2. King County Developmental Disabilities Division School-to-Work (S2W) Program Orientation Developed by: Kelley Faulkner, Project Manager

3. S2W Orientation Outline  What Comes Next?  Program Overview and Partners  Eligibility Criteria  Steps in Time with S2W  Questions  Application

4. S2W Orientation What Comes Next?

5. Approaching The last year of school  What will the week look like when school is no longer in the picture?  What will your student be doing next July?  How will your daily routines change?  What resources are available through the adult system and how can your student access them?

6. Have you considered employment? Typical and age appropriate Benefits the individual Benefits the community

7. Employment Questions What are your student’s employment goals? Unique skills Ideal work environment Support needs Accommodations Hopes Concerns What resources are available? How can you make the most of the last year of school to help your student find a good job match?

8. Many minds come together The School-to-Work Team works together to answer these questions. Guiding Principles: Community Inclusion Regardless of “Level of Disability” One person, one job “Individual Employment”

9. School-to-Work Orientation Program Overview And Partners

10. History S2W began in 2005 as a King County initiative to address the gap between school and work and improve collaboration between the school and adult service systems. In response to community feedback about Confusion Frustration Loss of skills and motivation Finding a job took years

11. Local Leadership, Resources and Coordination Ray Jensen, Director of KCDDD Transition as a priority Allocated KC Millage* funds Assigned staff to develop a program Outcome Focused: Paid Jobs *Millage funds are a percentage of County revenue from property taxes designated to address systemic barriers to service delivery.

12. Unique Features of S2W 1. Employment Outcome Focused: The main goal of the program is to help students leave school with a paid job that continues beyond June. 2. Starting Early: Connect students to adult agencies while they are still in school. 3. Team Approach: Employment consultants work with students as part of their transition team in their last year of school. Educators, and parents (or primary support people) are integral in the employment planning and job search process.

13. A wealth of supportive partners Working with KCDDD, the following partners have made S2W a nationally recognized program. Supported Employment Agencies School Districts WA State Division of Developmental Disabilities WA State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance, Training and Advocacy Organizations Parents, or primary support people Students Community Employers

14. Project Partners: A Team Approach Student’s Job with Community Employer 2. School 3. Student 4. Parent/ Primary Support 5. WA State DDD 6. WA State DVR 7. Employment Agency 8. TA/ Training/ Advocacy 9. Community Employer 1. King County DDD

15. King County Developmental Disabilities Division (KCDDD) School-to-Work/ Employment Resource Coordinators S2W Outreach/ Enrollment Manage contracts with project partners Oversee funding of S2W services Training on Social Security Benefits & Work Benefits Planning Exploring Funding Strategies

16. School Districts Auburn Bellevue Enumclaw Federal Way Highline Issaquah Kent Lake Washington Mercer Island Northshore Renton Riverview Seattle Shoreline Snoqualmie Valley Tahoma Tukwila Vashon  Refer students  Manage IEPs/ Transition Plans  Develop Work Skills  Prepare for Life After School  Integral part of S2W Team

17. Supported Employment Agencies

18. Department of Social and Health Services Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Key member of S2W Team Key funding partner Case/ Resource Managers Coordinate long-term support and other programs/ resources as funding is available

19. Technical Assistance, Training & Advocacy Organizations Information & Referral Line Parent-to Parent Parent Coalition Legislative Forum TA & Training Transition Resource Fairs Business Development Group TA & Training Work Study Students “Insights” Monthly Newsletter People Working Stories

20. Wait a minute … Who’s Who?! Who Does What?! How am I supposed to keep all of this straight?! Hang in there… it will start to make sense.

21. What does S2W look like? Some things stay the same…  School provides educational services  Preparing students for post-secondary goals (work). Some things change….  Adult agency staff are involved  Lots of team meetings- preparing for life after school  Focus on finding a job before leaving school  Working with Employment Consultants Trying a variety of community work experiences Develop resumes/ Interview for real jobs Increasing independence Using public transportation Meeting employer expectations

22. Primary Support Person  Learn about and connect with the adult services early  Participate in S2W meetings  Support reasonable risks  Be a partner in job development  Give responsibilities, chores, and allowance at home  Teach about work, the value of money and how to save  Help students prepare for work related activities by looking tidy and being on time

23. Students  Want to work  Good attendance/ show up on time  Variety of community experiences  Communicate with Employment Consultant  Positive social skills  Willing to try new things

24. School-to-Work Orientation Eligibility Criteria  WA State DDD client  King County Resident  Enrolled in School  Wants to work  Date of Birth Range  Eligible for DVR  Students are strongly encouraged to apply for SSA benefits, but can participate without them.

25. Client of WA State Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)  Call (206) 568-5700 to see if your student is an active client and if they have a case/ resource manager.  Apply as soon as possible; at least 18 months before a student is scheduled to exit school services.  Eligibility criteria online: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/eligible.shtml http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/eligible.shtml

26. King County Resident  If you don’t reside in King County, talk to your local County to learn how to access employment services.

27. Enrolled in School  Students must maintain enrollment in a participating School District. Currently most school districts in King County are participating in S2W. Ask your teacher or the King County S2W Coordinator if you are not sure.

28. The student wants to work.  No previous work experience is required  Level of disability does not matter  Must want to leave school with a job  Must be willing to work with an employment consultant

29. Date of Birth School YearDate of Birth Range 2011 – 20129-1-90 through 8-31-91 2012 – 20139-1-91 through 8-31-92 2013 – 20149-1-92 through 8-31-93 2014 - 20159-1-93 through 8-31-94 If appropriate, stay in school through age 21

30. Customer of WA State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)  Call (800) 637-5627 to find your local office and schedule an intake appointment  Apply at least 18 months before students are scheduled to exit school services  Visit website to review services and eligibility criteria http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dvr/Default.aspx http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dvr/Default.aspx

31. Apply for Benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA)  Highly encouraged; not required  Cash and medical benefits  Work incentive programs may provide additional funding for employment related services.  1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.govwww.ssa.gov

32. School-to-Work Orientation Step in Time with S2W

33. S2W Steps and Ideal Timeline StepActivitiesTimeline 1S2W Orientation, Training, Applications January – April before last year of school (apply to DDD, DVR, S2W) 2Choose an AgencyApril – June before last year of school; (cut off date- October 31) 3Team Planning MeetingWithin 2 months of working with an Agency 4Work Assessment/ Discovery Process 3 - 4 months after planning meeting 5Team Review MeetingBy the end of February 6Job Placement and Training Services At any time- whenever a good job match is found 7Benefits PlanningA month after first day of employment 8Long-Term Support Planning Between February and June of exit year

34. Step 1 Orientation and Trainings StepDateActivities 1January – April before last year of school S2W Orientation, Applications, Trainings (apply to DDD, DVR, S2W) S2W Orientation/ Applications Apply to S2W Apply to DDD Apply to DVR Apply to SSA Trainings Offered at KC Transition Fairs SSA Benefits and Work* Long-Term Support/ Funding* Guardianship, Wills, Trusts** Planning a Full Day** *S2W Required Training ** S2W Recommended Training

35. Step 2 Choose an Agency StepDateActivities 2April – June before last year of school; cut off date- October 31 Choose an Agency* Check with your teacher to see if your student needs to choose an Agency. If so… Interview 3 agencies; Refer to handout: “Choosing a Vendor” Talk to teachers, parents, DVR Remember… Interviews go both ways Services are not an entitlement Recommended Timeline: Start in the spring, Decide by June

36. Finalize the Decision and Choose a Start Date  Deciding to Work Together Sign the “Student/ Agency Agreement Form” Determine Start Date: July 1 – October 31  Summer Services No “summer job program” Vary by Agency  Trial Work Experiences/ Assessment  Discovery Process

37. Step 3 Team Planning Meeting The S2W Team plans services together. Key Team Members: Student Primary Support Person School staff Employment Consultant DVR Counselor DDD Case Manager Other significant people StepActivitiesIdeal Timeline 3Team Planning MeetingWithin 2 months of working with an Agency

38. Step 3 (continued) Team Planning Meeting Discuss and develop a plan for the next three months. Areas of interest Prior work experiences Strengths Support needs Motivating Activities Accommodations Assistive Technology Transportation Ideal Schedule Ideal work environment Communication Style Health and stamina Hygiene/ appearance Physical limitations Behavioral challenges Existing Resources Social Network Other relevant topics

39. Step 3 (continued) Team Planning Meeting Employment Services and Terms: Person-Centered Planning Discovery Process Assessment/ Trial Work Experience Job Development Job Training Developing Natural Supports Fading Pathway to Employment Employment expectations Increase Independence Increase Stamina Practice Using Public Transportation Behavior and Attire Appropriate to Work Place

40. Step 3 (continued) Summary of Planning Meeting 1. Set goals for next three months 2. Decide next steps 3. Discuss roles 4. Assign responsibilities 5. Establish timelines 6. Develop communication strategy 7. Schedule next review meeting

41. Step 4 Assessment/ Discovery Process  Implementation of the plan developed at the Team Meeting.  Learning through observation, assessment, and work-related activities.  Collaboration between school and agency staff. StepActivitiesIdeal Timeline 4Work Assessment/ Discovery Process 3 - 4 months after planning meeting

42. Step 5 Team Review Meeting  3 months after Team Planning Meeting  Review Discoveries  Refine Employment Goals  Create a more detailed picture of a student’s potential schedule after June StepActivitiesTimeline 5Team Review MeetingBy the end of February

43. Step 6 Job Placement  Job placement could happen at any time; It can take a month It can take a year or more The key is finding a good match  Students stay enrolled in school even if they get a job Students may lose their first job, School may provide additional training, support and district resources, SSA Work Incentives may be available for students StepActivitiesTimeline 6Job Placement/ TrainingAt any time before June

44. Step 6 Job Placement  Intensive Training  Developing Natural Supports  Fading  Identifying Long-term support needs

45. Step 6 (continued) Job Placement in perspective  National employment rates for adults with developmental disabilities are reported between 7 – 35%  Hours/ week ranged from 2 - 40.  Average hours/ week was 12. OUTCOMES Exit Year% S2W Participants Working within 6 months of exit date 2006 2007 200873% 200953% 2010X%

46. Disclaimer Participating in S2W does not guarantee that a student will leave school with a job. Even if obstacles to employment remain, participants will be connected to key agencies in the adult service system and may continue to work towards their employment goal.

47. Step 7 Benefits Planning When a student begins working DVR & KCDDD provide individual benefits planning services. Clarify responsibilities about reporting earned income. Explain how earned income will impact a student’s benefits during and after school. StepActivitiesTimeline 7Benefits PlanningA month after job placement

48. Step 8: Identify Support Needs & Funding Options after School Meet to discuss possible need for “long-term support” services after School-to-Work. Natural Support and Paid Support  Learning new tasks  Ongoing support needs  Turnover of managers/ coworkers  Advocate for career advancement  Foster/ maintain natural supports StepActivitiesTimeline 8Long-Term Support Planning Between February and June of exit year

49. Step 8 (continued) Long-Term Supports and Funding Review funding options for long- term support services. Waiver State-Funded Transition Proviso Private Pay Money in a Special Needs Trust SSA Work Incentives Other grant and government funding (as available)

50. Disclaimer  Funding is not guaranteed after school for S2W participants.  KCDDD is committed to helping identify and explore funding resources.  This may include private payment.

51. Timelines The last year will go by quickly; take note of these important dates! StepActivitiesTimeline 1S2W Orientation, Training, Applications January – April before last year of school (apply to DDD, DVR, S2W) 2Choose an AgencyApril – June before last year of school; (cut off date- October 31) 3Team Planning MeetingWithin 2 months of working with an Agency 4Work Assessment/ Discovery Process 3 - 4 months after planning meeting 5Team Review MeetingBy the end of February 6Job Placement/ TrainingAt any time 7Benefits PlanningA month after job placement 8Long-Term Support Planning Between February and June of exit year

52. Questions?

53. Employment Success Stories Washington Initiative for Supported Employment has collected hundreds of videos highlighting people with developmental disabilities working successfully in your community. Need to see it to believe it? http://peopleworking.wikispaces.com/

54. Keep in mind  Finding a job takes time  Be Persistent and Patient with the Process  Matching student’s interests, skills and support needs with an employer’s business needs  Personal connections help  First jobs can lead to Dream jobs  Helping someone find a job is one thing.  Helping someone keep a job is another thing.  Work is important, but only part of the puzzle for most students.  Most recent graduates are working part time.  Plan for other community and social activities.

55. Final Checklist 1. Get your Applications in: 1. DDD 2. DVR 3. S2W 2. Get information and trainings 1. S2W Orientation- online/ Transition Fairs 2. SSA Benefits and Work- Transition Fairs/ ARC 3. Funding Employment Supports- Transition Fairs 4. Guardianships/ Wills/ Trusts- Transition Fairs 5. Planning a Full Day- Transition Fairs 3. Choose a Vendor 4. Planning Meting 5. Assessment/ Discovery 6. Review Mtng 7. Job Placement 8. Benefits Planning 9. Long-Term Funding

56. King County School-to-Work Project