Technical Assistance Sites

Ten organizations are currently receiving individualized training and technical assistance from the T-TAP staff and the CRP Leadership Network to help develop their programs from segregated work and non-work options to competitive employment opportunities in the community. The training and technical assistance includes program planning, marketing, budgeting, staff development, and financial planning.

Spotlight on Lessons Learned

• Facilitating Change "One Person at a Time"

  Organizations often have difficulty determining which approach may be the most successful when shifting their services from facility-based to community-based. Some close their traditional sheltered workshops or day programs in one massive transformation. However, this radical approach can cause the most upheaval and negative reactions. As an alternative, some organizations have implemented a “one person at a time” approach to organizational change. An advantage to this approach is that the organization's board, staff, and parents are not threatened by sudden change. A disadvantage is the length of time that elapses before individuals with the most significant disabilities are offered access to community services. Read about this Approach to Organizational Change
  

• The Role of Mentoring in Organizational Change

  The Training and Technical Assistance for Providers project (T-TAP) advocates the use of an array of strategies that Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) can use to increase the number and quality of customized employment outcomes for adults with disabilities. Read more about T-TAP's CRP Leadership Network in this brief on lessons learned.

• The Coastal Center for Developmental Services

  When individuals with disabilities make the move to a job in the community, Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) need to consider how friendships from facility-based programs can be maintained. These relationships can be an ongoing source of support that helps an individual succeed in customized employment. In addition, as more individuals become employed, the group members can serve as supports for each other as well as role models for individuals thinking about community employment. One reason that has been given for people staying in sheltered employment is that they fear the loss of their friends. This perhaps is not so different from any individual who leaves one job for another. Read about The Coastal Center for Developmental Services

• AtWork!'s Employment Team Retreat

  When AtWork was selected to receive technical assistance (TA) from T-TAP, the organization had an employment staff of 4 individuals. As part of the TA plan, one staff person was assigned to become the team leader of this group of 4. These staff members represented a broad range of experiences and perspectives on employment for people with disabilities. Many had worked as case managers, job developers, and job coaches. Read about AtWork!'s Employment Team Retreat.

• Developing Linkages to Benefits Planning, Assistance, and Outreach Services presented by EmployAbility

  The impact of earned income on benefits can be a significant barrier to employment for individuals and for family members. BPAO Benefit Specialists can work cooperatively with Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs) to provide information to SSA recipients and beneficiaries. Read about EmployAbility's arrangement with their local BPAO office.

• Success One Person at a Time
  
  EmployAbility is one of the first agencies that T-TAP selected to receive technical assistance when the project began in 2002. Agencies responded to a request for proposals, and EmployAbility received a year of intensive support from project staff and a mentor agency that has been successful in moving individuals with disabilities into customized positions in the community earning at least minimum wages. A success story from EmployAbility follows.