1. Discovery an Alternative to Assessment Norciva Shumpert Marc Gold & Associates Employment for All October 21, 2009

2. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 2 Finding the Direction to Facilitate Successful Employment

3. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 3 Determine EligibilityGuide to Employment  Career Development Traditional Assessment

4. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 4 The guide to customized employment: Discovery

5. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 5 Discovery and Traditional Procedures Discovery seeks to identify already-existing information rather than developing information solely for the purposes of evaluation or diagnosis.

6. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 6 Discovery and Traditional Procedures Identifying a direction for employment is based on information obtained from the person's entire life and not from an instance of performance.

7. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 7 Discovery and Traditional Procedures The discovery process focuses more on ecological validity than predictive validity. It is more important that the direction to employment makes sense in relation to a person's life than to attempt to predict success based on test performance.

8. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 8 Discovery and Traditional Procedures By implementing discovery, we try to identify the real complexities faced by the individual and attempt to negotiate and match employment that fits, rather than putting the burden of resolving complexities solely on the individual.

9. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 9 Discovery and Traditional Procedures Does not require testing to determine readiness--it assumes readiness No check list or numerical rating

10. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 10 Discovery and Traditional Procedures The profile strategy seeks to empower and involve applicants, their families and friends rather than to exclude them. Natural, common sense approaches to employment are given priority over strategies which rely solely on professional judgment and service.

11. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 11 Discovery and Traditional Procedures The information of discovery is used only as a guide for matching and customization and may not be used to systematically exclude a person from employment.

12. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 12 Who is Jenni?

13. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 13 Jenni Moves at Her Own Pace

14. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 14 Jenni Hugs Folks …

15. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 15 Jenni Continues Working …..

16. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 16 Jenni initiates her work

17. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 17 We Need to Discover Discovery: to gain insight or knowledge of something previously unseen or unknown; to notice or realize; to make known, reveal, disclose

18. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 18 The Iceberg Analogy of Discovery What we usually know about the people we try to assist We need to know much more

19. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 19 Discovery is often assumed, we think “what we see is what they’ve got.” Information on an individual is often disjointed, different people have different parts of the “puzzle.” Need for Discovery

20. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 20 Need for Discovery Complexity is like a fog, obscuring the best of who people are.  Discovery shows us the impact of life complexity on work.  When we discover rather than presume and diagnose, a useful description of a person starts to emerge.  Discovery shows possibilities and leads to things a person is motivated to do rather than to fears, negativity and deficits.

21. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 21 The Role of Discovery Discovery provides, in a non-traditional, common-sense form, the information needed to determine the strengths, needs, and interests of any person with complex life issues. This is accomplished by simply addressing the question, “Who is this person?”

22. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 22 A process that involves getting to know people, or helping them get to know themselves, before we help them plan. Spending time with applicants, instead of testing or evaluating them, as a means of finding out who they are. The best way to find out the best that people have to offer. A common-sense strategy to determine complexities and preferences. Discovery is…

23. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 23 A way to identify the unique contributions offered by those who might not compete as well as others. Enhanced when we get to know people in settings where they are most who they are. Not a plan, but the foundation of employment planning, that seeks to customize outcomes. Compatible with self-determination and customer choice. Discovery is…

24. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 24 Discovery can either be: 1. Facilitated by someone else, typically an employment professional Approaches to Discovery

25. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 25 2. Part of a group experience Approaches to Discovery

26. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 26 Approaches to Discovery 3. Accomplished through “self- discovery” Individuals can “paint” their own picture of who they are.

27. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 27 Approaches to Discovery 4. Supported through “Coached” Discovery Involves assisting an individual through both self and group discovery

28. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 28 Strategies for Facilitated Discovery Conversation Interview Time together Observation Participation with the applicant in activities both familiar and novel Finally, Review of records

29. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 29 Discovery = Translation The finesse of discovery is to identify typical aspects of life and to translate those activities into Conditions for success, Interests toward employment and potential Contributions to be offered to employers. Discovery is essentially an activity of translation.

30. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 30 Beyond Asking Asking works for some of the people some of the time. But…  Different people ask and get different answers.  People often tell us what they think we want to hear.  The same person can ask at different times and get different answers.  Too often, people simply do not have an accurate, thoughtful sound bite with which to answer such a question as important as “What do you want to do?”.

31. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 31 The “Who” of Discovery The person of concern Their family and loved ones Close and trusted friends Neighbors with good relationships Professionals who care  Counselors  Teachers  Case managers  Service providers

32. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 32 The “Where” of Discovery Home/Living Context: Discovery starts where relationships start – where we live Places where the person is “most who they are” Community  Familiar Place  Novel Place Where the person spends their day

33. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 33 A Process An optimistic, comprehensive, non competitive, descriptive, robust, and respectful narrative “picture” of the job seeker. Discovery: Who is Effrain?

34. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 34 Observation Skills What is the task? Describe the motivation/interest to do the task. What is the performance of the task? (Pace, correctness) Who do they do the task with? What supports are used during the task?

35. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 35 Focus on Performance Focus on observable behavior of the individual – the person’s performance. Since discovery is by nature an optimistic process, the focus should be on competence rather than on deficits. When an individual’s challenges threaten to compromise the chance for competent behavior, describe the actual behavior and the solutions that work.

36. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 36 Descriptiveness ► Competence By focusing on a description of the performance of the individual, without the evaluative lens of ourselves and others, we have a chance to begin to see possibilities for competence and skills that might be offered to employers. This is made possible due to the fact that descriptiveness gets at the concrete actions of the individual. These actions have a direct connection to tasks needed by employer.

37. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 37 “What” of Discovery Community Connections Description of the Applicant Summary of information from a work perspective Identify & Clarify the Characteristics of a Customized Working Situation

38. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 38 Discovery allows us to determine who the applicant is, their complexities, and potential contributions to employers.

39. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 39 Talking with Jenni Jenni communicates in short sentences. She takes a few minutes to get her thoughts put together and to express herself. People that know her understand what she says. New people may have to ask her to repeat herself. Given time, she will repeat herself and others will understand her. She repeats herself frequently.

40. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 40 Discovery finds the pieces and puts them together

41. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 41 Discovery facts Average hours required for Discovery = 20 hours (range 16-24 hrs) Average time frame for Discovery = 4 weeks (range 3 – 6 wks) We recommend a team effort of 2 – 3 members while learning discovery

42. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 42 We are all like pieces in a complex jig-saw puzzle Who is this person?

43. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 43 Why do Discovery? Understand how the person’s disability impacts their life. Develop a relationship that allows for discussion on “intimate” topics. Create a trust between you and the person/family to allow you to meet their community.

44. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 44 Why do Discovery? Identify the types of negotiations necessary to achieve outcomes Put the pieces of the puzzle together to form a specific plan To assure they are empowered with the insight of what they offer an employer

45. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 45 Discovery and Customization These are compatible concepts that are used sequentially to facilitate employment for job seekers who might otherwise not achieve employment. Discovery provides the foundation information of the job seeker that is translated into their “ideal characteristics of work” to guide customization.

46. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 46 Discovery is the foundation of planning for Customized Employment Planning for Customized Outcomes/ Relationship to the IPE Next Webinar November 18 th, 2009

47. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 47 Comments & Questions

48. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 48 Contact Information Norciva Shumpert Marc Gold & Associates- Employment for All 4101 Gautier-Vancleave Rd. Ste. 102, Gautier, MS 39553 (228) 497-6999 Email: norciva@gmail.com

49. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 49 THANK YOU!

50. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 50 Toll-free: (866) 518-7750 [voice/tty] Fax: (404) 541-9002 Web: TACEsoutheast.orgTACEsoutheast.org My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportalTACEsoutheast.org/myportal Email: tacesoutheast@law.syr.edutacesoutheast@law.syr.edu TACE Center: Region IV

51. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 51 Education Credit: CRCC & CEU DEADLINE: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 CRCC Credit (1.5)** 1.Login to MyTACE Portal. 2.Score 80% or better on Post Test within three attempts. 3.Submit online CRCC Request Form. CEU Credit (.20) 1.Sign Participant List and complete CEU Form (on day of webinar from Site Coordinator, or after webinar login to MyTACE Portal. 2.Submit Participant List and CEU form to TACE: Region IV by Fax (404) 541-9002. MyTACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportalTACEsoutheast.org/myportal **For CRCC credit, you must reside in the 8 U.S. Southeast states served by the TACE Region IV [AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN]. If beyond TACE Region IV, you may apply for CEU credit.

52. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 52 Disclaimer This presentation was developed by the TACE Center: Region IV ©2009 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 #H264A080021. 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 75.620 (b)].

53. TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2009 Marc Gold & Associates All Rights Reserved 53 Copyright Information This work is the property of the Marc Gold & Associates Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the authors.