National Service Programs: Pathway to Employment or Post Secondary

Education

Sheila Fesko Institute for CommunityInclusion

www.serviceandinclusion.org

Toll-free hotline: 888-491-0326 (voice/TTY)

National Service Programs: Pathway to Employment or Post Secondary

Education

Sheila Fesko Institute for CommunityInclusion

Gentle Reminders…

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Please ask questions, share ideas, and comments:

• Don’t be shy, please speak up

• “Raise hand” icon

• Chat window on the right

• There will be a survey at the end

The session will be recorded.

Agenda

• NextSTEP• Member Story• Value of Service Experience • Building Connections between Service and

Disability

– Identify effective practices that support national service leading to employment for individuals with disabilities

– Develop training and TA materials to promote employment opportunities through service

• Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) providers

• Disability organizations/agencies• Individuals with disabilities/family members• Employers

NextSTEP activities • Service Demonstration

– National Organization on Disability– Center for Training and Technical Assistance—Denver

Options

• Policy Demonstration – Developmental Disability Agencies –in conjunction with

the State Employment Leadership Network– Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

• Employer Outreach – US Business Leadership Network

Alex Freeman

Building Character

• Emotional Intelligence• Emotional Health • Clarity and self-awareness• Builds self-esteem and self-confidence• Self-directed decision making

Building Career• Interpersonal skills

– Teamwork– Communication– Conflict resolution

• Hands on experience– Workplace attitudes , expectations– Sustaining work routines

• Hard Skills

Building Community

• Increases personal and professional network• Exploration and Discovery

– Define career interests– Diversity of experiences, people– Expanded sense of possibilities– Exposure to new issues, cultures, communities

How Service can Contribute to Future Goals

• Transition – Use service days/ job shadowing opportunities to

expose students to option of service program

• Work Experience – Service commitment in area of interest or with

program that offers varied experiences

• Return to Work and/or Veterans– Allows exposure to new type of work– Gradual transition into work

Supporting Members while in Service • Support transitioning into service

– Culture/environment match– Address support needs

• Encouraging reflection/journaling that includes documenting tasks completed, contacts made

• Include strategies on disclosure, resume development and community resources in member development

How to Support Alumni in Using the Service Experience to Transition to

Employment/ Post-Secondary Education

• Partner with employment related services for assistance in referrals to service and then as resources for members’ transition to life after services– Vocational Rehabilitation – Developmental Disability Agencies– One-Stop Career Centers

How Disability Entities can Connect with National Service

• Refer individuals with disabilities to service opportunities

• Support service alumni in their transition to employment

• Sponsor an AmeriCorps or VISTA volunteer at your organization

• Participate in state inclusion team –Typically hosted by the state commission

• Connect with the state disability coordinator– http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?

page=coordinatorslist

Resources• Corporation for National and Community

Service – www.nationalservice.gov

• National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) www.serviceandinclusion.org 1-888-491-0326

• Sheila Fesko, NextSTEP– 617-287-4365– Sheila.fesko@umb.edu

• NextSTEP is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (Cooperative agreement #09TAHMA001) and is a project of the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston.

• The National Service to Employment Project (NextSTEP) is a collaboration of the – Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at UMass Boston; – Center for Training and Technical Assistance at Denver Options;– the Start on Success program at the National Organization on

Disabilities; – the State Employment Leadership Network of the National Association– US Business Leadership Network.