King County Developmental Disabilities Division

1. King CountyDevelopmental Disabilities Division School-to-Work (S2W) Program Orientation Developed by: Kelley Faulkner, Project Manager

2. What Comes Next? Program Overview and Partners Eligibility Criteria Steps in Time with S2W Questions Application S2W Orientation Outline

3. S2WOrientation What Comes Next?

4. Approaching The last year of school • What will the week look like when school is no longer in the picture? • What will your student be doing next July? • How will your daily routines change? • What resources are available through the adult system and how can your student access them?

5. Have you considered employment? • Typical and age appropriate • Benefits the individual • Benefits the community

6. Employment Questions What are your student’s employment goals? Unique skills Ideal work environment Support needs Accommodations Hopes Concerns What resources are available? How can you make the most of the last year of school to help your student find a good job match?

7. Many minds come together The School-to-Work Team works together to answer these questions. Guiding Principles: Community Inclusion Regardless of “Level of Disability” One person, one job “Individual Employment”

8. Program Overview And Partners School-to-WorkOrientation

9. History S2W began in 2005 as a King County initiative to address the gap between school and work and improve collaboration between the school and adult service systems. In response to community feedback about Confusion Frustration Loss of skills and motivation Finding a job took years

10. Local Leadership, Resources and Coordination Ray Jensen, Director of KCDDD • Transition as a priority • Allocated KC Millage* funds • Assigned staff to develop a program • Outcome Focused: Paid Jobs *Millage funds are a percentage of County revenue from property taxes designated to address systemic barriers to service delivery.

11. Unique Features of S2W 1. Employment Outcome Focused: The main goal of the program is to help students leave school with a paid job that continues beyond June. 2. Starting Early: Connect students to adult agencies while they are still in school. 3. Team Approach: Employment consultantswork with students as part of their transition team in their last year of school. Educators, and parents (or primary support people) are integral in the employment planning and job search process.

12. A wealth of supportive partners Working with KCDDD, the following partners have made S2W a nationally recognized program. • Supported Employment Agencies • School Districts • WA State Division of Developmental Disabilities • WA State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation • Technical Assistance, Training and Advocacy Organizations • Parents, or primary support people • Students • Community Employers

13. Project Partners:A Team Approach

14. King County DevelopmentalDisabilities Division (KCDDD) School-to-Work/ Employment Resource Coordinators S2W Outreach/ Enrollment Manage contracts with project partners Oversee funding of S2W services Training on Social Security Benefits & Work Benefits Planning Exploring Funding Strategies

15. School Districts Auburn Bellevue Enumclaw Federal Way Highline Issaquah Kent Lake Washington Mercer Island Northshore Renton Riverview Seattle Shoreline Snoqualmie Valley Tahoma Tukwila Vashon • Refer students • Manage IEPs/ Transition Plans • Develop Work Skills • Prepare for Life After School • Integral part of S2W Team

16. Supported Employment Agencies

17. Department of Social and Health Services Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Key member of S2W Team Key funding partner Case/ Resource Managers Coordinate long-term support and other programs/ resources as funding is available

18. Technical Assistance, Training & Advocacy Organizations • Information & Referral Line • Parent-to Parent • Parent Coalition • Legislative Forum • TA & Training • Transition Resource Fairs • Business Development Group • TA & Training • Work Study Students • “Insights” Monthly Newsletter • People Working Stories

19. Wait a minute … Who’s Who?! Who Does What?! How am I supposed to keep all of this straight?! Hang in there… it will start to make sense. 

20. What does S2W look like? • Some things stay the same… • School provides educational services • Preparing students for post-secondary goals (work). • Some things change…. • Adult agency staff are involved • Lots of team meetings- preparing for life after school • Focus on finding a job before leaving school • Working with Employment Consultants • Trying a variety of community work experiences • Develop resumes/ Interview for real jobs • Increasing independence • Using public transportation • Meeting employer expectations

21. Primary Support Person • Learn about and connect with the adult services early • Participate in S2W meetings • Support reasonable risks • Be a partner in job development • Give responsibilities, chores, and allowance at home • Teach about work, the value of money and how to save • Help students prepare for work related activities by looking tidy and being on time

22. Students • Want to work • Good attendance/ show up on time • Variety of community experiences • Communicate with Employment Consultant • Positive social skills • Willing to try new things

23. School-to-WorkOrientation Eligibility Criteria • WA State DDD client • King County Resident • Enrolled in School • Wants to work • Date of Birth Range • Eligible for DVR • Students are strongly encouraged to apply for SSA benefits, but can participate without them.

24. Client of WA State Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) • Call (206) 568-5700 to see if your student is an active client and if they have a case/ resource manager. • Apply as soon as possible; at least 18 months before a student is scheduled to exit school services. • Eligibility criteria online: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/eligible.shtml

25. King County Resident • If you don’t reside in King County, talk to your local County to learn how to access employment services.

26. Enrolled in School Students must maintain enrollment in a participating School District. Currently most school districts in King County are participating in S2W. Ask your teacher or the King County S2W Coordinator if you are not sure.

27. The student wants to work. • No previous work experience is required • Level of disability does not matter • Must want to leave school with a job • Must be willing to work with an employment consultant

28. Date of Birth If appropriate, stay in school through age 21

29. Customer of WA State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) • Call (800) 637-5627 to find your local office and schedule an intake appointment • Apply at least 18 months before students are scheduled to exit school services • Visit website to review services and eligibility criteria http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dvr/Default.aspx

30. Apply for Benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) • Highly encouraged; not required • Cash and medical benefits • Work incentive programs may provide additional funding for employment related services. • 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov

31. School-to-WorkOrientation Step in Time with S2W

32. S2W Steps and Ideal Timeline

33. Step 1Orientation and Trainings • S2W Orientation/ Applications • Apply to S2W • Apply to DDD • Apply to DVR • Apply to SSA • Trainings Offered at KC Transition Fairs • SSA Benefits and Work* • Long-Term Support/ Funding* • Guardianship, Wills, Trusts** • Planning a Full Day** • *S2W Required Training • ** S2W Recommended Training

34. Step 2Choose an Agency • Check with your teacher to see if your student needs to choose an Agency. • If so… • Interview3 agencies; • Refer to handout: “Choosing a Vendor” • Talk to teachers, parents, DVR • Remember… • Interviews go both ways • Services are not an entitlement • Recommended Timeline: • Start in the spring, • Decide by June

35. Finalize the Decision andChoose a Start Date • Deciding to Work Together • Sign the “Student/ Agency Agreement Form” • Determine Start Date: July 1 – October 31 • Summer Services • No “summer job program” • Vary by Agency • Trial Work Experiences/ Assessment • Discovery Process

36. Step 3Team Planning Meeting The S2W Team plans services together. Key Team Members: • Student • Primary Support Person • School staff • Employment Consultant • DVR Counselor • DDD Case Manager • Other significant people

37. Step 3 (continued)Team Planning Meeting Discuss and develop a plan for the next three months. • Areas of interest • Prior work experiences • Strengths • Support needs • Motivating Activities • Accommodations • Assistive Technology • Transportation • Ideal Schedule • Ideal work environment • Communication Style • Health and stamina • Hygiene/ appearance • Physical limitations • Behavioral challenges • Existing Resources • Social Network • Other relevant topics

38. Step 3 (continued)Team Planning Meeting Employment Services and Terms: • Person-Centered Planning • Discovery Process • Assessment/ Trial Work Experience • Job Development • Job Training • Developing Natural Supports • Fading • Pathway to Employment Employment expectations • Increase Independence • Increase Stamina • Practice Using Public Transportation • Behavior and Attire Appropriate to Work Place

39. Step 3 (continued)Summary of Planning Meeting • Set goals for next three months • Decide next steps • Discuss roles • Assign responsibilities • Establish timelines • Develop communication strategy • Schedule next review meeting

40. Step 4Assessment/ Discovery Process • Implementation of the plan developed at the Team Meeting. • Learning through observation, assessment, and work-related activities. • Collaboration between school and agency staff.

41. Step 5 Team Review Meeting • 3 months after Team Planning Meeting • Review Discoveries • Refine Employment Goals • Create a more detailed picture of a student’s potential schedule after June

42. Step 6Job Placement • Job placement could happen at any time; • It can take a month • It can take a year or more • The key is finding a good match • Students stay enrolled in school even if they get a job • Students may lose their first job, • School may provide additional training, support and district resources, • SSA Work Incentives may be available for students

43. Step 6Job Placement • Intensive Training • Developing Natural Supports • Fading • Identifying Long-term support needs

44. Step 6 (continued)Job Placement in perspective • National employment rates for adults with developmental disabilities are reported between 7 – 35% • Hours/ week ranged from 2 - 40. • Average hours/ week was 12. OUTCOMES

45. Disclaimer Participating in S2W does not guarantee that a student will leave school with a job. Even if obstacles to employment remain, participants will be connected to key agencies in the adult service system and may continue to work towards their employment goal.

46. Step 7 Benefits Planning When a student begins working • DVR & KCDDD provide individual benefits planning services. • Clarify responsibilities about reporting earned income. • Explain how earned income will impact a student’s benefits during and after school.

47. Step 8: Identify Support Needs & Funding Options after School Meet to discuss possible need for “long-term support” services after School-to-Work. Natural Support and Paid Support • Learning new tasks • Ongoing support needs • Turnover of managers/ coworkers • Advocate for career advancement • Foster/ maintain natural supports

48. Step 8 (continued) Long-Term Supports and Funding Review funding options for long-term support services. • Waiver • State-Funded Transition Proviso • Private Pay • Money in a Special Needs Trust • SSA Work Incentives • Other grant and government funding (as available)

49. Disclaimer • Funding is not guaranteed after school for S2W participants. • KCDDD is committed to helping identify and explore funding resources. • This may include private payment.

50. Timelines The last year will go by quickly; take note of these important dates!