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TRANSITION TO ADULT LIFECREATING A VISION FOR THE

FUTURESEPTEMBER 20, 2014

WORCESTER, MA

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services

Employment First!Overview of Employment & Day Services

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Goals of Presentation

• What is Employment First?

• Review of Blueprint for Success

• Overview of Employment & Day Services for Adults

• Important Areas for Consideration

• Questions and Discussion

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WHAT IS EMPLOYMENT FIRST?

Supports Department’s mission of supporting people to live and work and enjoy fully integrated lives in

the community The belief that everyone can work and gives

everyone a chance to get a job Starts with the presumption that employment

should be the first and preferred goal and service option for working age adults

More job opportunities in the community: Real Jobs for Real Pay- hired at a business earning

same pay as other workers More opportunities for meaningful involvement in

inclusive community activities and experiences

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Why This New Direction?People with Disabilities Are Asking for Real

Jobs…

Having a job is an important and valued role in people’s lives

Everyone has the right to have a job

Everyone has the right to get paid fairly for the work they do

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Why is Having A Job So Important

• Way to Earn Money - $• Feel proud of accomplishments• Builds confidence• Meet new people and make new

friends• Chance to learn new things & develop

skills• Way to be helpful and productive• Status: People respect you for the

work you do

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Blueprint for Success:Employing Individuals with Intellectual

Disabilities November 2013

Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

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A Plan for Jobs and Community Inclusion

•Commissioner Howe asked a team of people to develop a 4 year plan called the Blueprint for Success. Goals are:•More job opportunities• Individual planning of service options for every person• Community-based day activities, in addition to job training• Phase out use of sheltered workshop services

8Recommendations and Resources To Make This Plan Successful

More Funding to support expanded servicesTraining for provider staff on job development and

job coachingAssistance for Providers to

develop new servicesWays to reach more businesses

to find more jobsTraining on Social Security Work Incentives

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Other Supports and Activities

Information and training for individuals

Explore, Prepare, Act training from MASS by self-advocates

Information and training on Social Security Benefits

Sharing success stories

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It all starts with Person Centered Planning…

More focus on strengths and supports for work and community inclusion for people with disabilities

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Developing A Positive Personal Profile

Dreams and Goals

Interests

Talents/skills and knowledge

What you value-what is important to you

Settings/places you prefer

Work and Life Experiences

Your Learning Style

Positive personality traits

Dislikes

Your Support System

Specific challenges you need help with

Solutions and supports to help you be successful

What Supports are Helpful to Get on the Road to Employment:

Ways to explore and discover interests- through volunteer work, job tours and try-outs

Developing a career plan that is right for each person: based on each person’s interests, skills, and settings where you will be successful

Job developer who finds the right job match for you

Job coach who provides training and follow-up support on the job site

Help with transportation and other things to help achieve success

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What Are the Service Options

1-Individual Supported Employment2- Group Supported Employment3- Community Based Day Supports

Or a combination of these 3 services

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Individual Supported Employment

Getting a regular job hired and paid by a business: can be part-time or full-time Same pay and benefits as other workers Examples: bank, hospital, supermarket, department store

A Job Developer who helps you find the right job

A Job Coach who helps with: Training on the job to learn skills Making friends and getting involved socially on the job Transportation Communicating with your boss to make sure everything is going well Follow-Up Support: solving problems that come up

Sometimes people choose to get help to start their own business if that is what is right for them

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Group Supported Employment

A small group of people (2 up to 8) work at a business with staff from a provider agency People work for the business at their location Examples include: packaging, mailings,

housekeeping Job coach always there for training and support Usually paid by the provider – may be less than

minimum wage, but goal is for everyone to earn minimum wage or higher

Some providers develop their own businesses with a group of workers- such as landscaping or cleaning

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Community Based Day Support Programs

Variety of community and center-based activities to develop skills based on person’s interests and needs

Career exploration and planning Job try-outs; discovery of interests Develop “soft skills” needed on jobs; How to apply for jobs

Volunteer Opportunities: nursing homes; animal shelters

Internships: greenhouses, hospitals, colleges

Community experiences: libraries; adult education

Skills training: transportation; money; computer; art

A place to see your friends

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Community Based Day Supports May Be…

Social Skills

Travel Training

Computer time

Exercise/Yoga

Sign language

Cooking class

Money Skills

Group Meeting

Animal Shelter

Meals on Wheels

Nursing Home

Salvation Army

Volunteer at office

Food Bank

Redemption-Recycle Centers

Ride to Job Site

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Day Habilitation Programs

DAY HABILITATION PROGRAMS

Funded by MassHealth not DDSMedical Model of services- meet medical

necessityTherapeutic Focus- Includes specialized

services such as PT, OT, speech, nursingActive Treatment/Habilitation Focus:

Developmental skills training; Improve level of independence; Socialization

Cannot provide vocational, prevocational or any other employment related service

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It is important to work closely with your Transition Service Coordinator and Area Office

Discuss ideas, explore possibilities & develop a plan

Address questions and concerns

Explore service optionsBe clear about your “non-

negotiables” – but also be flexible

It is a partnership –everyone has a role and can contribute toward the desired outcome

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Why Work is Important to Me…

“Work makes me feel good, it’s freedom… I meet new people every day.”

“ I like it because I’m getting paidand it makes me feel independent.”

“It gives you a sense of respect.”

{Quotes from adults with anIntellectual Disability who are working}

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Thank You for coming today!

For more information:

Margaret Van Gelder, DDSMargaret.van.gelder@state.ma.us

617.624.7764