Creative EmploymentStrategies

Wendy ParentKansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities(785) 864-1062wparent@ku.edu

What are Supported and Customized Employment?

Competitive Employment In Integrated Businesses

With Individualized Support

Basic idea behind both is: Knowing what the potential employee wants and

needs Knowing what the employer wants and needs Supporting or negotiating any differences between

the two

Meet Luke

Lived in an institution Spent ten years in a sheltered

workshop Worked as a grocery store

bagger and received supported employment services

Currently owns Abercrombie Arcade, a customized and supported self-employment venture

What Outcomes Can Be Achieved Using These Approaches?• Created Jobs

• Carved Jobs

• Resource Ownership

• Self-Employment

• Combination Employment

Meet Sally – Created Job

Meet Gary – Carved Job

Interested in working with kids, helping others, and writing books

Active member of the community Author of a book “My Two Good

Feet” Habersham Public Schools

expressed need and contributions Gary would make, Habersham Electric Co-op offered to fund a position with the schools

Carved job as a Special Education Aide for Habersham Public Schools

Meet Jill – Carved Job

Interested in becoming a paralegal Completed CASA Training (Court

Appointed Special Advocate) Assistive technology assessment and

purchase of communication device Member of team had a connection

with a judge Carved job with courts in judge’s

office Friend on team offered to support

education

Meet Michael – Resource Ownership

Interested in washing cars Resource ownership with small

business, All Star Detailing ITA Purchases:

Detailer Trailer

Total ITA Expenditures = $6,153 Natural Supports

Transportation provided by business owner

Co-workers provide training

Meet Mary - Resource Ownership

Brain & Spinal cord injury, attends segregated school program, has never worked.

Loves animals, enjoys writing, wants to advocate for others

Resource ownership with local MADD Chapter and Humane Society

ITA Expenditures: Communication System LCD Projector Assistive Technology Assessment,

Training, and Follow-up

TOTAL ITA Expenditures: $9,200

Meet Robert – Self-Employment Self employed in laundry business Keep It Kleen Sterilizes towels for hair salons ITA Purchases:

High-tech washer and dryer Magnetic advertising panels for

delivery Jeep Business License Jeep Repair

Total ITA expenditures - $4,200

Thanks to Nancy Brooks-Lane & Doug Crandell, Cobb County CSB, Georgia(404) 833-1684, (404) 650-4334

Meet Linda – Self Employment

Lived life in an institution, attended segregated programs;

Artist, writer, very interested in clothes and make-up;

Self-employed as a freelance artist, advocate;

Pastel & acrylic drawings, presentations; “We’re proud to have Linda’s studio in the

city of Pine Lake. She has become a part of the community both for her joyful personality and poignant artwork.” Mayor, Pine Lake, GA.

Meet Chris – Combination Employment Dream Job – Video Recording Resource Ownership/Created Job Manages Glow Bowl segment within Rose

Lane Bowling Alley ITA Purchases:

Video Systems Dance Revolution game

Total ITA Expenditures = $17,000 Outcomes

12 hours per week ½ the profits of the Glow Bowl which average

$100 - $150 per week Receives 100% of revenues from the Dance

Machine, which are being reinvested for additional machines

Meet Crystal – CombinationEmployment

Interested in books, magazines and reading Resource Ownership / Self-Employment Java Hut / Crystal’s Book Nook ITA Purchases:

Magazine Racks Books Magazines

Total ITA expenditures - $2,114 Natural Supports

Friend who manages books Coffee shop owner rings up Crystal’s sales

on his register for a small administration fee Co-workers provide assistance on the job

What is the First Step?The Employment Team Meeting• Organize

– Invite participants

– Schedule initial meeting

• Energize– Attitude of optimism; employment as the intended

outcome

– Guided by an individual’s passion; made a reality by the creative energy & resources of the group

The Employment Team Meeting (continued)

* Individualize- Employment plan translates the team’s work into

action steps with timelines, persons responsible, and expected outcomes; provides a blue print

- Leverage creative funding and support resources

* Materialize- Follow-up meeting; additional participants with

specific expertise; brainstorming and discussion; accountability- Shared contributions of the group; collaborative effort- Employment situation becomes clearer; ideas emerge- Facilitator oversees implementation of the plan

What are Some of the Advantages of this Approach?• Offers us a different way of thinking about employment • Doesn’t depend on knowing it all or solving all the

problems facing transition and employment services• Shares responsibility and builds on expertise and

contributions of all• Relies on disability, generic, and natural support resources• Taps into new and different funding sources• Leads to nontraditional, creative employment outcomes• Provides opportunities for individuals to be in the drivers

seat• Expands options, particularly to those with limited or none• By passes many of the issues impacting service delivery

systems

Meet Charles – Illustrating the Process Dream Job: Related to Music ITA Purchases:

Sound Equipment Assistive technology Computer Consultant with a music mentor

Total ITA Expenditures = $5,939 Self Employment

Anticipated monthly business costs = $75.00

Anticipated monthly revenue = $1,680 (first four months)

Supporting or Negotiating: What the Employer Wants and Needs

Charles brought a stereo and recording equipment to the owner of The Wandering Mug Coffee Shop and presented a self employment venture.

Owner offered his shop as a recording studio and did not charge a fee. Coffee Shops business increased as customers came to listen to music. The musical act got exposure and did not have to pay the costs of a

typical recording studio. The Music Man had a regular venue for recording requiring no upkeep

on his part. Charles edited and created a finished product to sell to the musical

acts It is expected that Charles will expand to record musical acts in other

local venues.

Supporting or Negotiating: What the Individual Wants and Needs

Member of team had a friend who owned a coffee shop that occasionally brought in musical entertainment

Another member knew of a professional consultant in the music industry

Received training from employer on music and audio equipment Father offered to provide job coach support and manage the business Knew acquaintance with local college student union who could link with

student musicians Friends at church willing to share music resources and recording

opportunities Employer marketed to others in the music industry Team identified leads for other business sponsors

What Strategies are Helpful to Achieve Employment Outcomes?

• Someone take the lead • Arrange initial team meeting• Individual’s passion sparks ideas• Enthusiasm fosters creativity/productivity• Assign homework • Develop a blue print• Explore and share among the team• Meet again, review, revise, and get specific

Strategies (continued)

• Establish plan with action steps, persons responsible, expected outcomes, and timelines

• Target alternative funding and support resources• Decide on business arrangement (contact specific

employers or develop a business plan)• Complete a functional assessment (Consumer Situational

Assessment Summary Form)• Conduct a job analysis• Finalize the competitive employment outcome• Make any negotiations and/or support arrangements• Put an on-going support system in place (On-Going

Support Plan)