BYF 2012-2013

1. BYF 2012-2013 Samantha Suchanek

2. V3 Discovery ProcessWhy Sam was chosen? Her desire to contribute in the community Current vocational training methods were not a match Abundant strengths and skills Effective Self- Advocate Supportive Family Motivated to Expand Vocational Opportunities Optimal learning occurred with real life experience

3. Sam is a young women who attends LESA Transition Services and utilizes services from Community Mental Health (CMH) to support her life ambitions and dreams. Sam Suchanek • Lives with her family in Brighton Michigan • Is very close to her family members • Active in the community through volunteer work at her church and the Human Society • Participates in a variety of Special Olympic sports • Loves and cares for family pets • Active social life

4. Our Team Samantha (Sam) Suchanek - Student Bill Suchanek - Dad Pleasanna Carter – Teacher Chantal Charron - Program Consultant Crystal McKelvey - Occupational Therapist Kristen Capra -Transition Coordinator Rae-Anne Galarneau - CMH Case coordinator Renee Jones - CMH Psychologist

5. Surveys and Interviews • Interviews and Surveys • Sister - Georgie • Brother - David • CSL worker - Crystal • Boyfriend - John • Classmates - Chad, Martin • Self Interview, Teacher - Pleasanna • Self Interview, CMH Case Coordinator - Rae-Anne • Family Friend - Carol Participants were selected based on feedback from Sam and her family. • What we Discovered: • A significant amount of strengths, skills and contributions that could translate to vocational opportunities. • Pet care competency • Experience and abilities with dog training • Experience and abilities with neighborhood Day care

6. ICIE Observations • Favorite Places • Wendy's (12/12 Brighton MI) • Brighton Library (12/12 Brighton MI) • Favorite Activities • Dog Walking (11/12, 12/12 at home) • State Poly Hockey Tournament • (11/12 Lansing Michigan) • Typical Life Activities • Walking the Dog (11/12, 12/12 at home) • Accessing the Community class (Fridays at School) • Community Ed. Classes • Tae Kwon Do (Monday & Wednesdays through Howell Parks and Recreation) • Hip Hop Dance Class (Hartland Community Ed, Thursdays) • Discoveries • Demonstrated independence in participating and navigating the community. • Demonstrated competency with dog training and childcare. • Needed more supports for using public transportation • The level of support needed was greater than anticipated to manage stress with new activities.

7. Home Visit & Neighborhood Tour • Home Visit Discoveries • Independence with food preparation • Level of competency with animals (care & training) • Various collections of items that are well organized • Uses fan for calming • Independence of her morning routine (up, dressed, out walking dog, etc…) • Surprised by her level of stress due to the home visit • Neighborhood Tour Discoveries • Independently navigated the neighbor hood • Identified where the dogs in the neighborhood lived • Took control of dog and gave various commands • Identified the location of the neighborhood childcare • Crossed streets safely

8. Vision • Vision • Become a part-time student • Participate in vocational opportunities that involve her skills and interest • Use public transportation • Make own arrangements • Manage Schedule/ Calendar • Follow stress management plan • Competent Self –Advocate • Discovered • Difficulty with transitions and stress • Difficulty with time competency • Self Advocacy skills have evolved • Re-wrote Positive Behavior Support Plan

9. Vocational Profile • Skills & Contributions/ Experience • Pet care – dog training class • Day care- neighborhood day care experience • Keep tracks of work dates • Good self-advocate • Competency with cell phone use • Interests/ Preferences / Themes • Working with children • Working with pets • Working with the elderly • Sports • Arts /Crafts/ Music • Conditions for Success • Structured routine • Active tasks • Support for transitions • Busy schedule of tasks • Clear expectations • Motivating tasks • Part-time work • Challenges • Stress & Anxiety • Staying on task • Allergy friendly environment • Time limits for talking • Connections • Special Olympics • CMH • St. Patrick's Catholic Church • Human Society • Brighton Library

10. Brain Blizzard

11. Visual Resume

12. Sam Suchanek

13. Experience Training Dogs An Apprenticeship under Beth Duman - local expert Dog Trainer and Wolf Expert: • Basic dog training skills • Training therapy dogs to work with individuals with disabilities • Handling therapy dogs around medically fragile children • Puppy Training

14. Experience Training Dogs Completed dog training classes and have competency with the following dog obedience skills: Sit Stay, Leave It Come High Five Shake Touch It Eye Contact Crate Training Exercising Socializing Matt training Nutrition Agility Training Lay Down Leash Training

15. Experience Working with Children LEAPS GROUP Learning Early Academic Pre-Readiness Skills Tasks: • Support instruction of children with letter sounds and gross motor functions. • Redirection of students. • Singing assigned songs. • Organizing students for small group instruction. • Safely navigating the students from one location to another. • Encouraging students to do their best. • Facilitation of positive reinforcement

16. Experience Working with Children Neighborhood Day Care • Assisted with supervision of children. • Played with children • Prepared and designed art projects. • Facilitated small groups. • Preparation of food • Helped with snack time • Facilitated story time

17. Paying it Forward in the Community • Assisted with Children's Mass • Escorted children to classrooms by age • Interacted and played with children Humane Society St. Patrick’s Church • Maintenance of Feline habitats • Socializing the felines • Laundry • Wash dishes • Organize and track volunteer hours • Feed and water felines • Groom felines (brushing and nail care)

18. Interests • Sports • Poly-Hockey • Swimming • Basketball • Soccer • Horseback Riding • Golf • Tae Kwon Do • Biking • Bowling • Boating • Fishing • Camping • Wakeboarding • Arts • Music • Movies • Dancing • Crafts • Painting • Photography • Bell Choir

19. Skills and Attributes that would benefit your business • Punctual • Responsible • Caring • Confident Problem Solver • Empathetic • Considerate • Respectful • Intuitive • Follows Directions • Eager to Learn • Enthusiastic • Independent • Patient • Determined • Strives to be a Role Model • Confident Presenter • Great Sense of Humor • Helpful • Good Mentor • Kind

20. Final ThoughtsWhat Sam is Doing Now • Volunteer for LEAPS GROUP • Support instruction of children with their letter sounds and gross motor functions • Redirection of students • Singing assigned letter songs • Organizing students for small group instruction • Encouraging students to do their best • Apprentice under Beth Duman, local expert Dog Trainer and Wolf Expert: • Basic dog training skills • Training therapy dogs to work with individuals with disabilities • Learning to use Public Transportation • Making own arrangements • Time management- to wait for the bus, be on time

21. Final ThoughtsWhat is Next for Sam • Volunteer opportunity at Independence Village in Brighton • Meeting activity director in April • Set up opportunity and start it in or by May