Guest guest Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 Hi all: Laurie brought up a really important point about employment of our loved ones who have disabilities. Many families do not consider their loved one employable. We have much to do to change the world, and the world isn't just the world outside of folks with disabilities. There is still a very strong mindset that says, our children need taking care of...that they are vulnerable and not capable...that they cannot " do it " ...whatever " it " is... If students with disabilities are not expected to work, they will likely not be too cooperative about working. In my humble opinion, everyone can and should work...but perhaps that is for another discussion. Perhaps the five families Laurie referenced didn't like the particular school jobs that were offered... Choice does matter...Noah was offered a great job in his former Junior High school. He could have continued his cleaning job there and they would have paid him, but, Noah doesn't really like sweeping and it was a lot of sweeping...so...choice may have something to do with whether or not an individual will accept what is offered. All that aside, for those families who really see work as the priority, it will be up to us, primarily to advocate and figure it out. It is even better if like-minded families can band together to create cooperatives or develop community resources together. On another note, the Department of Voc/Rehab (DRS) came out with a statement at least five years ago about wanting to serve individuals with more significant challenges. That really never happened, especially as the economy went from bad to worse. Let's face it, many of our loved ones can work, but they may need some level of support forever. I know that Noah will require some assistance to stay focused and on task, probably forever. There was and I think still is a commitment to provide job coaches for 18 months in any new job, with the notion of fading the coach and relying on natural supports. This was for more more " capable " students and post-graduates. There was and may still be a program called the STEP Program (not sure what the acronym stands for) in which a high school student has a case opened with DRS and the schools and DRS partners in serving the student in job training situations, providing appropriate job coaches. The students who fit the ideal profile for STEP are students who have the potential to be close to full time employable and who would be able to work a job without a coach after a period of time. Though Noah didn't fully fit that profile, I managed to convince the school to start him on the STEP program. After he transitioned at age 21, he qualified for his 18 months of job coaching. Then we requested an extension (a year) which he received. Then Noah was fortunate to receive further job coaching at no cost to us, through an agency grant, which, as you know, is now no longer available to anyone. Currently, Noah is receiving job coaching through what Laurie mentioned, ARRA (America Recovery and Reconstruction Act)...federal funds that may not last beyond June. We have been very, very lucky in all of this. Once the funds dry up, we will have to figure out a way to pay for his job coach. I don't expect the funds to last forever... Once again, we have more questions than answers. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 Perhaps some of the transition folks on our list here can clarify some of the STEP information Ellen cites. I know our local schools have accessed this in the past, but how they've applied the funds seems to vary. Anyone else utilize job coaches thru a school/STEP program and how did your transition go when your child turned 22? Did DRS pick up and continue to provide ongoing coaching, or was it less than ongoing/1:1 direct supervision? And Ellen, you can pay for ongoing job coaching with your Home Based Support money. Unless you're already allocating that for other things. The money only stretches so far, after all. P.S. It was Terrill, not me, who mentioned the ARRA funds being used for coaching. I actually did not know that. Ray Graham had gotten ARRA grant money from DRS (same as you said, though, Ellen, drying up this June) and they were using it in an innovative way -- to give microenterprises or small business start-ups owned or operated by individuals with DDs small grants to purchase start-up support services (website development, publicity plans, business planning, etc). That was pretty cool. Laurie From: ELLEN BRONFELD Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 8:23 AM IPADDUnite Subject: Employment, etc... Hi all: Laurie brought up a really important point about employment of our loved ones who have disabilities. Many families do not consider their loved one employable. We have much to do to change the world, and the world isn't just the world outside of folks with disabilities. There is still a very strong mindset that says, our children need taking care of...that they are vulnerable and not capable...that they cannot " do it " ...whatever " it " is... If students with disabilities are not expected to work, they will likely not be too cooperative about working. In my humble opinion, everyone can and should work...but perhaps that is for another discussion. Perhaps the five families Laurie referenced didn't like the particular school jobs that were offered... Choice does matter...Noah was offered a great job in his former Junior High school. He could have continued his cleaning job there and they would have paid him, but, Noah doesn't really like sweeping and it was a lot of sweeping...so...choice may have something to do with whether or not an individual will accept what is offered. All that aside, for those families who really see work as the priority, it will be up to us, primarily to advocate and figure it out. It is even better if like-minded families can band together to create cooperatives or develop community resources together. On another note, the Department of Voc/Rehab (DRS) came out with a statement at least five years ago about wanting to serve individuals with more significant challenges. That really never happened, especially as the economy went from bad to worse. Let's face it, many of our loved ones can work, but they may need some level of support forever. I know that Noah will require some assistance to stay focused and on task, probably forever. There was and I think still is a commitment to provide job coaches for 18 months in any new job, with the notion of fading the coach and relying on natural supports. This was for more more " capable " students and post-graduates. There was and may still be a program called the STEP Program (not sure what the acronym stands for) in which a high school student has a case opened with DRS and the schools and DRS partners in serving the student in job training situations, providing appropriate job coaches. The students who fit the ideal profile for STEP are students who have the potential to be close to full time employable and who would be able to work a job without a coach after a period of time. Though Noah didn't fully fit that profile, I managed to convince the school to start him on the STEP program. After he transitioned at age 21, he qualified for his 18 months of job coaching. Then we requested an extension (a year) which he received. Then Noah was fortunate to receive further job coaching at no cost to us, through an agency grant, which, as you know, is now no longer available to anyone. Currently, Noah is receiving job coaching through what Laurie mentioned, ARRA (America Recovery and Reconstruction Act)...federal funds that may not last beyond June. We have been very, very lucky in all of this. Once the funds dry up, we will have to figure out a way to pay for his job coach. I don't expect the funds to last forever... Once again, we have more questions than answers. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 Beth Terrill was in STEP, it gave her work experience during high school. However the pay was like $2 an hour but it helped her build employment history and work credits toward SSDI rather than ssi, which is great because then she could get Medicare in addition to Medicaid! When she graduated we asked that she transition to a job coach and picked Ray Graham as our vendor. Now she is finally on home base and we use part of that money for a job coach. Ficker Terrill On Apr 5, 2011, at 8:50 PM, " Jerue Family " <jeruefamily@...> wrote: > Perhaps some of the transition folks on our list here can clarify some of the STEP information Ellen cites. I know our local schools have accessed this in the past, but how they've applied the funds seems to vary. Anyone else utilize job coaches thru a school/STEP program and how did your transition go when your child turned 22? Did DRS pick up and continue to provide ongoing coaching, or was it less than ongoing/1:1 direct supervision? > > And Ellen, you can pay for ongoing job coaching with your Home Based Support money. Unless you're already allocating that for other things. The money only stretches so far, after all. > > P.S. It was Terrill, not me, who mentioned the ARRA funds being used for coaching. I actually did not know that. Ray Graham had gotten ARRA grant money from DRS (same as you said, though, Ellen, drying up this June) and they were using it in an innovative way -- to give microenterprises or small business start-ups owned or operated by individuals with DDs small grants to purchase start-up support services (website development, publicity plans, business planning, etc). That was pretty cool. > > Laurie > > From: ELLEN BRONFELD > Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 8:23 AM > IPADDUnite > Subject: Employment, etc... > > Hi all: > Laurie brought up a really important point about employment of our loved ones who have disabilities. Many families do not consider their loved one employable. We have much to do to change the world, and the world isn't just the world outside of folks with disabilities. There is still a very strong mindset that says, our children need taking care of...that they are vulnerable and not capable...that they cannot " do it " ...whatever " it " is... > If students with disabilities are not expected to work, they will likely not be too cooperative about working. In my humble opinion, everyone can and should work...but perhaps that is for another discussion. > Perhaps the five families Laurie referenced didn't like the particular school jobs that were offered... > Choice does matter...Noah was offered a great job in his former Junior High school. He could have continued his cleaning job there and they would have paid him, but, Noah doesn't really like sweeping and it was a lot of sweeping...so...choice may have something to do with whether or not an individual will accept what is offered. > All that aside, for those families who really see work as the priority, it will be up to us, primarily to advocate and figure it out. It is even better if like-minded families can band together to create cooperatives or develop community resources together. > On another note, the Department of Voc/Rehab (DRS) came out with a statement at least five years ago about wanting to serve individuals with more significant challenges. That really never happened, especially as the economy went from bad to worse. Let's face it, many of our loved ones can work, but they may need some level of support forever. > I know that Noah will require some assistance to stay focused and on task, probably forever. > There was and I think still is a commitment to provide job coaches for 18 months in any new job, with the notion of fading the coach and relying on natural supports. This was for more more " capable " students and post-graduates. There was and may still be a program called the STEP Program (not sure what the acronym stands for) in which a high school student has a case opened with DRS and the schools and DRS partners in serving the student in job training situations, providing appropriate job coaches. The students who fit the ideal profile for STEP are students who have the potential to be close to full time employable and who would be able to work a job without a coach after a period of time. > Though Noah didn't fully fit that profile, I managed to convince the school to start him on the STEP program. After he transitioned at age 21, he qualified for his 18 months of job coaching. Then we requested an extension (a year) which he received. Then Noah was fortunate to receive further job coaching at no cost to us, through an agency grant, which, as you know, is now no longer available to anyone. Currently, Noah is receiving job coaching through what Laurie mentioned, ARRA (America Recovery and Reconstruction Act)...federal funds that may not last beyond June. We have been very, very lucky in all of this. Once the funds dry up, we will have to figure out a way to pay for his job coach. I don't expect the funds to last forever... > Once again, we have more questions than answers. > Ellen > > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 What district was the transition program a part of. Sincerely, Maher Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile Employment, etc... > > Hi all: > Laurie brought up a really important point about employment of our loved ones who have disabilities. Many families do not consider their loved one employable. We have much to do to change the world, and the world isn't just the world outside of folks with disabilities. There is still a very strong mindset that says, our children need taking care of...that they are vulnerable and not capable...that they cannot " do it " ...whatever " it " is... > If students with disabilities are not expected to work, they will likely not be too cooperative about working. In my humble opinion, everyone can and should work...but perhaps that is for another discussion. > Perhaps the five families Laurie referenced didn't like the particular school jobs that were offered... > Choice does matter...Noah was offered a great job in his former Junior High school. He could have continued his cleaning job there and they would have paid him, but, Noah doesn't really like sweeping and it was a lot of sweeping...so...choice may have something to do with whether or not an individual will accept what is offered. > All that aside, for those families who really see work as the priority, it will be up to us, primarily to advocate and figure it out. It is even better if like-minded families can band together to create cooperatives or develop community resources together. > On another note, the Department of Voc/Rehab (DRS) came out with a statement at least five years ago about wanting to serve individuals with more significant challenges. That really never happened, especially as the economy went from bad to worse. Let's face it, many of our loved ones can work, but they may need some level of support forever. > I know that Noah will require some assistance to stay focused and on task, probably forever. > There was and I think still is a commitment to provide job coaches for 18 months in any new job, with the notion of fading the coach and relying on natural supports. This was for more more " capable " students and post-graduates. There was and may still be a program called the STEP Program (not sure what the acronym stands for) in which a high school student has a case opened with DRS and the schools and DRS partners in serving the student in job training situations, providing appropriate job coaches. The students who fit the ideal profile for STEP are students who have the potential to be close to full time employable and who would be able to work a job without a coach after a period of time. > Though Noah didn't fully fit that profile, I managed to convince the school to start him on the STEP program. After he transitioned at age 21, he qualified for his 18 months of job coaching. Then we requested an extension (a year) which he received. Then Noah was fortunate to receive further job coaching at no cost to us, through an agency grant, which, as you know, is now no longer available to anyone. Currently, Noah is receiving job coaching through what Laurie mentioned, ARRA (America Recovery and Reconstruction Act)...federal funds that may not last beyond June. We have been very, very lucky in all of this. Once the funds dry up, we will have to figure out a way to pay for his job coach. I don't expect the funds to last forever... > Once again, we have more questions than answers. > Ellen > > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > egskb@... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2011 Report Share Posted April 5, 2011 District 205 York high school. Elmhurst Ficker Terrill Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities On Apr 5, 2011, at 9:19 PM, kmaher229@... wrote: > What district was the transition program a part of. > Sincerely, > > Maher > Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile > > Employment, etc... > > > > Hi all: > > Laurie brought up a really important point about employment of our loved ones who have disabilities. Many families do not consider their loved one employable. We have much to do to change the world, and the world isn't just the world outside of folks with disabilities. There is still a very strong mindset that says, our children need taking care of...that they are vulnerable and not capable...that they cannot " do it " ...whatever " it " is... > > If students with disabilities are not expected to work, they will likely not be too cooperative about working. In my humble opinion, everyone can and should work...but perhaps that is for another discussion. > > Perhaps the five families Laurie referenced didn't like the particular school jobs that were offered... > > Choice does matter...Noah was offered a great job in his former Junior High school. He could have continued his cleaning job there and they would have paid him, but, Noah doesn't really like sweeping and it was a lot of sweeping...so...choice may have something to do with whether or not an individual will accept what is offered. > > All that aside, for those families who really see work as the priority, it will be up to us, primarily to advocate and figure it out. It is even better if like-minded families can band together to create cooperatives or develop community resources together. > > On another note, the Department of Voc/Rehab (DRS) came out with a statement at least five years ago about wanting to serve individuals with more significant challenges. That really never happened, especially as the economy went from bad to worse. Let's face it, many of our loved ones can work, but they may need some level of support forever. > > I know that Noah will require some assistance to stay focused and on task, probably forever. > > There was and I think still is a commitment to provide job coaches for 18 months in any new job, with the notion of fading the coach and relying on natural supports. This was for more more " capable " students and post-graduates. There was and may still be a program called the STEP Program (not sure what the acronym stands for) in which a high school student has a case opened with DRS and the schools and DRS partners in serving the student in job training situations, providing appropriate job coaches. The students who fit the ideal profile for STEP are students who have the potential to be close to full time employable and who would be able to work a job without a coach after a period of time. > > Though Noah didn't fully fit that profile, I managed to convince the school to start him on the STEP program. After he transitioned at age 21, he qualified for his 18 months of job coaching. Then we requested an extension (a year) which he received. Then Noah was fortunate to receive further job coaching at no cost to us, through an agency grant, which, as you know, is now no longer available to anyone. Currently, Noah is receiving job coaching through what Laurie mentioned, ARRA (America Recovery and Reconstruction Act)...federal funds that may not last beyond June. We have been very, very lucky in all of this. Once the funds dry up, we will have to figure out a way to pay for his job coach. I don't expect the funds to last forever... > > Once again, we have more questions than answers. > > Ellen > > > > Ellen Garber Bronfeld > > egskb@... > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2011 Report Share Posted April 6, 2011 You're right that STEP is through secondary schools. Here's what DRS says: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=35174 The very technical details for providers in the program: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=32958 And just useful stuff, vocational & otherwise, from their " Disability & Rehab " section: http://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29727 -Gail ________________________________ From: Jerue Family <jeruefamily@...> IPADDUnite Sent: Tue, April 5, 2011 8:50:43 PM Subject: Re: Employment, etc... Perhaps some of the transition folks on our list here can clarify some of the STEP information Ellen cites. I know our local schools have accessed this in the past, but how they've applied the funds seems to vary. Anyone else utilize job coaches thru a school/STEP program and how did your transition go when your child turned 22? Did DRS pick up and continue to provide ongoing coaching, or was it less than ongoing/1:1 direct supervision? And Ellen, you can pay for ongoing job coaching with your Home Based Support money. Unless you're already allocating that for other things. The money only stretches so far, after all. P.S. It was Terrill, not me, who mentioned the ARRA funds being used for coaching. I actually did not know that. Ray Graham had gotten ARRA grant money from DRS (same as you said, though, Ellen, drying up this June) and they were using it in an innovative way -- to give microenterprises or small business start-ups owned or operated by individuals with DDs small grants to purchase start-up support services (website development, publicity plans, business planning, etc). That was pretty cool. Laurie From: ELLEN BRONFELD Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2011 8:23 AM IPADDUnite Subject: Employment, etc... Hi all: Laurie brought up a really important point about employment of our loved ones who have disabilities. Many families do not consider their loved one employable. We have much to do to change the world, and the world isn't just the world outside of folks with disabilities. There is still a very strong mindset that says, our children need taking care of...that they are vulnerable and not capable...that they cannot " do it " ...whatever " it " is... If students with disabilities are not expected to work, they will likely not be too cooperative about working. In my humble opinion, everyone can and should work...but perhaps that is for another discussion. Perhaps the five families Laurie referenced didn't like the particular school jobs that were offered... Choice does matter...Noah was offered a great job in his former Junior High school. He could have continued his cleaning job there and they would have paid him, but, Noah doesn't really like sweeping and it was a lot of sweeping...so...choice may have something to do with whether or not an individual will accept what is offered. All that aside, for those families who really see work as the priority, it will be up to us, primarily to advocate and figure it out. It is even better if like-minded families can band together to create cooperatives or develop community resources together. On another note, the Department of Voc/Rehab (DRS) came out with a statement at least five years ago about wanting to serve individuals with more significant challenges. That really never happened, especially as the economy went from bad to worse. Let's face it, many of our loved ones can work, but they may need some level of support forever. I know that Noah will require some assistance to stay focused and on task, probably forever. There was and I think still is a commitment to provide job coaches for 18 months in any new job, with the notion of fading the coach and relying on natural supports. This was for more more " capable " students and post-graduates. There was and may still be a program called the STEP Program (not sure what the acronym stands for) in which a high school student has a case opened with DRS and the schools and DRS partners in serving the student in job training situations, providing appropriate job coaches. The students who fit the ideal profile for STEP are students who have the potential to be close to full time employable and who would be able to work a job without a coach after a period of time. Though Noah didn't fully fit that profile, I managed to convince the school to start him on the STEP program. After he transitioned at age 21, he qualified for his 18 months of job coaching. Then we requested an extension (a year) which he received. Then Noah was fortunate to receive further job coaching at no cost to us, through an agency grant, which, as you know, is now no longer available to anyone. Currently, Noah is receiving job coaching through what Laurie mentioned, ARRA (America Recovery and Reconstruction Act)...federal funds that may not last beyond June. We have been very, very lucky in all of this. Once the funds dry up, we will have to figure out a way to pay for his job coach. I don't expect the funds to last forever... Once again, we have more questions than answers. Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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