Overview of Customized Employment - The Employer’s Perspective

1. Overview of Customized Employment - The Employer’s Perspective 2008 Competitive Grantees Training Conference Lisa Cuozzo Stern lstern@montgomeryworks.com

2. ACROSS: • Dogs do it • Mosquitoes do it • Spiders do it • Sharks do it • DOWN: • Insects that buzz • Organs of vision • What big brothers do to little sisters • Without effort Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

3. ACROSS: • Dogs do it • Mosquitoes do it • Spiders do it • Sharks do it • DOWN: • Insects that buzz • Organs of vision • What big brothers do to little sisters • Without effort Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

4. ACROSS: • Dogs do it • Mosquitoes do it • Spiders do it • Sharks do it • DOWN: • Insects that buzz • Organs of vision • What big brothers do to little sisters • Without effort Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

5. ACROSS: • Dogs do it • Mosquitoes do it • Spiders do it • Sharks do it • DOWN: • Insects that buzz • Organs of vision • What big brothers do to little sisters • Without effort Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

6. ACROSS: • Dogs do it • Mosquitoes do it • Spiders do it • Sharks do it • DOWN: • Insects that buzz • Organs of vision • What big brothers do to little sisters • Without effort Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

7. People with significant barriers to employment typically can’t take “off the rack” jobs…or if they do, they often don’t last Sometimes you must tailor the process

8. HELP WANTED Company looking for previously incarcerated homeless veteran. Extensive history of hospitalization and drug abuse required. Delusional behavior OK. Supportive co-workers. Call for an application.

9. Bottom Line • Employers are looking for ________________________________ • People do business with people they ________________________________ • People get jobs based on ________________________________

10. Things to Remember • Even if an ad isn’t posted there may be opportunities • Employers are always looking for enthusiastic, motivated employees who are willing to learn • Job descriptions are wishlists - they are not written in stone • Employers are looking for value/a bang for their buck/solutions to staffing issues

11. Step 1: Identify supports needed and support system…it takes a village • Identify barriers (*) • Reach out to other veteran-serving programs, as well as those who serve the generic population: One Stops, faith-based organizations, etc. • Becomes a win-win (especially when considering common measures)

12. Step 2: Create an individualized team for the veteran • Use action planning sessions (*) • Put veteran “in charge” • Set time frames and identify a section for when help is needed • Use team for job development efforts (everyone is a job developer) (*)

13. Step 3: Consider a Portfolio • Traditional resumes are fine for those who can find jobs independently • Participant portfolios contains a number of ingredients: • A portrait of the individual • Images of competent performance • Narrative pages indicating contributions • The participant’s Task List developed during the Action Planning sessions (value) • Be sure documents are error-free

14. Step 4: Prospect & Research • Let a “Discovery” process lead job development efforts – not the current labor market trends • First step should NOT be looking for placement • Use informational interviews (*) • Develop relationships

15. Step 5: Prepare for Negotiations • Plan…and be prepared • “Oh Boy” stance • “Show Me” stance • “Oh No” stance • Consider participant negotiables AND program negotiables.

16. Step 6: Closing the deal • Your job doesn’t end when participant’s job begins • Provide customer service that goes above and beyond • Remember Farrah Fawcett?

17. What Veteran programs have learned from the Customized Employment Process

18. Individual Profile: Michael • What Michael brings to the table: • Previous work experience (paralegal after the military) • Glowing smile and great customer service skills • Research and typing capabilities • Complexities: • NSC disability (injury <1 year) • Living in nursing home • Attitude towards employment

19. What we did together • Discovery:Coordinated community work trials - Michael had no idea what his body could do; assessed accommodation needs • Negotiated:Paid work experience at the One Stop as a part-time office assistant – answered phones, greeted customers, completed data entry • Researched paralegal field:Plan for return to school to receive paralegal certificate • The Village: VWIPVR One StopBPAO/WIPA WIA

20. Today: • Michael received his paralegal certificate (online and onsite) • Working part-time in a law firm, earning $25.00/hour) • Working with local Independent Living Center and planning to get his own apartment

21. Individual Profile: Helen • What Helen brings to the table: • Army Personnel Sergeant and Administrative Supervisor • Personnel Management Specialist - leadership coursework • Determination • High level computer skills • Complexities: • lost home/living in car • teenage son in trouble with school/law • financial/tax issues • 30% SC disability

22. What we did together • Discovery: Inventoried skills, talents, desires and conditions for employment • Networked: Used connections from DVOP/LVER, business team at One Stop, veteran’s personal connections • Negotiated: short-term and long-term goals • The Village:  VWIP Housing Services  One Stop  Food Stamps  WIA

23. Today: Helen works for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Chief Administrative Officer Helen Helen was also nominated for and received the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Workforce Determination Award

24. Individual Profile: Richard • What Richard brings to the table: • Honorable discharge • Independent • Army electrical instrument repairman • Enjoys working with hands • Resiliency • Complexities: • 18 year prison term • Living in the park • No local support system

25. What we did together • Discovery:investigated and researched training • Customized plan for employment: • odd jobs during job search • school/training • Negotiated:a plan for disclosure • The Village: VWIPWork Release Housing AssistanceCommunity College One Stop/WIA/Offender Program

26. Today:Richard is working full-time for a Refrigeration Service Company as a Service Technician Earning > $40,000/year

27. Individual Profile: Tim • What Tim brings to the table: • Very educated (Pharm.D.) • Computer skills • Great personality – works well with and enjoys people • Complexities: • Katrina evacuee • No fixed living address • Multiple short-term jobs • “Nothing behind the eyes” – deflated, depressed

28. What we did together • Discovery:Investigated why failed certification tests <12 times • Customized planning:A, B, and C • Negotiated:job shadows and paid work experience • The Village: VWIP  One Stop/WIA ProVETS

29. Today: Tim works as a Pharmacology Patent Examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office • GS12 - $58,660 (>$28/hour) • Also, in following his dream of being a Licensed Pharmacist, Tim is being tutored by a pharmacology lawyer – in preparation for his exam

30. Given a choice… Given the choice between work and idleness, people will almost always choose work. Regardless of our station in life, the conditions of our bodies and minds, or the amount of money in our bank accounts, the need to work remains one of our strongest drives. Work is central to our lives, and as such, gives a large measure of structure to our days. Common sense tells us that we feel better about ourselves when we are working regularly. - Robert E. Drake, M.D., Ph.D.

31. Consider … • It is amazing how much you can accomplish … when it doesn't matter who gets the credit. • Unknown