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Overview of Customized Employment - The Employer’s

Perspective

2008 Competitive Grantees Training Conference

Lisa Cuozzo Sternlstern@montgomeryworks.com

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ACROSS:

1) Dogs do it

2) Mosquitoes do it

3) Spiders do it

4) Sharks do it

DOWN:

1) Insects that buzz

2) Organs of vision

3) What big brothers do to little sisters

4) Without effortAdapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

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1

B2

I3

T4

E2

3

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Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

ACROSS:

1) Dogs do it

2) Mosquitoes do it

3) Spiders do it

4) Sharks do it

DOWN:

1) Insects that buzz

2) Organs of vision

3) What big brothers do to little sisters

4) Without effort

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1

B2

I3

T4

E2

B I T E3

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Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

ACROSS:

1) Dogs do it

2) Mosquitoes do it

3) Spiders do it

4) Sharks do it

DOWN:

1) Insects that buzz

2) Organs of vision

3) What big brothers do to little sisters

4) Without effort

5

1

B2

I3

T4

E2

B I T E3

B I T E4

Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

ACROSS:

1) Dogs do it

2) Mosquitoes do it

3) Spiders do it

4) Sharks do it

DOWN:

1) Insects that buzz

2) Organs of vision

3) What big brothers do to little sisters

4) Without effort

6

1

B2

I3

T4

E2

B I T E3

B I T E4

B I T E

Adapted from: Tom Sechrist, Sechrist Associates

ACROSS:

1) Dogs do it

2) Mosquitoes do it

3) Spiders do it

4) Sharks do it

DOWN:

1) Insects that buzz

2) Organs of vision

3) What big brothers do to little sisters

4) Without effort

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People with significant barriers to employment typically can’t take “off the rack” jobs…or if they do,

they often don’t last

Sometimes you must tailor the process

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HELP WANTEDCompany looking for previously incarcerated homeless veteran.

Extensive history of hospitalization and drug abuse

required. Delusional behavior OK. Supportive co-workers. Call for an application.

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Bottom Line Employers are looking for

________________________________

People do business with people they ________________________________

People get jobs based on ________________________________

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Things to Remember Even if an ad isn’t posted there may be

opportunities Employers are always looking for enthusiastic,

motivated employees who are willing to learn Job descriptions are wishlists - they are not

written in stone Employers are looking for value/a bang for

their buck/solutions to staffing issues

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Identify barriers (*)

Reach out to other veteran-serving programs, as well as those who serve the generic population: One Stops, faith-based organizations, etc.

Becomes a win-win (especially when considering common measures)

Step 1: Identify supports needed and support system…it takes a village

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Step 2: Create an individualized team for the veteran

Use action planning sessions (*)

Put veteran “in charge” Set time frames and identify a

section for when help is needed Use team for job development efforts

(everyone is a job developer) (*)

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Step 3: Consider a Portfolio

Traditional resumes are fine for those who can find jobs independently

Participant portfolios contains a number of ingredients: A portrait of the individual Images of competent performance Narrative pages indicating contributions The participant’s Task List developed during

the Action Planning sessions (value) Be sure documents are error-free

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Step 4: Prospect & Research

Let a “Discovery” process lead job development efforts – not the current labor market trends

First step should NOT be looking for placement

Use informational interviews (*)

Develop relationships

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Step 5: Prepare for Negotiations

Plan…and be prepared“Oh Boy” stance“Show Me” stance“Oh No” stance

Consider participant negotiables AND program negotiables.

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Step 6: Closing the deal

Your job doesn’t end when participant’s job begins

Provide customer service that goes above and beyond

Remember Farrah Fawcett?

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What Veteran programs

have learned

from the Customized Employment Process

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Individual Profile: Michael What Michael brings to the table:

Previous work experience (paralegal after the military)

Glowing smile and great customer service skills

Research and typing capabilities Complexities:

NSC disability (injury <1 year) Living in nursing home Attitude towards employment

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What we did together Discovery: Coordinated community work

trials - Michael had no idea what his body could do; assessed accommodation needs

Negotiated: Paid work experience at the One Stop as a part-time office assistant – answered phones, greeted customers, completed data entry

Researched paralegal field: Plan for return to school to receive paralegal certificate

The Village: VWIP VR

One Stop BPAO/WIPA

WIA

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Today:

Michael received his paralegal certificate (online and onsite)

Working part-time in a law firm, earning $25.00/hour)

Working with local Independent Living Center and planning to get his own apartment

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Individual Profile: Helen

What Helen brings to the table: Army Personnel Sergeant and Administrative Supervisor Personnel Management Specialist - leadership coursework Determination High level computer skills

Complexities: lost home/living in car teenage son in trouble with school/law financial/tax issues 30% SC disability

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What we did together Discovery: Inventoried skills, talents,

desires and conditions for employment Networked: Used connections from

DVOP/LVER, business team at One Stop, veteran’s personal connections

Negotiated: short-term and long-term goals

The Village: VWIP Housing Services One Stop Food Stamps WIA

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Today: Helen works for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Chief

Administrative Officer

Helen was also nominated for and received the Montgomery County Department of Economic Development Workforce Determination

Award

Helen

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Individual Profile: Richard What Richard brings to the table:

Honorable discharge Independent Army electrical instrument repairman Enjoys working with hands Resiliency

Complexities: 18 year prison term Living in the park No local support system

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What we did together Discovery: investigated and researched training Customized plan for employment:

odd jobs during job search school/training

Negotiated: a plan for disclosure The Village:

VWIP Work Release

Housing Assistance Community College

One Stop/WIA/Offender Program

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Today: Richard is working

full-time for a

Refrigeration Service

Company as a Service

Technician

Earning > $40,000/year

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Individual Profile: Tim What Tim brings to the table:

Very educated (Pharm.D.) Computer skills Great personality – works well with and enjoys

people Complexities:

Katrina evacuee No fixed living address Multiple short-term jobs “Nothing behind the eyes” – deflated, depressed

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What we did together Discovery: Investigated why failed

certification tests <12 times Customized planning: A, B, and C Negotiated: job shadows and paid work

experience The Village:

VWIP One Stop/WIAProVETS

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Today: Tim works as a Pharmacology Patent Examiner with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

GS12 - $58,660 (>$28/hour)

Also, in following his dream of being a Licensed Pharmacist, Tim is being tutored by a pharmacology lawyer – in preparation for his exam

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Given a choice…

Given the choice between work and idleness, people will almost always choose work.

Regardless of our station in life, the conditions of our bodies and minds, or the amount of money in our bank accounts, the need to work remains one of our strongest drives. Work is central to our lives, and as such, gives a large measure of structure to our days. Common sense tells us that we feel better about ourselves when we are working regularly.

- Robert E. Drake, M.D., Ph.D.

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Consider …

It is amazing how much you can accomplish … when it doesn't matter who gets the credit. Unknown