1. Paid Employment for Students with Autism, Mental Retardation and Emotional Disturbances

2. Question Do you have living skills teachers who feel frustrated or stressed due to the fact that they have students graduating and nothing is planned for them to do after graduation?

3. Goal Provide a continuum of all functional skills learned at school to be transferred to the community with maximum support before graduation Provide opportunities to transfer skills to the community in an actual job site with support from a job coach or natural support groups on an individual basis regardless of disability

4. VAC VAC Teaches work skills to students with Mental Retardation, Autism and Emotional Disturbances Assist with job placement in the community Provide a high level of support on the job site

5. Continue Teach parents to be their child’s best support system (Parent Meetings, etc. ) We work with teacher’s to facilitate necessary documents to obtain and maintain employment (food handlers, TX ID, Public Transportation, etc.)

6. Continue… Build in natural support between job coaches and employers Helps students become self sufficient before graduation Helps maintain employment after graduation while integrating other outside agencies

7. First Pay Check!

8. Important Issues Maintain proper communication with small businesses around their community Seek employment opportunities Advocate for our students Match student’s interest

9. Continue… Monitor student’s job performance Counsel and support proper work habits Provide high level of job coaching as necessary Adapt and modify behavior plan on the job as needed Help obtain and maintain employment

10. Strategies : Establish a relationship with the students (As soon as they enter High School) Treat them with respect Know their needs Know their likes and dislikes Learn to see student’s need and not the disability See their potential Believe in them!

11. More strategies Work with them in various settings: home, school and community (Community Based Instruction) Build a “Teamwork” approach between student, parents, family members, classroom teachers, job coaches and VAC teacher Help with vocational assessment (profile, observation, etc.) Create an inventory list of interest, strengths and weaknesses Provide a variety of hands-on activities Create a task analysis when needed Advocate on their behalf

12. New Movements Job Coaches have moved from community training to actual supported employment One to one job coaching Proper modeling of necessary tasks Match student interest with employers needs Provide job coaching at all times and fade out when the employer agrees it’s time for more natural support

13. Job Sites Socorro Independent School District – Food Service (6 yrs.) and Custodian (7 yrs.) Red Lobster – Server (over 10 yrs.) Outback Restaurant – Ground keeper Ready One Industry – Corrugated Area and Sewing Fort Bliss – Computer Assistant and Construction The Bookery – Clerical Assistant Johnny’s Grooming – Pet groomer assistant Q-Mart (Bakery)- Baker Kids-r-us Daycare- Child Care Assistant El Paso Airport – Construction, Ranch Market- Door Greeter Border Patrol – Maintenance Wal-Mart – Door Greeter, Deli Assistant and Stocker Etc.

14. Wal-Mart Health, Beauty and Fitness Just For You

15. Job Readiness Skills Needed: Dressing Appropriately Personal Hygiene Greetings Being On Time Communication Portfolio: Resume, Video Resume, Letters of Recommendation, Personal Info., Other Documents and Extra Success!!

16. Approaches Community Based Instruction Built a friendly relationship with neighborhood businesses Use various forms of contacts or referrals to obtain employment (family, friends, etc. ) Advertise and Promote (Use the Media) Job Fairs Develop Job Readiness Skills Offer various job opportunities Remember their 1 st job is not necessarily their only job

17. Video Resume The video is on a 20 year old student who enjoys animals and demonstrated a special interest working at a pet shop.

18. Barriers Parents - Low expectations -Afraid of loosing SSI Benefits -Used to having school district do everything for them Teachers -Low expectations -See their weaknesses not their strengths -Too much work and not enough help Students -Lack of challenges -Not being held responsible Lack of Social Skills - Used to having everyone do everything for them - No correction of social skills Class of 2008

19. Hints for successful Employment Talk about expectations at a young age Teach them about their disability Show them how to be responsible Develop patterns of good attendance and punctuality Involve them in social and leisure activities Increase positive work experience Teach Social Skills Work on Self-Esteem

20. Success Rate PRIOR TO 2006 PLACEMENT WAS MORE FOR STUDENT WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES 2006 – 2007 AU, MR AND ED = 6 LD = 12 2007 – 2008 AU, MR AND ED = 9 LD = 12 2008 – 2009 AU, MR AND ED = 7 LD = 7

21. Success 1.Students with mental retardation, autism and emotional disturbance have a right to work like everyone else and feel productive members of society. 2. See everyone’s ability and not their disability 3.Never give up 4.You must Believe !

22. Contacts: Mary Carrillo – VAC Teacher Socorro Independent School District Special Education Department 12300 Eastlake Dr. El Paso, Texas 79936 (915) 937-1800 mmorac@sisd.net