Work Now Website
How to Use the WorkNow Website
A Handbook
San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center
2015
Contact information:
Ernie Cruz,
Associate Director for Community Services
Background
Employment First is a concept and framework for systems change to facilitate the full inclusion of people with the most significant disabilities in the workplace and community.
Under the Employment First approach, community-based, competitive integrated employment (ICE) is the first option for employment services for youth and adults with significant disabilities. Integrated employment refers to jobs held by people with disabilities in typical workplace settings where the majority of employees are not persons with disabilities and they earn at least minimum wage and are paid directly by the employer.
In recent years, there has been a growing grass roots movement to establish Employment First initiatives in the United States, with 32 states as of 2015 taking formal policy action, including California.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office on Disability Employment Policy also issued a memorandum in 2009 highlighting the importance of the nation’s Employment First movement.
In 2013 Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 1041 which establishes in statute an Employment First Policy (WIC Sect. 4869(a)(1).
“It is the policy of the State that opportunities for integrated, Competitive employment shall be given the highest priority for working age individuals with developmental disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disabilities.”
It was established “in furtherance of the purposes of this division (the Lanterman Act) to make services and supports available to enable persons with developmental disabilities to approximate the pattern of everyday living available to people without disabilities of the same age, to support the integration of persons with developmental disabilities into the mainstream life of the community, and to bring about more independent, productive, and normal lives...” Section 4869(a)(1)
Employment First Policy (Summary):
*Integrated and competitive work is the first option considered for all working age individuals served by SG/PRC.
Individuals may need training and/or supports to be successful, such as individual and group job coaching, job exploration, technical or vocational training, education, and internship programs.
This policy is applied to individuals, through their IPPs, who attend work activity programs and day programs, and to those who request new services.
SG/PRC shall promote the Employment First Policy in the community and provide individuals with developmental disabilities and their families with information about it.
For students, 16 years or older, SG/PRC coordinates transition planning that includes the Employment First Policy. SG/PRC also supports development of new day and work services that have employment as the goal for each person. (Note: The Board approved policy is located at the end of this handbook)
Website purpose
Persons with disabilities want to work and contribute to their communities. Family members know how important gainful employment is for everyone, as do agencies that provide job development and support services. Neighborhood businesses and large employers also benefit from hiring persons with disabilities. However, individuals, their families, service providers and employers may have misinformation about work incentives, employment support, and the impact of earnings on benefits.
The San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center created the WorkNow website to serve its region and others interested in promoting employment of persons with disabilities.
Work Now Website
1) Provides a “one stop” website where individuals, families, services providers and potential employers can locate related resources.
2) Focuses on dispelling myths about “barriers” to employment and providing information helpful to finding a job.
3) Complements the SG/PRC’s Employment First policy.
4) Provides web-based plain language videos for a broad audience seeking to support adults with disabilities obtain employment.
The website home page describes WorkNow and explains what is available on the pages that follow.
Each of the website’s four videos guides viewers to references and videos about general employment facts, the impact of employment and benefits, job support and employer incentives. The website resources are divided into five categories described below.
The Facts
For exploring government and advocacy resources with information about disability-related laws, accommodations, benefits and tools.
Individuals
For job seekers who want information about working in the community. Resources on work and benefits, job supports, and tips on finding a job.
Families
For family members who want information about employment. Resources on work incentives, benefits and job supports.
Providers
For community employment specialists who provide services to people with disabilities. Resources on job coaching, customization and employment development.
Employers
For businesses who want information about hiring people with developmental disabilities. Resources on hiring incentives and employee supports.
WorkNow Development Methodology
The process undertaken to develop the project is as significant as the WorkNow website itself.
Meaningful services and supports require person-centered approaches and consumer engagement for success in service delivery. It was vital that stakeholders with various backgrounds contributed to development and review of each component, validity testing and recommendations regarding accessibility.
Using a user focus group, as well as information collected from online and written surveys, and field tests assured desired outcomes.
Focus Group
Group members included self-advocates (from SG/PRC and chairperson of the State Council Developmental Disabilities, as well as the chair of its Employment First Committee), SG/PRC staff members, education and career specialists, and supported employment agency job developers. Group members reviewed the website videos (scripts and plain language) and resources linked to the site. These efforts resulted in crafting an “Online Resource Usefulness Key,” to use when considering links to resources for individuals, families and employers.
Surveys
Surveys collected information about user experience with the Internet, and comments regarding accessibility of layout and content. These were developed as written handouts and online surveys.
Self-advocate advisors distributed the online survey through their personal and professional online social networks and advocacy groups throughout the state.
Employment providers and staff distributed hard copies at resource fairs, provider gatherings and to agency staff. The results helped to steer the website design, online resource selection and video elements.
Online Resource Usefulness Key
Self-advocate project advisors and the regional center client advocate reviewed and rated each resource using a usefulness scale they developed.
1 star:Hard to read and use
2 stars:Some plain words
3 stars:Easy to read and use
Credits
Many thanks to the WorkNow focus group, survey participants, actors, volunteers, and special advisors for their time and interest.
Special appreciation to Ernie Cruz, Jeff Casillas and the core group of San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center staff members who contributed to the development of this resource.
SGPRC Staff who participated in the video production
Jeff Casillas
Gabriella Cervantes
Cesar Cruz
Eric Paz
Maria Nunez
Tandy Robinson
Jesus Mota
Clarissa Garcia
Nora Perez Givens
Willanette Satchell
Linda Flores
Aaron Christian
Gabi McLean
Floria Garcia
Ernie Cruz
Volunteers who participated in the video production
Natalie Webber
Louise Webber
Jose Meraz
Luana Acuna
Roberto Rolon
Elvia Reyes
Christine Young
Dana Young
Hope Diaz
Sam Yi
Focus Group members
Molly ChenParent
Cathy GottParent
Luana AcuñaEmployment Provider
Jose MerazEmployment Provider
Eddie ChangEmployment Provider
Maria Ramirez-Kraager SG/PRC, Employment First Committee
Aaron ChristianSG/PRC, Employment First Committee
Luz E. StellEducation Specialist
Eileen McConvilleCareer Education Specialist
Self-Advocate Advisors
Molly KennedyBRC Advisor
Kecia WellerBRC Advisor
Jeff CasillasSG/PRC Client Advocate
Sam YiSG/PRC Board Chair
Daniel RodriguezSG/PRC Board member
Production:
Board Resource Center
Website, videos, forms and design
Mark Starford, Director
*San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center Employment First Policy
The Lanterman Act (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 4869) states that it is the policy of California that integrated competitive employment shall be given the highest priority for working age individuals with developmental disabilities, regardless of the severity of their disability. Furthermore, it states that integrated competitive employment is intended to be the first option considered by planning teams.
San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center’s (SG/PRC) mission includes the promotion of independence and full integration into community life. Consistent with state law and its mission, SG/PRC has developed this Employment First Policy. Employment is a significant way for adults to lead an independent and productive life.
Therefore, integrated and competitive work shall be the first option considered for all working age individuals served by SG/PRC. SG/PRC recognizes that individuals may need training and/or other supports to achieve integrated competitive employment. This training may include individual and group job coaching, job exploration, technical or vocational training, post/ secondary education, and internship programs. This policy shall be applied to individuals, through their IPP, who are currently attending work activity programs and day programs, as well as those seeking new services.
SG/PRC shall work with local educational agencies, school-age planning teams, and community organizations to promote this policy. SG/PRC shall provide individuals with developmental disabilities who are sixteen years of age and older and their families with information about the Employment First Policy. For individuals with developmental disabilities in school who are sixteen years of age or older and their families, SG/PRC shall coordinate goal development and transition planning from school that includes the Employment First Policy. SG/PRC supports the development of new day and work services that have employment as the goal for each individual.
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