfather Jim – recently divorced and dating

Chris lives in a group home with three other roommates. Outside of work Chris attends dances and social clubs provided by her agency. At work, Chris has a 30 minute lunch break where all of her coworkers eat together in the conference room. This is a time when Chris feels left out. Laura is frequently talking about planning her wedding, Samantha is talking about the chaos in her house with her three kids, George is so proud to be a grandfather, and Jim is always talking about his dating life. Chris is unable to relate in lunchtime conversations because she can’t understand life outside of her group home. This also makes Chris feel upset because she wants to date, get married, and have children one day. Chris is not included in lunchtime conversations therefore, she often eats her lunch quickly and returns to work.

The Job Coach has begun the fading process where she checks on Chris twice a week to assure that Chris is performing well. During a visit with Chris, Chris brought up the issue that she’s been facing with feeling left out during lunchtime conversations. Some of Chris’s coworkers have also spoke with the Job Coach about Chris not being social during lunch breaks. George said “Chris doesn’t talk at all during lunch. Her behavior makes us feel like she doesn’t like us.” Activity As Chris’s Job Coach, how would you help her during lunchtime to feel included during conversations?

Advocator  Think fast  Address your concerns professionally  Remember to be the Job Coach and not the employee

Speak up… speak out!!! Situation: Matt just received employment at Hungry Burger as a busser. Matt is in training with his manager and Job Coach. During training the Job Coach notices that the manager is speaking directly to him and not to Matt who will be working at Hungry Burger. During the training after the manager explained a job task the manager looked at the Job Coach and said “Does he have any questions?” Matt can speak and is able to understand direction. Activity: As a Job Coach, how would you handle this situation?

Expert Know your individual!  What motivates them  What upsets them  When is a break needed  Be patient

Think fast! Matt has been employed at Hungry Burger for about two weeks as a busser. The Job coach has to pick Matt up from home each day and drop him off. Matt has to be at work at 2:00pm and the Job Coach picks Matt up at 1:30pm to get Matt to work on time. One day when the Job Coach arrived to Matt’s house Matt came out of his house wearing the same shirt from the night before that had the same stains on it. It was obvious that Matt didn’t wash his clothes from the night before. Matt also appeared to just be waking up. Matt had bed hair, bad hygiene, and didn’t appear to be ready for work. When Matt got in the car Matt explained that he was so tired from working the night before that he went to bed in his work clothes and didn’t have time to shower. Side Note: Matt was given two work shirts during orientation. Matt MUST where khaki pants and non-slip shoes.

Activity: As Matt’s Job Coach, what would you do? Remember you only have 30 minutes to get Matt to work.

As a Job Coach, I AM… AN INVESTIGATOR A MENTOR AN ADVOCATE A JANITOR A DISHWASHER A HOUSEKEEPER A SECRETARY A TEACHER A COACH A STYLIST A MACHINIST A COOK A DRIVER AN INNOVATOR A LISTENER A VOICE A MOTIVATOR A NURSE

Thank you! JESSICA TAYLOR AND JASMIN BECKWITH