Community Involvement Programs

Individual Barrier to Competitive Employment

Case Examples of Individual Change Strategy

This individual came to Community Involvement Programs following her last year in high school. While in school, she had a variety of ìwork experiencesî including working at a Burger King, a beauty school, a farm, and in sheltered workshop settings. She expressed an interest in having a community-based job and discussed how she wanted to work in a setting with senior citizens. Her support team that included her mother and foster mother wasnít so sure that she should or could be employed in the community with minimal supports. Over the course of two years, we were able to find her a volunteer position at a Lutheran senior care center as well as some part-time employment with a local transportation provider, at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, and as a substitute in some other positions.

She continued to express her interest in working with seniors. A CIP Employment Representative continued to pursue employment opportunities for this young woman. In the meantime, she became active in Partners in Policymaking (an advocacy development program) and in starting a self-advocacy group within CIP. She also enrolled in a First Aid and CPR class that was taught by a CIP staff person. Her ability to speak for herself, her experience working with seniors on a volunteer basis, and her certificate in First Aid and CPR played a major role in her being offered a full-time position at a local assisted care facility. She continues to thrive in this job in which she is supported naturally.

The major barriers that this woman faced were the low expectations people had for her. She was perceived to be more dependent than she was.

Strategy to Address Barrier

• An Individual Career Planning Profile was developed with the input of her family, her foster mother, and county case manager.

• Regular and consistent communication with family and residence about job development and potential jobs.

• Promoting her participation in self-advocacy organizations and events.

• Negotiating with employer to provide supervision and training once a job had been found.

• Continued communication with all stakeholders.

Strategies to Address Barriers:  Organizational | Individual

Allegan County Community Mental Health
The Arc of Stanly County, Inc.
Career Design & Development Services
Career Support Systems, Inc.
Community Involvement Programs
The Cobb/Douglas Community Services Boards (CSBs)
HPS, Helping People Succeed, Inc.
KFI
Rise, Inc.
Via of Lehigh Valley