Post by Diana Rhoads on Apr 7, 2016 1:16:31 GMT
Who Can Fedcap Partner with that have expertise in the identified training/employment sectors?
I worked for the Arc of Monroe County and they have a program called ARCWORKS, it is a factory where the individuals package goods and ship the orders. For the Rochester area, working with individuals who live in residential programs, this type of setting is perfect. They also have a DELIWORKS/cafeteria which employee’s residents from the area residential programs. Programs such as ARCWORKS have lost a considerable amount of funding from the state. Many of the individuals “lost their jobs” due to the funding cuts.
There is also a Jobpath program. This program provides employment counselors ----staff who essentially work with directly with the individuals checking into their job sites, observing, etc. They provide feedback to the individuals on job performance. They ensure that the job is a right fit for the individual.
Who Can Fedcap Partner with to Provide Financial Literacy to our participants.
The residential managers of the residential homes are required by regulation to complete yearly and update yearly a PEP-Personal Expenditure Plan—a detailed summary of how a person will spend his/her money each month—like a budget. The other piece to understanding their financial literacy is the Money Management Plan that goes hand in hand with the PEP. Both are extremely useful tools for the individuals to learn about money. OPWDD has several trainings throughout the year on the PEP and the MMP. Jobpath program would be a good place to start. The Rochester Business Alliance is also a good starting point for direction to area companies and agencies. Todd Baxter, retired-police chief of Gates now is heavily involved in the area of Veterans programs and job placements for Veterans.
Program Design:
(Career Compass) Develop a comprehensive assessment that will address the participants Needs, Barriers, Employment & Educational Goals & Sector Interests which will inform the creation of a Service Plan.
An area of concern that I have is that the majority of our individuals have no opportunities for any type of jobs in the Rochester area. Almost all attend Day Programs which are merely a place to go from 8-3 each day. It is sad that we have Day Programs filled with individuals that have so much to offer yet we do not develop those skills. OPWDD makes it mandatory for individuals to attend these programs that serve no useful purpose but to get the individuals out of the home. Many stay into their 80’s being made to get up each day and attend. Why can’t our individuals have a meaningful life and be able to retire?
Ideas for a Dynamic Orientation which will establish a culture where success is possible and will attract participants to our program
Success coupled with a meaningful, exciting reason to get up and going each day. Establishing a culture where the individuals in residential programs bring home a pay check –even if it is $80 –it is still work and a feeling of accomplishment. To see the individuals happy over a hard day’s work is so fulfilling.
Wegmans grocery stores is a perfect example of a food chain employing people with disabilities that have roles in the company, working alongside other employees without thought that they are different. Enjoying the same benefits that everyone has. We can fill a building with people ready for an opportunity to work. Sam’s Club Warehouse has employed several of the individuals that live in residential programs I have supervised. The individuals have been there for over 15 years. Learning to use public transportation, being on the job site, learning about lunch and breaks, taxes, and even coming home and complaining that work was rough that day. Then of course, learning about taking vacations.
What services should we offer to individuals with Criminal Backgrounds (Court Involvement)
We need to understand the person. What was their background, what led to the arrest? Are there mental health concerns that need attention? If it is not related to your conviction. We need to look at qualifications and personality. We should offer assistance with, education, training, childcare, housing, food, medical care (basic human needs).
I worked for the Arc of Monroe County and they have a program called ARCWORKS, it is a factory where the individuals package goods and ship the orders. For the Rochester area, working with individuals who live in residential programs, this type of setting is perfect. They also have a DELIWORKS/cafeteria which employee’s residents from the area residential programs. Programs such as ARCWORKS have lost a considerable amount of funding from the state. Many of the individuals “lost their jobs” due to the funding cuts.
There is also a Jobpath program. This program provides employment counselors ----staff who essentially work with directly with the individuals checking into their job sites, observing, etc. They provide feedback to the individuals on job performance. They ensure that the job is a right fit for the individual.
Who Can Fedcap Partner with to Provide Financial Literacy to our participants.
The residential managers of the residential homes are required by regulation to complete yearly and update yearly a PEP-Personal Expenditure Plan—a detailed summary of how a person will spend his/her money each month—like a budget. The other piece to understanding their financial literacy is the Money Management Plan that goes hand in hand with the PEP. Both are extremely useful tools for the individuals to learn about money. OPWDD has several trainings throughout the year on the PEP and the MMP. Jobpath program would be a good place to start. The Rochester Business Alliance is also a good starting point for direction to area companies and agencies. Todd Baxter, retired-police chief of Gates now is heavily involved in the area of Veterans programs and job placements for Veterans.
Program Design:
(Career Compass) Develop a comprehensive assessment that will address the participants Needs, Barriers, Employment & Educational Goals & Sector Interests which will inform the creation of a Service Plan.
An area of concern that I have is that the majority of our individuals have no opportunities for any type of jobs in the Rochester area. Almost all attend Day Programs which are merely a place to go from 8-3 each day. It is sad that we have Day Programs filled with individuals that have so much to offer yet we do not develop those skills. OPWDD makes it mandatory for individuals to attend these programs that serve no useful purpose but to get the individuals out of the home. Many stay into their 80’s being made to get up each day and attend. Why can’t our individuals have a meaningful life and be able to retire?
Ideas for a Dynamic Orientation which will establish a culture where success is possible and will attract participants to our program
Success coupled with a meaningful, exciting reason to get up and going each day. Establishing a culture where the individuals in residential programs bring home a pay check –even if it is $80 –it is still work and a feeling of accomplishment. To see the individuals happy over a hard day’s work is so fulfilling.
Wegmans grocery stores is a perfect example of a food chain employing people with disabilities that have roles in the company, working alongside other employees without thought that they are different. Enjoying the same benefits that everyone has. We can fill a building with people ready for an opportunity to work. Sam’s Club Warehouse has employed several of the individuals that live in residential programs I have supervised. The individuals have been there for over 15 years. Learning to use public transportation, being on the job site, learning about lunch and breaks, taxes, and even coming home and complaining that work was rough that day. Then of course, learning about taking vacations.
What services should we offer to individuals with Criminal Backgrounds (Court Involvement)
We need to understand the person. What was their background, what led to the arrest? Are there mental health concerns that need attention? If it is not related to your conviction. We need to look at qualifications and personality. We should offer assistance with, education, training, childcare, housing, food, medical care (basic human needs).