CREATING WAVES OF CHANGE IN THE WORKPLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES Forming a Project SEARCH...

CREATING WAVES OF CHANGE IN THE WORKPLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Forming a Project SEARCH SiteFrom Partners to Funding and

How VR Facilitates Diverse Implementation

Bonnie Allen, Vocational Rehabilitation SpecialistRobert Eames, Programs ManagerJudi Goldston, State Coordinator

OK quarter


Topics

• Introductions• What is Project SEARCH™?• Partnerships and Relationships• How We Leverage Funds• Description of 2010 Sites• Going with the Flow and

How We Make it Work

Turner Falls in Davis (Southern OK)


Introductions


What is Project SEARCH™A partnership that focuses on assisting individuals with disabilities to find and maintain employment. Nationally, the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities is nearly 70% and the majority of these individuals want to work.

It provides a framework for an unpaid internship program for young adults with disabilities at a host employer building upon the success of the national Project SEARCH™ originated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.


Who is Involved?• A school• A host business• Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)• University of Oklahoma National Center for Disability Education and Training (OU-NCDET)• Provider


What does it Look Like?• 8-10 students report to the business site for each school day.• AM classroom instruction on employment related topics by instructor.• 4 hours spent on a rotation (three 10-week rotations in a year). Two job coaches training interns (varies by location).• PM classroom instruction/debrief.• Monthly progress meetings.• Independent Employment!!!


Who provides what?

• School– Full-time teacher’s

salary and benefits– Transportation

(possibly)– Lunches (possibly)– Materials and supplies– National Site License

– Part of uniform expense

– Student liability insurance


Who provides what?• Host Business

– Classroom space– Access to Internet and

phone– Access to staff and

departments– Internal marketing– Liaison to team

• DRS– Funds for 1-2 job

coaches– Part of uniform expense– Contract with OU-NCDET

for technical assistance


Role of OU-NCDET

●Provide liaison with National Project SEARCH™ ●Assist to identify, connect, and coordinate partners●Assist the team to develop a project plan with timeframes●Assist partners with initial steps of implementation●Provide ongoing training and technical assistance●Evaluate the success of Project SEARCH™●Maintain model integrity


Key Concepts of Project SEARCH™

Not the “Easiest” JobsBut

“Complex and Systematic” Jobs


Student Eligibility Guidelines● At least 18 years old or High school graduate (depends on your program and the school partner—could turn 18 during the year)● Be able to communicate effectively● Meet eligibility requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation● Appropriate personal hygiene, social and communication skills● Ability to take direction ● Willingness to change behavior ● Pass drug screen, background check, immunizations ● Have transportation to/from site or be willing to work toward independent transportation● Desire and ability to work!


Annual Internship Calendar

AUG JUNE

Begin PS Program

1st 10 week rotation

2nd 10 week rotation

3rd 10 week rotation

Graduate & begin work at host site or in Community

Up to 1 month Student

Orientation


● 8:00 – 8:45 am: Classroom - Independent Living / Employability SkillsLessons are based on daily living/employability skills, (i.e., problem solving, team work, decision

making, budgeting, check writing, nutrition, resume writing-instruction). Follows an approvedProject SEARCH Curriculum.

● 8:45 – 9:00 am: Transition from classroom to internship site● 9:00 - 2:15 pm: Internship Site (includes 30 minute lunch)

Students participate in non-paid job internship sites throughout the Mercy Health Center to learn job specific and employability skills. They rotate through three different internships throughout the school year spending 10 weeks in each rotation.

LunchStudents are allowed 30 minutes for lunch and follow the lunch schedule of the department in which they are interning. Students may brown bag or purchase a lunch at the hospital. Students are

encouraged to eat with their co-workers and peers at the internship site.

● 2:15 – 2:30 pm: Transition from internship site to classroom● 2:30 – 3:00 pm: Classroom - Refection/Planning/Journal Writing Students sign out at 2:30 pm and if available take public transportation home.

Sample Program Day


Partnerships and Relationships

• Everyone contributes—everyone benefits.• From application to selection and beyond.

Improves end result.• Working toward same goal—employability.

Win-win for everyone.• Mission driven employers who are committed.• Buy-in and fostering internal relationships.• Getting the right person and foot in the door.


How We Leverage Funds

• Shared resources• DRS—lead VR counselor, job coaching support,

uniforms, contract for TA and site development, events

• Employer—liaison time and training, classroom space/internet/phone, some supplies, events, worker’s compensation (in some situations)

• School—teacher’s salary, supplies, transportation, lunch, furniture, technology, uniforms, events, liability insurance


Description of 2010 Sites• St. John Medical Center, Tulsa• Valley View Regional Hospital, Ada• Mercy Health Center, Oklahoma City• Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, Enid

OU Football, Norman


St. John Medical Center, Tulsa• Transition Program for Seniors• Partners

•Jenks PS•DRS; OU-NCDET•St. John•Central Tech

• Internship Rotations•Senior English

http://www.stjohnhealthsystem.com/


St. John Medical Center, Tulsa

Female employee in Tulsa

Male intern in Tulsa

Female intern in Tulsa


Valley View Regional Hospital, Ada• Partners

• VVRH•DRS•OU-NCDET

•Byng PS, Latta PS, Stonewall PS, Roff PS, Allen PS

• Young adult model v. transition model


Valley View Regional Hospital, Ada

Male intern in Ada

Female intern in AdaMale intern in Ada


Oklahoma School Law

“The boards of education of two or more school districts may enter into a cooperative agreement and maintain joint programs…”

Byng PS, lead LEA•Commitment fee•Per student fee


DRS Contract for Job Coaching•Job coaching only during the school year

•$750 per month per student•Prorated if not 70% attendance•Specifies at least $20,000 plus benefits

•Job coaching plus placement and employment outcome

•Also, $775 for placement•And $1,500 for successful employment


DRS Contract for Job Coaching•Total Compensation (based on 10 students with full attendance over 9 months)

•$67,500 for 9 months•Minus two staff at $20,000 a piece and 40% benefits (-$56,000)•Remaining $11,500 for 9 months or $1,278 per month

•Additional Compensation for placement and closure•$775 x 10 ($7,750) for placement•$1,500 x 10 ($15,000) for successful employment•Total of $22,750 additional


Mercy Health Center, Oklahoma City• Partners

•Mercy•FTTC•DRS•OU-NCDET

• Young adults with CareerTech training• Obtaining Department Access• Increased enrollment at FTTC


Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, Enid

• Partners•Integris•Enid PS•DRS•4RKids Foundation•OU-NCDET

• Transition, transfers


Going with the Flow and How We Make it Work

• Payment for job coaching support• Orientation, hospital codes, training• Behavior, attitude, and hormones• Parental involvement, attachment,

independence• Uncomfortable discussions

• Hygiene, toys, cell phones, home life, attire, relationship issues



• Insecurity and wanting to give up• It isn’t for everybody—letting them go• Parental expectations• Expectation to hire and economic downturn• Safety and security and having a large pool of

candidates



• Not enough time for complete collaboration on all issues or events

• Hard conversations with partners regarding student and job coach selection

• Department resistance• Classroom space• Proximity and accessing all departments in larger

facilities


Final Thoughts• Patience• Determination• Relationships• Commitment to the

employability of theinterns Water Taxi in Bricktown

OKC (Central OK)


Unexpected Benefits• Obtained driver’s license• Moved out on own• Obtained CNA certification• Purchased vehicles• Increased income, now eligible for benefits

through employer, working toward eliminating SSA benefits

• Marriages• Friendships and social networks• Improved self-esteem, maturity• Parental hopes met, partner expectations exceeded

Bombing Memorial OKC (Central OK)


Success Rate in OklahomaAda # began # completed # employed % Employed

Year 1 6 4 4 100%

Year 2 6 5 5 100%

Tulsa # began # completed # employed % Employed

Year 1 8 6 5 83%

Year 2 9 8 3 38%

May 3, 1999 Tornado

% employed calculated only on those who completed the program.


Questions

OKC Thunder


Contact InformationBonnie Allen(405) [email protected]

Robert Eames(918) [email protected]

Judi Goldston(405) [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



CREATING WAVES OF CHANGE IN THE WORKPLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES Forming a Project SEARCH...

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