VCU-RRTC Webcast

What Parents Need to Know About Community-Integrated

Employment

Cherie TakemotoParent Educational Advocacy

Training Center (PEATC)

Objectives

• Understand key role parents play in helping people with disabilities find and keep jobs.

• Explore tension and growth when parents transition from key decision-makers to active supporters of self-determination.

Objectives

• Discuss challenges and opportunities of collaborating with families

PEATC Mission

PEATC Believes

• All children deserve opportunities to live, learn and participate fully in their communities.

• Families are children’s first and best teachers.

PEATC Believes

• Information and training enrich and empower families and professionals to build strong partnerships.

• Children with disabilities can achieve independence and make valuable contributions to society with the right supports.

PEATC Programs

• Information & Technical Support

• Outreach

• Advocacy

PEATC Programs

• Training

• Products & Publications

• Literacy, Research & IT

NEXT STEPS: The Transition SeriesTraining for Parents & Professionals to:

• Help young adults transition from school to full community life

• Bring together parents, educators, adult service professionals, self advocates to train and learn

NEXT STEPS: The Transition Series

• Focus on transition, employment, community life, supports, planning for future, self-advocacy

Why Mothers Havea Tough Time

• If we are concerned, we are overprotective; if we are unconcernedwe are neglectful.

• If we are involved, we are demanding; if we are not, we are detached.

Why Mothers Havea Tough Time

• If we have high expectationswe are unrealistic; if we have simple aspirations we set our sights too low.

• If we nurture generously, we are smothering; if we nurture less we are withholding.

Why Mothers Havea Tough Time

• If we offer advice, we are controlling; if we refrain, we are disinterested.

• If we phone, write or visit often, we are pests; if we don't, we are uncaring.

Why Mothers Havea Tough Time

• If we help with tasks or give or loan money, we cultivate dependency; if we don't, we are unsupportive.

Jordan Miller, MD Center for the Study of Women's Psychology From PACER Publication: Family as a Critical Partner

Myths

• Youth/Adults with disabilities should be the sole focus of intervention

• No need to involve the families

• Family involvement can only be gauged by attendance at meetings

Myths

• Parent tracking is okay

• Families have nothing to offer

• Involving families means involving mothers

*adapted from American Youth Policy Forum’s No More Islands

Benefits of FamilyInvolvement• Reduced

– Drop Outs– Risky Behavior– Use of Social Services– Illegal Drug Use– Juvenile Justice Involvement

Benefits of FamilyInvolvement• Increased

– Attendance and Graduation Rates– College Participation– Employment– Salaries– Home Ownership– Second Car Ownership

Family Assets

• Lifetime consistency

• High expectations

• Understanding of culture, language and history

• Knowledge of child’s strengths and needs

• Cheerleaders

Family EmploymentSupport

• Community and service system connections

• Knowledge of child’s strengths and needs

• Reinforcement and support of job attitudes/skills

Family EmploymentSupport

• Safety net

• Job Retention

• Creative Problem Solving

Cultural Issues

• Differing perceptions of disabilities

• Self-Advocacy vs. Family Decision-making

• Understanding of Service Systems

• Potential vs. Possibilities

Cultural Issues

• Language

• Discrimination

• Cultural Competence of Providers

Support forFamilies

• Workforce Investment Act (WIA) involvement of families on State and Local Workforce Investment Boards

• Rehab Services Act– Services to families that allow individual to

reach employment outcome– Representation on State Rehab Council

Support forFamilies

• IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – emphasis on parent involvement

President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education

Self-Advocacy

• Making own decisions

• Learning from mistakes

• Understanding interdependence

Family TensionsGrowth Opportunities

– Low Expectations

– High Expectations

– Loss of Control

– Fear of Failure

– Interdependence

What It Looks Like

• Families feel welcomed

• Clear two-way communication

• Professional development and staffing

• Families a part of service system

What It Looks Like

• Families as advisors

• Help navigate the service systemmaze

• Connect with cultural competence

Parent EducationalAdvocacy Training Center

• 6320 Augusta Drive – Suite 1200 Springfield, VA 22150

• 703-923-0010

• www.peatc.org