“I’m Able to Work”

Sunrise Community's Initial Project Outline

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Introduction

People with disabilities in Collier County want to work.  It has been the experience of Sunrise Community of Collier County’s STRIVE program which offers employment services that there is a pool of consumers with more challenging employment needs than those met by the traditional supported employment placement procedures and traditional employment guidelines (20 hours per week, year round employment, etc.)  Because of physical and/or behavioral limitations and need for specialized training needs, these individuals have not had the chance for meaningful employment or advancement.  Many of the individuals served in our ADT lack the requisite pre-employment skills necessary to approach employers in a successful manner, complete applications or interview for available positions.  There are individuals seeking services who would benefit from this training/placement approach and there are individuals currently employed who could seek job and/or career advancement if provided additional employment skills training.  On the other hand, there are employers in the area that have needs for jobs and services to be performed that are unmet due to financial constraints including needs to meet budget guidelines and difficulty recruiting and hiring reliable employees to perform functions necessary for the smooth operation of their businesses.  Developing a pool of employers and employees with matching needs benefits everyone.

Project Overview

Sunrise Community of Collier County is set to begin an exciting and innovative program that will be the foundation of future jobs for people with disabilities in Collier County.  The project involves an innovative, multimedia approach including the use of computer hardware and software to:
 

1.      Develop and implement software and hardware, video, and other media materials and instruction protocols that will assist individuals in securing job interviews, preparing for interviews and finding the right employment opportunities.

2.      Provide computer-assisted, video, and other multi-media instruction to a minimum of 15 individuals.

3. Secure employment in enclave, entrepreneurial, mobile work crew or individual permanent or temporary positions at or above the minimum wage for a minimum of 7 of the 15.

 The I’m ABLE to Work project will serve a minimum of fifteen individuals with developmental disabilities recruited for the project.  All participants will receive individualized instruction using developed multi-media materials.  A minimum of 7 of the 15 participants will secure community-based employment.

The Center for Assisted Living Innovation at Florida Gulf Coast University will review and assess available computer hardware and software, videos and other instructional materials for use in developing a course of instruction, and will direct the implementation of the instructional programs.  One full time employment staff will assist with multi-media instruction and provide coaching services to secure employment.

Schedule Outline

Phase I will address the review, assessment, acquisition and development/implementation of multi-media equipment and technology.  One part time staff person with appropriate expertise will be hired to initially assess available computer hardware and software, video and other multi-media materials, make recommendations for and finalize purchase. 

Phase II will see the development and implementation of an instructional protocol using multi-media materials.  The focus of developed curricula will be on preparing individuals to secure job interviews, be able to interview successfully and secure community-based employment.  Training conducted will include instruction in areas such as ADL (activities of daily living), social skills, communication skills and employability skills such as how to secure and retain employment, resume creation and job interviewing techniques.  Near the end of phase II, a second full time staff person will be hired to assist in participant recruitment, instruction, assessment and job placement.

Phase III will identify and enroll 15 participants and see creation of a “training plan” for each individual served based on consumer assessment, information from support plans, consumer satisfaction surveys and interviews.  Review of strengths and weaknesses and stated preferences will be used to tailor individual training plans.  Participants will be provided computer-assisted, video and other multi-media instruction. This phase will in addition to pre-employment skills training, focus on pre-vocational counseling with a goal of “best-fit” job matching.

Phase IV will consist of data analysis of training programs and pre-vocational counseling,  job placement in appropriate enclave or individual employment and on-the-job training.  This phase will also include the design of appropriate follow along services for maintenance of successful employment and assessment of satisfaction with job placement using a consumer satisfaction survey and interview techniques.

Staff will receive training utilizing Community Employment materials and training of project guidelines, content and objectives.  The I’m ABLE to Work Project will be presented to potential candidate participants through service coordinators, parents and other professionals as well as directly.  Fifteen participants will be recruited.  All fifteen participants will receive assessment services, pre-placement training and prevocational counseling.  Seven of the participants will be placed in employment; mobile work crew, enclave, entrepreneurial or individual permanent or temporary positions at or above the minimum wage.

Expected Project Outcome

The project has four main goals.

Goal 1:  Recruit and train one full time and one part time project staff.

Goal 2:  Develop and implement multi-media instructional programs.

Goal 3:  Recruit, assess and provide pre-employment training for a minimum of 15 project participants.

Goal 4: Place a minimum of 7 program participants in community-based employment.

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