The Way to Work: Employment Preparation for Youth in Transition Richard Luecking, Ed.D. TransCen, Inc January 9, 2014

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © WORK IS GOOD!

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © # 1 Factor predicting post school career success: Work experience in secondary school

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Other prominent predictors of seamless transition to adult employment: Interagency collaboration:  Schools  Vocational Rehabilitation  Community Rehabilitation Providers  Other state agencies promoting employment Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Mental and Behavioral Health Youth and Family participation/involvement in planning

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Types of Work Experience Type Career exploration Job shadowing Work sampling Function Initial work exposure Work observation and exposure Job task sampling and exposure

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Types of Work Experience Type Service learning Internships Apprenticeships Function Work responsibility and follow through Intensive career prep Specific Occupational skills 6

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Types of Work Experience Type Paid work Part-time jobs Full-time jobs Related to course of study Adjunctive, e.g., after school, summer Function Build resume Continue to build skills I.D. workplace and career preferences Earn $$ 7

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Planning for Work Experience Disability disclosure: to disclose or not to disclose? Positive Personal Profile Employer contacts 8

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Guiding Principles of Planning All youth have unique talents Focus on talents and preferences, not deficits Youth should be empowered to take active role 9

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Guiding Principles of Planning Give families opportunities to weigh in Use multiple methods to collect information about youth Support youth as necessary 10

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © What employers want Competent and convenient assistance with youth referrals Matching youth skills and interests to job tasks Support in training and monitoring youth Disability information (when youth disclose) 11

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © How to give it to them Informational interviews Professional and responsive contact Clarify employer expectations about training, coaching, etc. 12

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © How to give it to them Model positive interaction and support Seek feedback and adjust support accordingly UNDER-PROMISE AND OVER-DELIVER!! 13

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Supporting students in the workplace Six steps to providing effective supports: 1. Clarify employer requirements 2. I.D. potential challenges and needs for support 3. Determine type, level, and amount of support 4. Develop individual support plan 5. Regular feed back to student 6. Evaluate and adjust support 14

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Some Examples 15

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A ©

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Kyndal at Sinai Hospital Loves to be with people Good interpersonal skills Has job in telecommunications department

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A ©

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A ©

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A ©

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Collaborations for employment 21

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Transition Partners and Collaborators Students and families Public School District Vocational Rehabilitation Community Rehabilitation Programs Ancillary Social Service Programs Employers

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © What does it take? Identifying points of success for all elements of the collaborators Flexible applications of governing regulations of collaborating systems

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Collaborations: What do schools need? Special education law compliance Collaboration to begin joint service BEFORE school exit

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Collaborations: What do funders need? Rehabilitation closures Employment goals met Bang for the buck!

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Collaborations: What do adult agencies need? Advance referrals – well before school exit Opportunity to get to know youth before school exit

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © What do youth and families need? Opportunities for self-directed transition plans Individualized, person centered service Responsive support JOBS!!!

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © The Ideal Youth are jointly served by school system and adult employment agencies BEFORE school exit.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © The Result: Seamless transition from students to employed adults

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Work is Good! Work experiences throughout secondary education years (early and often!) Paid work in authentic workplace settings during the years of formal education is the strongest predictor of post-school employment success. Collaboration helps make it happen

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Resource A practical guide, developed to help educators, transition specialists, and employment specialists facilitate individualized, person- centered work experiences and jobs for high school students and young adults with a wide range of disabilities. Available from TransCen, Inc.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Contact Information Richard Luecking, Ed.D. TransCen, Inc.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Questions? Comments?

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Register for Upcoming Webinars February 3 Work Experience Expectations February 26 Experiences with Transition and Work March 18 Work Experience Site Development April 24 Working with Youth in the Justice System May 15 Using technology with youth for employment

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Thank You

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Education Credits CRCC Credit (pending) By January 19th participants must score 80% or better on a online Post Test and submit an online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Southeast TACE Region IV Toll-free: (866) [voice/tty] Fax: (404) Web: TACEsoutheast.org MyTACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Disclaimer This presentation was developed by the TACE Center: Region IV ©2013 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR (b)].

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A ©