Cobb/Douglas Community Services Board

Individual Barrier to Competitive Employment

The participant had been attending a traditional day program for ten years that focused on her having a dual label of mental retardation and mental illness. Her day consisted of repetitive daily living skills training. The day staff supporting her did not have the time to discover her unique strengths, gifts, and talents within this traditional model. It was difficult for her family and those around her to visualize her working in the community. As a result of these beliefs, there was a sense of learned helplessness from the participant.

Strategy to Address Barrier

The participant was identified as a candidate for competitive employment through staff interactions with her and her family. A strong focus was placed on getting folks into the community through employment. Staff were asked to work with the folks and their families to identify individuals who would like to get out of the facility and into community placements. The strategy was to begin with willing individuals and their families in hopes that their successes would encourage those who were more resistant to the changes to open up.

With the person’s input, orchestrated a Circle of Support to learn about the person’s unique skills, talents and strengths and to begin envisioning a job in the community.

The participant spent time outside the day program doing things she liked so that staff could learn about her in different environments other than a day program.

Created a Vocational Profile to determine the kind of job she would love to do that took into account her desire to dress-up, have a computer and work with other professionals.

Case Example of Individual Change Strategy

The Employment Consultant spent time in several companies simply observing the social climate because the Circle of Support and the Vocational Profile illustrated the need for the participant to have a work setting that was calm, upscale and flexible. It was also important for her to wear professional attire, and carry a briefcase.

A company was identified, Deloitte Consulting, that met these specific requirements. While the participant could not meet all the duties required in the company’s various job descriptions, she could meet some of them with job coach and co-worker support. A position was negotiated with input from Deloitte’s Human Resource, Administration and Senior Management staff. The company is located in a corporate office high-rise in downtown Atlanta. The job duties involve carved-out, simple data-entry, office supplies distribution and conference room scheduling.

The company provided a lap top computer, 15 hours a week of part-time employment, help with transportation and co-worker support. All the conditions of employment were negotiated prior to job acceptance.

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.
The Cobb/Douglas Community Services Boards (CSBs)
HPS, Helping People Succeed, Inc.
KFI
Rise, Inc.
Via of Lehigh Valley