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CareersAssisting Young Adults to
Manage the Barriers to Employment they Face
Steve Towler - November 15, 2011
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AHRC Mission Statement
• AHRC New York City, a family governed organization, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
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AHRC Services
Adult Day Services (ADS)Camping and Recreation Education Employment and Business Services (EBS)Family and Clinical Services Home Care Services Medicaid Services Coordination Residential Services
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VISION STATEMENT
• We provide rewarding employment for all individuals in our programs leading to long term success, personal satisfaction and economic self sufficiency
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AHRC Employment and Business
Services• Careers• Supported Employment (SE)• Direct Placement Services• Enhanced Supported Employment
(ESEMP)• Internships and Blended Services • Horizons & Job Connection Center• Hudson River Services
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TRANSITON FROM SCHOOL TO A EBS/ADS PROGRAM
• Early planning is essential• Adult programs are not an entitlement like school • Transition process should begin at the age of 14• Early planning gives the opportunity to explore more
options and alternatives with representatives from the school and other outside agencies
• All evaluations (psychological, psychosocial, psychiatric, and medicals) are needed to determine eligibility for services
• Eligibility determination for OPWDD should be done as early as possible.
• If OPWDD eligible, case management services should be obtained.
• School Partnerships
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Valued Outcomes • Obtaining Quality Jobs in the
Community
• Obtaining High Quality Janitorial/Food Service Training
• Maintaining Employment
• Integration in the Community
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Valued Outcomes (continued…)
• Career development
• Movement toward self-sufficiency
• Increasing self esteem
• Increasing recognition of individuals’ contribution by members of community
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Careers in Janitorial, Food Services, Housekeeping
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Careers
Program StructureClassroomInternshipsJob Placement Support ServiceFunded by: NYC Department of Youth and
Community DevelopmentWIA-OSY
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Careers- Who we serve
• Youth Age: 18-21/24
• Disabled and Non-disabled
• Poor
• High School drop-outs
• Drug/ Alcohol
• Criminal records
Looking for a chance to succeed
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Careers
Program ServicesRecruitment
Assessment & Evaluation
Basic SkillsWork ReadinessJob Site Training
Case Management Counseling- Metal
healthSobriety ServicesJob Placement
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RECRUITMENT
School Partnerships
Vocational Rehabilitation
Service Coordinators
One-Stops
Creative Ideas: Staten Island Ferry + Radio
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ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES:
TABE
Psychological
Attend 2-3 day sessions before Enrollment
Suitability Good Program Fit
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Classroom- 4-5 Weeks Basic SkillsWork Readiness TrainingWork Ethic FocusContextual Janitorial- Basic Math & ReadingSafe Serve Certification
Internship- 10-12 Weeks Real Work Experience On-site Supervision
Expectations- “Real World”
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Job Placement Strategies
Account Coordinators- “Job Developers”Client Service CoordinatorsEmployer Networking- Chambers of CommerceOccupational Focus- Hotel IndustryWeb-Based StrategiesNew BrochureCommission Plan for Developers
Team
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Support Strategies
Placement Support- Job Coaches Rehabilitation Services Career Retention
Specialists
Support Customized to the Needs of the Person
Cross System Support Education- Schools Vocational Rehabilitation
Counselors Health Care
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The Employment Process for Regular Supported Employment
• A person is referred to us• An assessment takes place → “Individual Planning”• Pre-Employment services are provided• Job Development is taking place• A job match takes place• A job interview• A job placement• Travel routing• Job site orientation• Job Coach Services• Intensive Support → Gradual Fading• Long-Term Support & Assistance
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A Short List of Current Employers
• Animal General• Bally Total Fitness• Costco Wholesale• Aramark - Citifield• MTA• NYS Department of Labor• Marshalls and TJ Maxx• Barnes & Noble Booksellers• NY Sports Club• Kmart• Salomon Smith Barney• Wal-Mart• Home Depot• Target• Applebee's• Alliance Building Services
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Government Service Contracts
• New York City Transit Authority• TBTA Bridges & Tunnels• NYS Department of Labor• NYS Division of Parole• Department of Homeless Services• SUNY• HRA Messenger Contract• NYC Department of Transportation• NYS OPWDD• Bronx Children’s Psychiatric Center• NYC Department of Environmental Protection• NISH USPO• Staten Island Ferry• HRA Janitorial• US Attorney’s Office
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Business Relationships
• Business Advisory Board
• Barnes & Noble
• The Executive’s Association of Greater New York
• Chambers of Commerce
• Triangle Services
• Lackmann Culinary Services
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Challenges: Today and Tomorrow
Funding for these ServicesJob MarketUnemployment Rate-Young Adults
- Young Adults with a disability
- PovertyBuilding more Business Partnerships