Let’s Get to WorkHow Six Degrees Applies to Employment

Beth Swedeen, Jenny Neugart, Holmen High School Students & Staff

Wisconsin Self-Determination ConferenceOctober, 2013 * Wisconsin Dells, WI

Session Overview• Let’s Get to Work Project Components• Holmen High School Experiences• Factors that Lead to Better Employment Outcomes• What You Can Do

Project framework includes all stakeholders• School staff• Service agencies: voc rehab,

long-term care, state education

• Students• Families• Self-advocates• Broader community• Legislators

Four project components• Statewide consortium• Pilot schools• On-site coaches• Policy team

Consortium’s Role• Input from key stakeholders on what works and

doesn’t work and what policies to change or improve.

• Updates from schools and state agencies on project progress.

• Includes youth track, particularly to build self-determination.

Pilot Schools• 9 schools throughout the state (Kewaunee County

schools, Manitowoc, Grafton, West Allis/West Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, Stoughton, Holmen, New Auburn, Rhinelander)

• Looked for interest/ability to work on inclusion and community employment.

• Committed to working on somepromising practices

Practices:• Person-centered planning• School/community mapping of opportunities• Connection to general education and co-curricular activities• Summer paid/volunteer community-based jobs• Early connection to DVR• Engaging broader community through a Community

Conversation• School learning circle/community of practice to learn from

each other

Schools Also Developed Their own Creative Approaches to Engaging with their Communities

Grafton Holmen

http://youtu.be/M0rMo-uaQqIhttp://youtu.be/2ysq3AYANaA

Stoughtonhttp://youtu.be/kd3YlOLwHPY

Jobs First! of Manitowoc County

Coaches• On-site supporters/cheerleaders/practitioners who

show school staff how to try new practices• Provide resources and direct instruction training• Connect them to other professional development,

training and resources

Policy Team• Members• What it does

What Leads to Better Employment Outcomes

• Earlier work experiences while still in high school • Increased expectations that youth will work• Earlier connection to vocational rehabilitation • Reduced entry for youth into segregated work settings

Better Employment Outcomes Continued

• Better transition training for teachers• Person centered planning to identify interests,

strengths, skills• Access to general education core/academic classes

and extra-curricular activities as they relate to the students’ interests and career goals

Better Employment Outcomes Continued

• Engage the broader community in discussions of youth employment

• Connect students and their families to information on post-secondary and career options, work incentives benefits counseling and community activities, starting no later than age 15.

• Access to transportation to get to work

Helpful Resources

• www.letsgettoworkwi.org • www.wiyouthfirst.org

• http://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dvr/

• www.wsti.org

• http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/P0/p00516.pdf

Beth Swedeen, Executive DirectorWI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities beth.swedeen@wisconsin.gov

Jenny Neugart, Let’s Get to Work Project CoordinatorUW Madison Waisman CenterJennifer.neugart@wisconsin.gov