THE WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

An on-the-job/vocational training program offered by the ACCEPT Education Collaborative for students aged 16 and older with significant cognitive, language, motor, and/or social delays.

Day Rehabilitation Centers offer a variety of therapies but very little work skills training that might provide the possibility for independence down the road. Supported Employment, competitive private-sector employment with support services, offers a practical, challenging, and meaningful alternative to students seeking independence.

As our special education students enter adolescence, their need for work training becomes more urgent. This is especially true of those students who have been educated alongside typical peers -the avenues open to most typical students (college and the armed forces, for example) are not generally available to our students, so appropriate and meaningful alternatives must be provided. The Work Experience Program, which uses the Supported Employment model, offers students a variety of services to meet individual needs.

We believe that students offered frequent opportunities to engage in real life activities and to handle adult responsibilities lead more productive and independent lives. The Work Experience Program offers a range of experiences so our students can make informed decisions about career choices as they enter into adult service networks.

The next few pages describe the philosophy and components of the Work Experience Program.

Most students can have meaningful employment with appropriate planning, support, and job-skills matching.

The Work Experience Program uses proven teaching techniques such as task analysis, prompting hierarchies, and practice/repetition to increase the student's skills repertoire. The program emphasizes increasing endurance, productivity, accuracy, and quality control skills. Because our students have difficulty generalizing, it is important that they acquire their skills in the environment in which they will be used.

The assessment process will consist of formal and informal measurements, including interview, observation, testing, record review, and job site visits. This process will result in a detailed report of the student's interests, current level of functioning and how these may be applied to a job placement. Recommendations concerning specific job avenues to pursue, anticipated job site support needs, and what further academic training may be needed will also be addressed.

The Work Experience Program offers access to an established network of employer contacts. We can identify a job site, the job description and hours to be worked within the site. Employment services specialists will provide support and assistance through the application, interview and hiring process. Job development services will also include formation and implementation of accommodations to the physical space, schedule, tools, equipment, or job description, which may be necessary for the student to work independently. Program staff will negotiate with the employer for whatever accommodations will be made on the job site.

The Work Experience Program can provide trained staff to work as job coaches, offering the student direct support while on the job. The job coach's responsibilities include:

• Provide on the job training to the student using task analysis, educational strategies, and the student's learning style.

• Perform the parts of the job that the student cannot.

• Provide quality control.

• Implement vocational, speech and language, social, physical therapy and occupational therapy goals and objectives.

• Document student progress.

• Support and supervise student in all associated work skills such as, grooming and dressing, money management, social and language skills, time management, mobility, safety, and work habits.

• Facilitate relationships and natural supports in the work place.

• Act as liaison between student and employer

• Develop and implement medical and behavioral emergency protocols when necessary

Students can receive as much or as little job coach support as their individual needs require, with the ultimate goal being to work independently. The Work Experience Program will develop systematic plans to fade support gradually.

The Work Experience Program can offer training and technical support to schools and families as they begin the process of transitioning students to adult service networks. We can provide information regarding new regulations as stipulated in The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (IDEA 97).

The Work Experience Program has access to ACCEPT Transportation, experienced in providing services to students with disabilities. We can provide transportation to and from job sites.

The Work Experience Program will work as part of the TEAM to provide vocational training/employment services to students. Staff will develop and implement work skills IEP objectives and provide progress report information. Staff will work collaboratively with TEAM members to implement speech/language, behavior, and academic goals and objectives within the community. We can also assist school personnel in developing classroom curriculum to support vocational training.

ACCEPT will work with local school systems to devise a package to meet the needs of the student, the parents and the school. Schools may purchase all of the services provided or just what meets their needs.

EMAIL  Marcia Berkowitz for more information