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Lets Get to Work How Six Degrees Applies to Employment Beth Swedeen, Jenny Neugart, Holmen High School Students & Staff Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference October, 2013 * Wisconsin Dells, WI

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Session Overview Lets Get to Work Project Components Holmen High School Experiences Factors that Lead to Better Employment Outcomes What You Can Do

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Project framework includes all stakeholders School staff Service agencies: voc rehab, long-term care, state education Students Families Self-advocates Broader community Legislators

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Four project components Statewide consortium Pilot schools On-site coaches Policy team

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Consortiums Role Input from key stakeholders on what works and doesnt work and what policies to change or improve. Updates from schools and state agencies on project progress. Includes youth track, particularly to build self- determination.

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Pilot Schools 9 schools throughout the state (Kewaunee County schools, Manitowoc, Grafton, West Allis/West Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, Stoughton, Holmen, New Auburn, Rhinelander) Looked for interest/ability to work on inclusion and community employment. Committed to working on some promising practices

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Practices: Person-centered planning School/community mapping of opportunities Connection to general education and co-curricular activities Summer paid/volunteer community-based jobs Early connection to DVR Engaging broader community through a Community Conversation School learning circle/community of practice to learn from each other

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Schools Also Developed Their own Creative Approaches to Engaging with their Communities Grafton Holmen http://youtu.be/M0rMo-uaQqI http://youtu.be/2ysq3AYANaA Stoughton http://youtu.be/kd3YlOLwHPY

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Jobs First! of Manitowoc County

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Coaches On-site supporters/cheerleaders/practitioners who show school staff how to try new practices Provide resources and direct instruction training Connect them to other professional development, training and resources

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Policy Team Members What it does

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What Leads to Better Employment Outcomes Earlier work experiences while still in high school Increased expectations that youth will work Earlier connection to vocational rehabilitation Reduced entry for youth into segregated work settings

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Better Employment Outcomes Continued Better transition training for teachers Person centered planning to identify interests, strengths, skills Access to general education core/academic classes and extra-curricular activities as they relate to the students interests and career goals

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Better Employment Outcomes Continued Engage the broader community in discussions of youth employment Connect students and their families to information on post-secondary and career options, work incentives benefits counseling and community activities, starting no later than age 15. Access to transportation to get to work

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Helpful Resources www.letsgettoworkwi.org www.wiyouthfirst.org http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dvr/ www.wsti.org http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/P0/p00 516.pdf http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/P0/p00 516.pdf

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Beth Swedeen, Executive Director WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities beth.swedeen@wisconsin.gov beth.swedeen@wisconsin.gov Jenny Neugart, Lets Get to Work Project Coordinator UW Madison Waisman Center Jennifer.neugart@wisconsin.gov