alberta employment first challenges and opportunities sean mcewen calgary alternative employment...
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ALBERTA EMPLOYMENT FIRST
Challenges and OpportunitiesChallenges and Opportunities
Sean McEwen
Calgary Alternative Employment Services
Roots of Supported Employment
Started in the 1980’s to serve people with Intellectual Disabilities
Paralleled De-Institutionalization and the ‘Community Inclusion’ Movement
Utilizes Career Development / Trait & Factor Theory
Supported Employment - 3 Pillars
Supported Employment is the term used when referring to assisted: career exploration / preparation employment placement job retention services
for persons who need support to be successful in the achievement of these goals.
Service Strategies & Interventions
Intake and Assessment Career Exploration Employment Preparation Job Search and Placement Employer Support and Education Follow-up and Retention Supports
Employment First?
Is a philosophy intended to guide policy and best practice in Supported Employment.
Let’s believe in, and support, employment as the most appropriate vehicle of community participation for working age adults with disabilities.
Employment First is a ‘Best Practice’.
Employment First
Uses typical or customized employment techniques to secure membership in the workforce, where employees with disabilities are included on the payroll of a competitive business or industry,
or are self-employed business owners.
Employment First
The assigned work tasks offer at least minimum or prevailing wages and benefits.
Typical opportunities exist for integration and interactions with co-workers without disabilities, with customers, and/or the general public.
Employment Inclusion Report Card:
Employment Inclusion still in development Research and best practices not utilized in
services Employment / Disability stats virtually
unchanged Inconsistencies in definition of ‘employment’ Supported Employment can be an effective
tool to address labour market inclusion for all
Barriers to Work Inclusion
Core Funding - service ‘stagnation’ Project Funding - service ‘limitation’ Failure to recognize and serve ‘the customer’ Negative ‘service experiences’ in the workplace Failure to incorporate research and best
practices Failure to recognize the critical interventions
Employment First Opportunities
Develop effective services based in best practice
Measure critical outcomes; satisfaction /sustainability
Build real connection with the business community
Develop unprecedented employment inclusion stats
Develop an Alberta ‘Community of Practice’
How Do We Reach Our ‘Destination’
Identify where we want to go Identify the tools and information we
need to get there Identify the critical ‘players’ and roles Evaluate our progress with integrity Support the growth and development of
the services
The Job Description
Facilitation of Employment Inclusion requires a variety of high level skills in order to professionally support job-seekers and businesses to achieve their goals.
It is the most outcomes-based work in the field of disability services, with very high ROI.
Career Consultant Job Overview
Career Exploration (exploring all the options) Assessment of strengths, abilities, interests Resume Development Basic Job Search Techniques Action Plan Development – required ‘steps’ Presentation and Interview Skills Training Workplace Culture and Employer Expectations
Marketing & Employment Placement
Subsequent to Career Exploration, Employment Prep and identification of ‘customized’ job targets, the focused Job Search can begin.
Marketing & Employment Placement
Engaging employers on behalf of job-seekers
Presenting client abilities effectively Presenting agency services effectively Presenting the business case for inclusive
work Addressing concerns and resistance Facilitating interviews and communication Representing client accommodation needs
Retention & Natural Supports:
Connecting clients with existing social supports
Utilizing co-workers as trainers and promoting mentorship
Utilizing supports and strategies inherent to the workplace and its culture
Monitoring and addressing performance, social issues, independence and required advocacy
Critical Elements for Success:
Must measure employment outcomes in terms of job satisfaction and sustainability (over 3 years)
Must support services to re-invent and re-brand Require a range of services to meet the needs
of all Employer Focus is required – they are the
outcome Evaluate and improve services and outcomes A Community of Practice will enhance results
