1. Brooke Yarbrough brookehappytails@aol.com

2. Resource: www.dol.gov/odep/categories/youth/youthemployment.htm www.dol.gov/odep/categories/youth/youthemployment.htm

3.  39% of youth with intellectual disabilities were employed and worked an average of 28 hrs/week  Young adults with disabilities who had a college degree or certificate were more likely to be employed 8 years after high school (83%) than those who just had a high school diploma (38%- 58% depending on disability)  74% of young adults with disabilities reported an annual income of $25,000 or less  32% of young adults with disabilities reported employment as their only mode of engagement in their community since leaving high school 8 years ago Resource: www.nlts2.orgwww.nlts2.org

4. Brooke Cheyenne Yarbrough 2 lbs, 4 oz1994

5. TOHERETOHERE June 2012

6.  A vision for the future  Volunteer experiences  High expectations for my future by my parents and the professionals who support me  A life balanced with formal/paid and informal/unpaid supports  Willingness to move from advocating FOR to advocating WITH, or “Supported Decision- Making”  Youth, parents and educators/professionals working together

7.  Expectation of self-employment since 5 th grade  “Brooke will explore career options that meet her vocational/employment desires”  Based on interests with music and dogs, Brooke visited, tried on and/or volunteered at:  Music Store  Choir  DJ Company  SPCA  Great Pyrenees Rescue Program  PetSmart

8. Change is hard Service provider turnover Waiting lists Inflexible services Poor assessments, particularly for AT Open minded providers Staying on the path Networking with employment and transition experts Support from other self-advocates and parents

9. Tatonka 1993 - 2011

10. July 1, 2012

11. 1. Conduct Market Research 2. Develop a Budget 3. Obtain Federal Employer Identification # 4. Enroll with State SWAM 5. File for Local Business License 6. Start a Bank Account 7. Draft Boarding Applications/Agreements 8. Perform Public Awareness/Marketing

14.  What Brooke does to run Brooke’s Happy Tails Pet Sitting  Plays with and grooms dogs  Feeds dogs and refills water bowls (with support)  Collects payment  Buys food, toys and supplies  Market business (internet, facebook, etc) (with support)  What others do for the business  Type receipts  Walk dogs (some are afraid of wheelchair, some will escape)  Maintain budget documents  File paperwork with Federal/State/Local agencies

15.  Provide training and technical assistance to other youth wanting to start a pet sitting business  Explore a 2 nd business Richmond Battlefield Ghost Tours??!!

16.  Work without Limits (www.workwithoutlimits.org)  Disability. Gov (www.disability.gov/home/i_want_to/self- employment)  Office of Disability Employment Policy (www.dol.gov/odep/topics/SelfEmploymentE ntrepreneurship.htm )