LEAP Leading Employment & Achieving Possibilities Solutions Employment Services
Introduction Rochelle Ali Vocational Counselor for Solutions Employment Services Annette Borrows Employment Strategy Manager for Delta Community Living Society and Langley Association for Community Living 2
Ice Breaker Connect The Dots Introduce yourself to the others at your table Each person fill out the worksheet independently Discuss your outcomes with the others at your table 3
Benefits Of Youth Employment During School Years Provides functional and meaningful skills that carry into adult life. Builds work ethic. Encourages building relationships early with employers, co-workers and community. Offers a purpose to their education. Fosters opportunity for self determination. Provides community based instruction with local businesses and industries. Integrates curriculum, infusing vocational competencies within other academic and life skill areas. It is a typical right for all young adults. 4
The Facts Youth with disabilities are amongst the most poor and marginalized people in the world. They are routinely excluded from educational, economic, social and cultural opportunities. Numbers of youth with a disability will increase as medical interventions get better and these youth have needs very similar to all other young people. They need to develop skills for employment purposefully and intentionally. Groce, (2004). 5
DELTA COMMUNITY LIVING SOCIETY Delta Community Living Society (DCLS) began providing services in 1963. DCLS offers community based services for Employment, Residential & Home Sharing, Community Inclusion Programs, Recreation, Arts and self advocacy. DCLS delivers a holistic approach in their support for over 225 people
SOLUTIONS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Solutions Employment Services, established in 2009, delivered the Customized Employment demonstration project and led the province in not only service delivery methods but in placement successes as well. Solutions Employment Services continues to be one of the only services that continues to provide a pure customized employment service and currently serves 35 job seekers in Delta, BC
PURPOSE BEHIND LEAP Youth with disabilities are employed in a meaningful way before transitioning from school to work.
LEAP Goals Youth secure employment, supported by Peer Mentors and Solutions staff before they leave high school Promote financial and social Inclusion Secure funding for pilot project and beyond Recruit community Peer Mentors Select and support Leapers to employment Continue ongoing partnership with Delta School District
Peer Mentors Community members are trained as Peer Mentors and matched to a youth with a disability in high school seeking employment.
LEAP Peer Mentors The role of a LEAP Peer Mentor is to create greater independence and selfdetermination in the individual they support Peer Mentors do not provide services but rather enhance the ability of the person they support to access services
The LEAP Retreat Every April LEAP participants meet at Camp Luther for a remarkable two day retreat that included ice breaker activities, survivor themed team work, creation of personal profiles, floor hockey, campfires and lots of entertaining and interactive activities. This is where the matches between Peer Mentors and Leapers are formed.
LEAP VIDEO
HOW Our Solutions employment specialists guide the peer mentor-leaper relationships Activities will focus on each leaper s abilities, skills and choice for employment Activities may be group based as well as individual, including a holistic approach to transition( social, learning, life skills, camera assessments conducted during or after school)
Year One Results For Leapers Outcomes of Year One for 16 Leapers 12 had employment opportunities 9 youth are back to high school 6 employed in permanent positions 2 attending university 2 referred to Solutions Employment 2 attending other Community Living services
Year One Results for Peer Mentors 1 pursuing her Master s Degree in Counselling 4 gained employment in the support worker field 1 is employed in finance 6 are pursuing related career opportunities (nursing, firefighting, medical school, etc) and required practical experience to move forward in their careers
STEPS TO SUCCESS 1. Develop strategic partnerships 2. Secure funding 3. Hire the right staff 4. Develop documents 5. Get the word out 6. Recruit the Peer Mentors 7. Select the Leapers (School district support)
STEPS TO SUCCESS 8. Train Peer Mentors 9. Get to know Leapers-CAMERA assessments 10.Plan and host the weekend event 11.Make the match 12.Start the job hunt-all parties involved 13.Conduct bi-weekly theme parties 14.Continue supporting all partnerships
STEPS TO SUCCESS 15. Negotiate positions 16. Job Coach 17. MentorAbility-3 wishes 18. Final Graduation Celebration 19. Complete Reports 20. Present and share information as requested
SHAWN S STORY
ELIZA S STORY
TARRAN S STORY
QUESTIONS?