COMMUNITY-BASED PREVOCATIONAL SUPPORTS

1. COMMUNITY-BASEDPREVOCATIONAL SUPPORTS • BEACON with Portal • Career Connect with Easter Seals • Community Access with Goodwill

2. Model Comparison Funding sources: Milwaukee County Dept. of Family Care (Goodwill & Portal) IRIS (Goodwill, Easter Seals, Portal) Community Care (Easter Seals)

3. Core Services • Employment Services • Pre-Vocational & BEACON Services • Adult Day Services • Community Recreation • Portal, inc. is a contracted provider with DVR, Care Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Department of Family Care and Community Care, Inc.

4. Our Transition Story Driving Factors for Change • Mission • New referrals/students demand for employment • Workforce needs • Aging Population • Limited production work available • A desire for outcomes of services that make a difference in people’s lives (Ordinary Way—Adult Expectations) • Right Thing To Do

5. Rebalancing • CRP Rebalancing Grant • Stepping Up, Stepping Out … Work’s For Me! • Real Jobs, Regular Wages In Ordinary Places, One Person at a Time • Informed Choice • A Shift in Focus and Process (Policy) • Education (Employees, Individuals with Disabilities, Board, Family, Community) • 3,100 hours of training (Michael Callahan, Hammis and Griffin, Marc Gold & Associates) • Mentoring and Sharing of Best Practices • Revision of Roles and Job Descriptions • School to Work Transition

6. Changes Made • Policy Change • Internal/External Teams – Champions • Staff Training Investment • Guiding Principles • MAP – My Action Plan (Service Plan) • Job Descriptions • Position Paper • Stakeholder Events and Activities

7. BEACON Building Employment And Community Opportunity • Tour area businesses • Career Presentations • Learning sessions • Let’s Get To Work • Community Journal & Personal Discovery • Advocacy • Positive Work Habits and Attributes • Financial Literacy • Networking & People Skills • Volunteering • Mock Interviews • Job Shadowing/Work Experiences

8. CAREER CONNECT • Soft Skills Instruction & Practice • Community Outreach • Career Exploration and Hands on Experiences • Preparation for Job Search

9. CAREER CONNECT • Soft Skill Instruction and Practice • Communication • Professionalism • Problem Solving • Enthusiasm • Attitude

10. CAREER CONNECT • Hands on Experience • Volunteering • Internships • Job Shadows

11. CAREER CONNECT • Community Outreach • Waukesha Metro • Job Site Tours • Library • Workforce Development Center • WCTC

12. CAREER CONNECT Success…… • Kevin – Piggly Wiggly • Patrick – Culvers • Matt, Shelly and Les - Wal-Mart • Ellen - Pick N Save • Matt – PetCo • Work Experiences • Volunteer Placements

13. Discovery Process COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM • Identify strengths, interests, needs, and increase self-awareness • Guide direction for training, objectives, and possible career paths • Build rapport & confirm motivation • Gather information to map out career path • Explore job interests by completing: • Career Videos • Job Observation • Informational Interview • Job Shadow Job Exploration

14. Individualized Training Learning experiences tailored to the individual: Soft Skills Training • Communication skills • Job attitude • Professionalism / dress for success • Customer service skills Community Awareness Training • Travel training • Money management • Obtaining state ID • Accessing resources – library, literacy classes, fitness center, job certification classes, and more

15. Computer, Resume, and Interview Skills • Training provided on basic mouse, keyboard, and general computer skills • Assistance creating a resume and adding final touches • Build an understanding of the interview process • Practice interview skills through role plays & mock interviews

16. Volunteer and Internship Experiences • Opportunity to practice skills and responsibility in a community setting • Search and apply for a volunteer job in vocational interest area • Interview for volunteer job to get practice for the real thing • Volunteer weekly for 3-4 hours • Coaching support fades as independence increases 30 individuals volunteering!

17. DVR Referral and Support • Guidance and support through employment process • Help individuals prepare for each DVR meeting • Ensure needs, goals & desired services are communicated • Facilitate working relationship with DVR counselor • Act as liaison to support successful employment outcome 10 individuals working with DVR

18. People are Getting Jobs! 13 individuals hired

19. Challenges to Overcome • Working with Individuals to: • Raise expectations and be consistent • Give up pay to invest in self • Let go of the work center • Job Changes and Losses • Transportation • Community and Networking • Funding & Contracting • Developing Natural Supports and the Regular Way • Safety Net and Wrap Around Supports & Options

20. Lessons Learned • Size of program, training ratio, number of days in training, and location all have an effect on effectiveness • Need to have a variety of work experience opportunities • Volunteering compared to internships • Apply to DVR earlier … takes time to get a job! • Expedite program & spend more time in community per week • As individuals in jobs become more independent, Supported Employment really does cost less

21. Keys to Success • Individual’s desire to work in the community is essential • With time & persistence, culture does shift and critical mass is created • Communication, coordination & support among all stakeholders is key • Stay the course & keep a positive attitude: Together, we CAN get people jobs!

22. Feel Free to Contact Us: Sally Hofland Program Manager – Portal, Inc. 262-377-4410 shofland@portalinc.org Beth Lohmann Workforce Development Director – Easter Seals, Southeastern WI 262-953-2208 bethl@eastersealswise.com Molly Gilgenbach Director of Work Services Programs – Goodwill of Southeastern WI 414-847-1953 molly.gilgenbach@goodwillsew.com