Resource Ownership:Resource Ownership: Creating Opportunity and JobsCreating Opportunity and Jobs

Using Customized Employment and Using Customized Employment and Universal Economic Development Universal Economic Development

Approaches to Solve the Employment Approaches to Solve the Employment Crisis in WVCrisis in WV

Presented by Christian Colborn and Michael Carpenter of Valley Presented by Christian Colborn and Michael Carpenter of Valley World’s of Fun; and Russell Sickles of Job Squad, Inc.World’s of Fun; and Russell Sickles of Job Squad, Inc.

Resource OwnershipResource Ownership Hear Christian’s Hear Christian’s

Story.Story. Learn how to create a Learn how to create a

job in any employment job in any employment market using market using customized customized employment and employment and universal economic universal economic development development techniques.techniques.

There are jobs There are jobs everywhere!everywhere!

A Suggested Stance A Suggested Stance Towards the World: The Towards the World: The

Beauty of it AllBeauty of it AllEvery sentence I utterEvery sentence I uttermust be understoodmust be understoodnot as an affirmation,not as an affirmation,but as a question.but as a question.

-Neils Bohr-Neils Bohr

If I had asked people what they wanted, If I had asked people what they wanted, they’d have said faster horses.they’d have said faster horses.

-Henry Ford -Henry Ford

A Suggested Stance A Suggested Stance Towards the World: The Towards the World: The Beauty of it All (Cont.)Beauty of it All (Cont.)

America is the country of the future. America is the country of the future. It is a country of beginnings, of projects, of It is a country of beginnings, of projects, of

vast vast designs and expectations.designs and expectations.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you want to succeed in life,If you want to succeed in life,do something—the others are doing nothing!do something—the others are doing nothing!

-Oscar Wilde-Oscar Wilde

A Suggested Stance A Suggested Stance Towards the World: The Towards the World: The Beauty of it All (Cont.)Beauty of it All (Cont.)

Yes is a world,Yes is a world,

And in this world of yesAnd in this world of yes

Lives, skillfully curled, Lives, skillfully curled,

All worlds.All worlds.

-e.e. cummings-e.e. cummings

A Suggested Stance A Suggested Stance Towards the World: The Towards the World: The

Beauty of it All (Last Slide!)Beauty of it All (Last Slide!)

Law of Requisite Variety:Law of Requisite Variety:

““A flexible system with many options is better A flexible system with many options is better able to cope with change…The application of able to cope with change…The application of the Law of Requisite Variety in the Law of Requisite Variety in businessbusiness is is obvious. Companies need to be sufficiently obvious. Companies need to be sufficiently adaptable to cope with a changing environment. adaptable to cope with a changing environment. A company that is too rigid faces potential A company that is too rigid faces potential danger if its market changes or even danger if its market changes or even disappears.disappears. ””

http://http://www.wyrdology.com/mind/creativity/variety.htmlwww.wyrdology.com/mind/creativity/variety.html ; Thanks to Griffin-Hammis!; Thanks to Griffin-Hammis!

A Quick Disclaimer!A Quick Disclaimer!

We are pretty new to this approach—began We are pretty new to this approach—began making the transition to Customized making the transition to Customized Employment/Universal Economic Employment/Universal Economic Development Practices in late Oct 2008 Development Practices in late Oct 2008 (about a year and a half ago).(about a year and a half ago).

We are always learning.We are always learning. This stuff is a lot of fun!This stuff is a lot of fun! Special Thanks to The West Virginia Special Thanks to The West Virginia

Developmental Disabilities Council and Developmental Disabilities Council and Griffin-Hammis, Griffin-Hammis, Associates.Associates.

Two Assumptions From Two Assumptions From the Title:the Title:

1.1. There is an Employment Crisis for There is an Employment Crisis for individuals with disabilities in West individuals with disabilities in West Virginia.Virginia.

2.2. This Crisis necessitates a different This Crisis necessitates a different approach towards employment: A approach towards employment: A Universal Economic Development Universal Economic Development Approach.Approach.

11stst Assumption: Assumption:Why a Crisis? 2007 American Why a Crisis? 2007 American

Community SurveyCommunity Survey

Why a Crisis? 2007 Why a Crisis? 2007 American Community American Community

SurveySurvey

Why A Crisis?Why A Crisis?

Consider…Consider…

A quick thought experiment: A quick thought experiment: Contrast the attention and response Contrast the attention and response to the “Great Recession” and a to the “Great Recession” and a national unemployment rate of 10% national unemployment rate of 10% with the attention and response to with the attention and response to the data we just reviewed.the data we just reviewed.

22ndnd Assumption: Why Assumption: Why Universal Economic Universal Economic

Development?Development? Labor Market Approach—how we all know employment—has Labor Market Approach—how we all know employment—has

not worked for most people with disabilities. It is also not not worked for most people with disabilities. It is also not working well , in general, for most people.working well , in general, for most people.

A rising tide does not lift all boats!A rising tide does not lift all boats! Below: From Below: From Performance MatrixPerformance Matrix Handout, Grant Stewart, Handout, Grant Stewart,

President, Located in Morgantown, WV; 304.594.9190; President, Located in Morgantown, WV; 304.594.9190; www.performancematrixllc.comwww.performancematrixllc.com

22ndnd Assumption: Why Assumption: Why Universal Economic Universal Economic

Development?Development? There are jobs everywhere!There are jobs everywhere! How?How? What is Capital? How is Capital What is Capital? How is Capital

connected to individuals? connected to individuals? From From dictionary.reference.com: “any source of profit, dictionary.reference.com: “any source of profit, advantage, power, etc.; asset”advantage, power, etc.; asset”

Types: Financial, Physical, Social, Types: Financial, Physical, Social, HumanHuman

Our definition: “Anything that Adds Our definition: “Anything that Adds Value…”Value…”

22ndnd Assumption: Why Assumption: Why Universal Economic Universal Economic

Development?Development? Best outcomes occur when something is Best outcomes occur when something is

created. That is, the job did not exist before created. That is, the job did not exist before it was obtained.it was obtained.

Job Seekers become so competitively Job Seekers become so competitively advantaged that they exit the labor advantaged that they exit the labor market/comparative approach to market/comparative approach to employment—think resumes, applications, employment—think resumes, applications, and interviews—and create their own and interviews—and create their own opportunities and jobs.opportunities and jobs.

This works best in small businesses; more This works best in small businesses; more challenging in large corporate challenging in large corporate environments (with HR bureaucracies).environments (with HR bureaucracies).

22ndnd Assumption: Why Assumption: Why Universal Economic Universal Economic

Development?Development? Why do this? Job Seekers gain the power to create a Why do this? Job Seekers gain the power to create a

job that is a “good fit” and matches their skills, job that is a “good fit” and matches their skills, talents, interests, and support needs. talents, interests, and support needs.

Negotiate duties, hours, pay, supports. Is this one big Negotiate duties, hours, pay, supports. Is this one big reasonable accommodation?reasonable accommodation?

Another option: Self-Employment. In general, Another option: Self-Employment. In general, individuals who are self-employed are most likely to individuals who are self-employed are most likely to say that their job is a good match.say that their job is a good match.

It is expensive (costly) to not work! The cost of public It is expensive (costly) to not work! The cost of public benefits/services/programs; the individual and benefits/services/programs; the individual and community cost of severe poverty; the impact of the community cost of severe poverty; the impact of the lack of discretionary income on business environment lack of discretionary income on business environment (low growth, lack of jobs); dependency, (low growth, lack of jobs); dependency, disempowerment, and marginalization; and, disempowerment, and marginalization; and, most most importantlyimportantly, the loss of freedoms and options., the loss of freedoms and options.

(Un)Employment is a Community Issue.(Un)Employment is a Community Issue.

ChristianChristian

Christian (From Job Christian (From Job Squad’s Blog)Squad’s Blog)

Using Customized Using Customized Employment Techniques: Employment Techniques:

How to get there?How to get there? Start with Benefits PlanningStart with Benefits Planning.. (Learned (Learned

that Christian has both SSI and SSDI and had not that Christian has both SSI and SSDI and had not worked in a competitive work environment)worked in a competitive work environment)

-Fear of losing benefits is very high on the list of -Fear of losing benefits is very high on the list of why why people aren’t pursuing work.people aren’t pursuing work.-Myths-Myths-Misinformation-Misinformation-Outright Falsehoods-Outright Falsehoods-Benefit Scenarios can be complicated—how many -Benefit Scenarios can be complicated—how many Community Work Incentives Coordinators are there Community Work Incentives Coordinators are there in in WV?WV?

Next Step: DiscoveryNext Step: Discovery

Looking to answer:Looking to answer:

-Who is this person?-Who is this person?

-What is/are their personal -What is/are their personal genius(es): Skills, Talents, Interests?genius(es): Skills, Talents, Interests?

-What are the ideal conditions of -What are the ideal conditions of employment?employment?

Discovery (Cont.)Discovery (Cont.) Casual, conversational, not formal.Casual, conversational, not formal. Smooth listening.Smooth listening. In the community.In the community. Build a team!Build a team! Frame the conversations, look for:Frame the conversations, look for:

-Typical Skills and talents exhibited (find out when and where -Typical Skills and talents exhibited (find out when and where to observe);to observe);

-Extraordinary skills and talents exhibited (find out -Extraordinary skills and talents exhibited (find out when/where to observe);when/where to observe);

-Motivational Interests, People, and Activities;-Motivational Interests, People, and Activities;-Where the individual spends time and money (what does a -Where the individual spends time and money (what does a

typical week/day look like? Routines and Chores. Ask the typical week/day look like? Routines and Chores. Ask the person to show you their bedroom?)person to show you their bedroom?)

-Most effective learning styles and teaching methods;-Most effective learning styles and teaching methods;-Supports needed.-Supports needed.

From Griffin-Hammis, AssociatesFrom Griffin-Hammis, Associates Linking Discovery… Linking Discovery…TrainingTraining..

Discovery (Cont.)Discovery (Cont.) Then go out and look for the verb (thanks Then go out and look for the verb (thanks

to Vicki Vining!) Example: Loves Animals. to Vicki Vining!) Example: Loves Animals. Ok, what is the verb there?Ok, what is the verb there?

What will the job seeker do? What will the job seeker do? Skills, skills, skills.Skills, skills, skills. Observing for accuracy what you’ve been Observing for accuracy what you’ve been

told or read in paper evaluations.told or read in paper evaluations. What if something (a job offer or What if something (a job offer or

opportunity for self-employment) comes opportunity for self-employment) comes up? Explore it! This is not the end, it’s the up? Explore it! This is not the end, it’s the beginning.beginning.

Discovery and Social Discovery and Social CapitalCapital

Explore “who you know;” Family employment Explore “who you know;” Family employment connections; community connections; where connections; community connections; where people work; friends, neighbors, others who may people work; friends, neighbors, others who may be helpful. be helpful.

Where do you spend money?Where do you spend money? Look at everything—6 degrees of separation.Look at everything—6 degrees of separation. Surveys in Surveys in Bowling AloneBowling Alone by Robert Putnam: by Robert Putnam:

Data from diverse surveys suggest that roughly one-half Data from diverse surveys suggest that roughly one-half of people get their job through a friend or relative.of people get their job through a friend or relative.

An Atlanta study found that each employed person in An Atlanta study found that each employed person in one’s social network increases one’s annual income by one’s social network increases one’s annual income by $1,400.$1,400.

Discovery with ChristianDiscovery with Christian Met with Christian and those that know Met with Christian and those that know

him best (sister, mother, father).him best (sister, mother, father). Inquired about community Inquired about community

activities/interests/connections.activities/interests/connections. Went out and did stuff, following routines Went out and did stuff, following routines

and interests: bowling; visited favorite and interests: bowling; visited favorite restaurant; toured local gyms (swimming restaurant; toured local gyms (swimming interest); washed a car; visited local interest); washed a car; visited local People First Chapter; grocery shopping; People First Chapter; grocery shopping; haircut; made a salad.haircut; made a salad.

What was learned?What was learned?

The ResultThe Result

A conversation with, Mr. Martin and A conversation with, Mr. Martin and Michael Carpenter, owner of Valley Michael Carpenter, owner of Valley World’s of Fun. World’s of Fun.

Learned about his businesses needs Learned about his businesses needs (personnel and equipment).(personnel and equipment).

Talked about what was learned during Talked about what was learned during Discovery with Christian.Discovery with Christian.

Christian spent a number of days over Christian spent a number of days over two weeks trying different tasks/potential two weeks trying different tasks/potential job duties.job duties.

TasksTasks

Tasks (Cont.)Tasks (Cont.)

Resource OwnershipResource Ownership

Driven By Discovery.Driven By Discovery. Most Most smallsmall Businesses in the United States Businesses in the United States

are Under-Capitalized.are Under-Capitalized. Common forms of RO: College Degrees, Common forms of RO: College Degrees,

Tools, Specialized Training, Social Capital; Tools, Specialized Training, Social Capital; my car! If I don’t have a car, I don’t have my my car! If I don’t have a car, I don’t have my job.job.

“…“…occupational licenses, tools, equipment, occupational licenses, tools, equipment, and initial stocks and supplies…” and initial stocks and supplies…” Rehabilitation Act, Title 1Rehabilitation Act, Title 1

From Griffin-Hammis Associates MNTAT Training.From Griffin-Hammis Associates MNTAT Training.

Resource OwnershipResource Ownership In Christian’s case, In Christian’s case,

added leverage to exit added leverage to exit the labor market and the labor market and enter into negotiations enter into negotiations regarding possible regarding possible employment.employment.

More of what he wants, More of what he wants, less of what he doesn’t less of what he doesn’t want.want.

Duties, Hours, Pay.Duties, Hours, Pay. Mutually Beneficial.Mutually Beneficial. A New Job!A New Job!

Multiple Funding in Multiple Funding in Christian’s Job CreationChristian’s Job Creation

Medicaid: Job SupportsMedicaid: Job Supports WVDRS: ClothingWVDRS: Clothing Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS): Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS):

Purchase Ticket Counter, Co-worker supports, Purchase Ticket Counter, Co-worker supports, and transportation.and transportation.

Ticket-To-Work: Supplement Co-Worker Ticket-To-Work: Supplement Co-Worker supports.supports.

VWOF: Purchased equipment initially, VWOF: Purchased equipment initially, Christian then purchased from VWOF. Didn’t Christian then purchased from VWOF. Didn’t need to wait for PASS funds to accrue.need to wait for PASS funds to accrue.

WVDDC: Grant to help us learn Customized WVDDC: Grant to help us learn Customized Employment Tools with T/A from Griffin-Employment Tools with T/A from Griffin-Hammis, Associates.Hammis, Associates.

Christian’s Use of CapitalChristian’s Use of Capital

Human: Christian and his skills, Human: Christian and his skills, talents, and intereststalents, and interests

Physical: Ticket-Counting Physical: Ticket-Counting MachineMachine

Social: Christian’s connectionsSocial: Christian’s connections Financial: Funding sources Financial: Funding sources

which help create other capitalwhich help create other capital

What is a Plan To Achieve Self-Support What is a Plan To Achieve Self-Support (PASS)? (PASS)?

http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.hhttp://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.htmtm

What is a Plan To Achieve Self-Support What is a Plan To Achieve Self-Support (PASS)? (PASS)?

SSISSI SSI/SSDI (Perfect PASS Potential)SSI/SSDI (Perfect PASS Potential) SSDI (can use a PASS to become SSDI (can use a PASS to become

eligible for SSI and use PASS eligible for SSI and use PASS towards a work goal—this is a bit towards a work goal—this is a bit more complicated)more complicated)

WV PASS PotentialWV PASS Potential

Whew! Last Slide—Any Whew! Last Slide—Any Questions?Questions?

What is Customized Employment:What is Customized Employment:

Office of Disability Employment Policy: Office of Disability Employment Policy: Customized Employment means individualizing the relationship Customized Employment means individualizing the relationship between job seekers and employers in ways that meet the needs between job seekers and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. It is based on an individualized determination of the of both. It is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, requirements, and interests of a person with a complex strengths, requirements, and interests of a person with a complex life. The process is designed to meet the workplace needs of the life. The process is designed to meet the workplace needs of the employer and the discrete tasks of the position. When a employer and the discrete tasks of the position. When a customized relationship is developed, a shared employment customized relationship is developed, a shared employment alliance results. alliance results.

CE involves:CE involves:

NegotiationNegotiationNo subminimum wagesNo subminimum wagesIndividualizedIndividualizedNon-comparative techniquesNon-comparative techniques