Let’s Get to WorkA Community Approach to Improving Employment

Outcomes for Youth

Shannon Munn-Huff

Wisconsin Rehabilitation and Transition Conference April 2012

Learning Objectives• Use evidence-based and promising practices at the

local and systems level to measure employment outcomes

• Identify policy and practice barriers• Identify practical strategies for engaging policymakers

Project framework includes all stakeholdersCombines what research/data shows are:•Most significant barriers;•Strategies and practices that work; •policies that act as both facilitators and barriers to employment.

5 C’s of Evidence-Based Practices in Transition

1. Coordination2. Coursework3. Career Goals4. Community Jobs and Experiences5. Collaboration

Information compiled by Nancy Molfenter, UW-Madison Special Education Doctoral Candidate and Wisconsin LGTW Project Coach

Project framework includes all stakeholders

Four project components• Statewide consortium• Pilot schools• On-site coaches• Policy team

Consortium’s Role• Large: includes representation from all stakeholders,

60-70 people. • Provides input on what is and isn’t working, what

directions to pursue; what policies need to change or improve

• Includes progress updates from schools and three state agencies on progress: practice and policy changes

• Include youth and family tracks, particularly to build self-determination

Pilot Schools• Did a statewide competitive application reviewed by

all six major partners (3 state agencies; 3 ADD partners)

• Looked for interest/ability to develop a broader stakeholder group in their school and community

• Had to commit to implement evidence-based or promising practices…

Practices:• Person-centered planning• School/community mapping of opportunities• Connection general education and co-curricular activities• Summer paid/volunteer community-based jobs• Early connection to DVR• Engaging broader community through a Community

Conversation• School learning circle/community of practice to learn from

each other

Schools Also Developed Their own Creative Approaches to Engaging with their Communities

Grafton Holmen

http://youtu.be/M0rMo-uaQqIhttp://youtu.be/2ysq3AYANaA

Jobs First! of Manitowoc County

Local Collaboration

Community and School Involvement

http://www.news8000.com/schools/assignment-education/Assignment-Education-Spirit-Chain-Business/-/512/17821868/-/86lfct/-/index.htmlChanging Gears , a

community bike recycling program

Early Experiences to Explore

Rhinelander’s Work Experience Class Holmen’s Career Academy

Coaches• On-site supporters/cheerleaders/practitioners who

show school staff how to try new practices• Provide resources and direct instruction training• Connect them to other professional development,

training and resources

Policy Team• Members• What it does

Other Strategies that are connecting Youth

to Employment

DVR Youth OJT

• Emphasis-Training wages paid by Emphasis-Training wages paid by DVR for YouthDVR for Youth

• DVR pays at least 50% of wages for first 500 hours of permanent employment

• Easy agreement with Employer• Part of Let’s Get to Work Project • Made available to all youth served

by DVR

Project SEARCH

• Emphasis-Employment Skills taught on-site with support leading to Employment

• Locations-Madison, Milwaukee, Marshfield and Menominee

• Number of Consumers-50+• Two New Sites in Fall 2013—Waukesha and

Appleton