Innovative Youth Employment Services LACL- Youth Works Presenter: Tami Logan DCLS - LEAP Presenter: Annette Borrows
Introduction Tami Logan o Supervisor of employment services for Langley Association For Community Living (LACL) Annette Borrows o Employment Strategy Manager for Langley Association for Community Living and Delta Community Living Society (DCLS) 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
YOUTH WORKS
Why we started? Since 1988, The Langley Association for Community Living (LACL) has offered supported employment services for adults with diverse abilities. 5 years ago, LACL heard from high school students with disabilities, who wanted the opportunity to gain summer employment like their peers. At that time, there was little opportunity with supported employment for youth with developmental disabilities, to assist them in finding and maintaining summer employment. There were no programs or services that were funded to provide the supports needed. With CLBC introducing a work first policy, there is an increasing expectation for youth to find work. But successfully securing work after graduation is unlikely if the graduating student has had little or no work experience. The consequence is that youth are not prepared for employment after graduation.
The Introduction of Youth Works Youth with disabilities need access to summer employment services to gain experience and improve the likelihood that they will secure employment after graduation. In 2010, LACL was awarded a grant from Vancouver Foundation to provide supported employment to youth between the ages of 16 and 19, in grades 10 to 12. In the summer of 2011, the first group of individuals were selected to participate in Youth Works.
Project Objectives Complete a discovery and job matching process with each of the individual students in collaboration with the school and family members. Developing and supporting positive and assistive relationships with local employers. Frequent monitoring and follow-up with employees and employers to establishment of a culture of trust and support that ensures job stability and retention. Support employers to consider expanding employment beyond summer to year round, part time after school and weekends. To raise awareness of attitudinal and perceptual barriers that can limit the number of youth with disabilities who become employed. To learn practical and tangible ways that accessibility and accommodation in the workplace can be successfully achieved. To demonstrate the return on investment enjoyed by employers who hire individuals with developmental disability.
What does the process look like: 1. Students are invited to an informational night with their families to learn about the service. 2. Students submit applications if they decide that the service is right for them. 3. Youth Works staff go through the applications and accept the students who are ready and willing to work for the summer and invite those students for an intake meeting. 4. If a student is accepted, an appointment time will begin the process: o o o o o o Discovery Process Employment Planning Resume preparation Interview skills Job searching/marketing Job Orientation o o o o o On-site supports Job Maintenance Work in Partnership with the Business Community Work in Partnership with the Individual s Personal Networks Follow up
Partner s with Langley School District #35 Worked along side Marvin Moedt, a work experience teacher at the Langley school district 35, who works in the Career Discovery Program. Youth Works becomes the next step to the Career discovery program and gives the youth with diverse abilities who are ready, the opportunity to work.
2011 was a success! 15 students were accepted onto the project. 1 student went away for the summer. The project secured 14 placements. 5 placements continued through September and 3 became permanent. The program secured employer commitments to host program in 2012.
Barriers for 2011 Economic- HST uncertainty.05 Drinking/Driving Law ( affected service industry hiring) Minimum Wage Rate Changes Consumer confidence spending Marketing / Media-Late start- No exclusive Web page / social media Community Awareness- Pilot Project limited business awareness
Trevin at The Real Canadian Superstore
2012 Outcomes! We identified 15 individuals to take part and all 15 secured employment. We were able to provide additional support to 3 other individuals. Of the additional 3, 2 secured employment, and the last individual had specific employment goals and we were unable to find the job she desired in the time frame. 8 placements continued through September, with 7 of those placements becoming permanent.
Barriers for 2012 Transportation proved to be an issue for some. Unable to fill job expectations in the limited time. We needed to broaden intake to the independent schools in the area who were not receiving the supports.
Sam at All Season s Nursery
2013 Success! We identified 20 individuals to take part in 2013. We were able to secure all 20 with employment. We were able to provide additional support to 1 individual. Of the 21 placements, 7 individuals secured part time placements that continued after summer.
Barriers for 2013 Competing with other high school students and university students for jobs. Developing natural supports in a short time (6 weeks). Economic down turn this summer. Higher expectations from employers to be able to do all aspects of job.
Hannah at A&W
2014 Success! Youth Works team identified 18 students and all 18 students secured employment Youth Works was able to provide additional supports to 3 individuals. Of those 3 individuals, 2 were able to secure employment. Of the 21 students, 20 students secured employment. Unfortunately, one student was unable to acquire employment due to her availability. Of the 20 individuals who acquired summer employment, 11 placements continued through to September and 9 of those placements became permanent.
Barriers for 2014 Continued high expectations on the students ability to be able to perform all tasks. Transportation, many jobs require a drivers licence or transportation off the bus route.
Bradley at Big Red Cedar
Check Out LACL S Youth Works Video Presentation!
LEAP Leading Employment & Achieving Possibilities
Delta Community Living Society (DCLS) 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 from May through September 2014-2017. Promote financial and social Inclusion Secure three years of funding for pilot Recruit 12 community Peer Mentors Support 12 Leapers per year 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
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
INTO ACTION Our Solutions employment specialists guide the peer coach-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 schools)
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
SHAWN S STORY
QUESTIONS?