Understanding the Needs of Participants: CDSS and the Disability Employment Grant August 12, 2004 SIATech Michelle McNevin Diane Fairchild

DEG DOL Employment And Training Administration Job Corps SIATech

What does it do? Provides guidance, support, and assistance to trainees enrolled in Job Corps that have a disability Implements training opportunities Allocates assistive technology equipment Increases retention among trainees with disabilities

Creating Parallels with CDSS OA: Participant needs identified Staff prepare for participants arrival CPP: Participant meets support staff Set goals Assure needs are meet CDP: Job Coach meets with participants monthly Job Coach works with numerous departments to ensure participants progress and success CTP: Report completer progress for one year Supply assistive technology as needed

Program Highlights Identified five sites as DEG centers  Inland Empire Job Corps Center, San Bernardino, CA  San Diego Job Corps Center, San Diego, CA  Phoenix Job Corps Center, Phoenix, AZ  Fred G. Acosta Job Corps Center, Tucson, AZ  Gainesville Job Corps, Gainesville, FL Assigned disability team coordinators, job coaches, and administrative assistants Alignment with CDSS process Accumulation of assistive technologies at DEG sites National presence made with development of “Multidisciplinary Approach to Serving Students with Disabilities” video, November 2003

Assistive Technology in Action

Assistive Technology Continued

Effects on Centers Grant renewed for PY 2004 Increase in retention of students with disabilities Disability teams beginning to play a larger role on centers Second national video created, “Connections” Increased job placements

In Addition Tracking system has been developed Participant Resource Binders dispersed Development of Community Connections Continued discovery of Assistive technologies

DEG Program Statistics Total Participants 7/2002-6/2004 : 416 Participants Overall Retention Level of: 60 % Overall Placements: 77 Average wage of Placements: $8.25 per hour

Contact Information Michelle McNevin DEG Grant Manager, SIATech (909) Diane Fairchild Director of Special Education, SIATech (760)