Getting Out of the Valley of Unemployment How to “Pardner up” your TBI Job Seeker and Employer Nancy Freeman & Joe Lewis CTAT

What is a TBI? A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. TBI is a life long process, not an event

The Brain Brains are 3 lbs of gooey, slimy, wobbly gelatinous, blue cheese smelling organ Brains operate 24 hours per day If the brain does not receive blood for 10 seconds it becomes unconscious Brains use 20% of the oxygen we breath Brains have over 100 billion neurons that send messages to the body Brains peak at age 20 Brains are 60% fat

How many people have a TBI? 1.4 million people sustain TBI in U.S. annually 50,000 die; 235,000 hospitalized; 1.1 million treated and released from emergency departments of hospitals Every 11 minutes someone has a TBI (How many from bull riding? Unknown)

Needs Created by Injury CDC estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans currently have a lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living due to a TBI 40% of TBI survivors had at least one unmet need for services post injury Average time between injury and seeking DVR services is 9 years TBI can create epilepsy, Parkinson’s, drug confusion, depression, drug and alcohol addictions Funding and supplemental financial need occur post injury Acceptance of self as a different person Pain control Understanding of success of other TBI Survivors

My Achy Breaky Unemployed Heart ♥Increased substance abuse ♥Increased physical problems ♥Increased behavior issues ♥Reduced self-esteem ♥Loss of social contacts ♥Alienation and apathy (Warr, 1987)

“95.9% of people with TBI say their unmet need is finding work.” Corrigan et. Al., 2004 The Valley of Doom = Not Working

TBI + Employment = Self Esteem Employment enhances a person’s self esteem and contributes to quality of lifeRelationshipsProductivitySocialization

Feeling at Home on the Job Accommodations for TBI EC/Counselors dedication to partnership & placement - 50/50 Transportation – Where’s my horse? Schedule – fatigue management Interview techniques Needs – physical, environmental, emotional Self-Esteem – ensure success Social training (place and train) Exhibit positive attitude toward work

Even the Lone Ranger had a Sidekick ! Considerations Knowledge of schedule/To do list Good sleep habits, fatigue management Neuropsychological/physical factors Predictor Variables – JS with high levels of coping and low levels of hopelessness are more likely to RTW successfully TBI Job Seeker’s interest and passion VR Services – employment services are more important than all other variables Natural supports – relationship with employer

There’s more than one way to Break a Horse Finding Jobs Similar to Pre-injury Tasks that have worked in the past lead to current job leads Brain storm job leads that are real jobs (Filth, Folding, Flowers, Fast Food & Filing) What works/ What doesn’t work

Determinants of Outcome How to Reach the Peak of the Mountain Pre-injury Personality Characteristics (biological/social) How healthy is the TBI (schedule & exercise) Type and Severity of Neurological Injury Type and Severity of Bodily injury Diagnosis (Alcohol & Drug use) Support System (Cowpokes from the barn) Belief in Recovery and acceptance of self

Determinants of Outcome (continued) Ability to learn (WIT Model) Desire to Return to Work (RTW) Community Services Available - VR, EC Combining medical and alternative models, treatment paradigms, environment & rehabilitation Educational attainment pre-injury Litigation and Insurance Status

Employment Strategy Planning Network – Don’t be left in the Outhouse Everything is built on relationship How can you develop relationship with Job Seeker and Employer Meet with 5 potential Employers per week Assign action - use network and team Practice social skills and interviewing Place TBI Job Seeker Create Natural Supports

What to say Once you Get Your in the Door Create a script of about 10 seconds 1.The first words out of their mouth when meeting employers for the first time 2.Free of Jargon, Acronyms & Confusion 3.What is your Job Seeker’s story – why are they there (likeability) 4.What can they do for the employer you are both talking to – benefits 5.Practice, Practice, Practice!!

Believe in Your Job Seeker! “You have to believe when no one else does. That’s what makes you a winner.” Venus Williams