BYF 2012-2013

Samantha Suchanek

Her desire to contribute in the community Current vocational training methods were not a

match Abundant strengths and skills Effective Self- Advocate Supportive Family Motivated to Expand Vocational Opportunities Optimal learning occurred with real life experience

V3 Discovery ProcessWhy Sam was chosen?

Sam Suchanek Sam is a young women who attends LESA Transition Services and utilizes services from Community Mental Health (CMH) to support her life ambitions and dreams.

• Lives with her family in Brighton Michigan

• Is very close to her family members

• Active in the community through volunteer work at her church and the Human Society

• Participates in a variety of Special Olympic sports

• Loves and cares for family pets

• Active social life

Our Team

Samantha (Sam) Suchanek - StudentBill Suchanek - DadPleasanna Carter – TeacherChantal Charron - Program ConsultantCrystal McKelvey - Occupational TherapistKristen Capra -Transition CoordinatorRae-Anne Galarneau - CMH Case coordinatorRenee Jones - CMH Psychologist

Interviews and Surveys• Sister - Georgie• Brother - David• CSL worker - Crystal• Boyfriend - John• Classmates - Chad, Martin• Self Interview, Teacher - Pleasanna• Self Interview, CMH Case Coordinator - Rae-Anne• Family Friend - Carol

Surveys and Interviews

Participants were selected based on feedback from Sam and her family.

What we Discovered:A significant amount of strengths, skills and contributions that could translate to vocational opportunities. • Pet care competency• Experience and abilities with dog training• Experience and abilities with neighborhood Day care

ICIE ObservationsFavorite Activities•Dog Walking (11/12, 12/12 at home)•State Poly Hockey Tournament

(11/12 Lansing Michigan)

Favorite Places•Wendy's (12/12 Brighton MI)•Brighton Library (12/12 Brighton MI)

Typical Life Activities•Walking the Dog (11/12, 12/12 at home)•Accessing the Community class (Fridays at School)•Community Ed. Classes

• Tae Kwon Do (Monday & Wednesdays through Howell Parks and Recreation)

• Hip Hop Dance Class (Hartland Community Ed, Thursdays)

Discoveries•Demonstrated independence in participating and navigating the community.•Demonstrated competency with dog training and childcare.•Needed more supports for using public transportation •The level of support needed was greater than anticipated to manage stress with new activities.

Home Visit & Neighborhood Tour

Home Visit Discoveries•Independence with food preparation•Level of competency with animals (care & training)•Various collections of items that are well organized•Uses fan for calming•Independence of her morning routine (up, dressed, out walking dog, etc…)•Surprised by her level of stress due to the home visit

Neighborhood Tour Discoveries•Independently navigated the neighbor hood•Identified where the dogs in the neighborhood lived•Took control of dog and gave various commands•Identified the location of the neighborhood childcare •Crossed streets safely

Vision

Vision•Become a part-time student•Participate in vocational opportunities that involve her skills and interest•Use public transportation

• Make own arrangements •Manage Schedule/ Calendar•Follow stress management plan •Competent Self –Advocate

Discovered•Difficulty with transitions and stress•Difficulty with time competency •Self Advocacy skills have evolved

•Re-wrote Positive Behavior Support Plan

Vocational ProfileInterests/ Preferences / Themes•Working with children•Working with pets•Working with the elderly•Sports •Arts /Crafts/ Music

Skills & Contributions/ Experience•Pet care – dog training class•Day care- neighborhood day care experience•Keep tracks of work dates•Good self-advocate•Competency with cell phone use

Conditions for Success•Structured routine•Active tasks•Support for transitions•Busy schedule of tasks •Clear expectations •Motivating tasks•Part-time work

Connections•Special Olympics•CMH•St. Patrick's Catholic Church•Human Society•Brighton Library

Challenges•Stress & Anxiety•Staying on task•Allergy friendly environment•Time limits for talking

Brain Blizzard

Visual Resume

Sam

Suchanek

Experience Training Dogs

An Apprenticeship under Beth Duman - local expert Dog Trainer and Wolf Expert:

• Basic dog training skills• Training therapy dogs to work with

individuals with disabilities• Handling therapy dogs around

medically fragile children• Puppy Training

Experience Training Dogs

Completed dog training classes and have competency with the following dog obedience skills:

Experience Working with Children

LEAPS GROUPLearning Early Academic Pre-Readiness Skills

Tasks: • Support instruction of

children with letter sounds and gross motor functions.

• Redirection of students. • Singing assigned songs.• Organizing students for small

group instruction.• Safely navigating the

students from one location to another.

• Encouraging students to do their best.

• Facilitation of positive reinforcement

Experience Working with Children

Neighborhood Day Care

• Assisted with supervision of children.

• Played with children• Prepared and

designed art projects.• Facilitated small

groups.• Preparation of food • Helped with snack

time• Facilitated story time

Paying it Forward in the Community

Humane Society

Maintenance of Feline habitats

Socializing the felines Laundry Wash dishes Organize and track volunteer

hours Feed and water felines Groom felines (brushing and

nail care)

St. Patrick’s Church

Assisted with Children's Mass

Escorted children to classrooms by age

Interacted and played with children

Interests

Arts•Music•Movies•Dancing•Crafts•Painting•Photography•Bell Choir

Skills and Attributes that would benefit your business

• Punctual• Responsible• Caring • Confident Problem

Solver• Empathetic• Considerate• Respectful• Intuitive• Follows Directions • Eager to Learn

• Enthusiastic• Independent• Patient• Determined• Strives to be a Role

Model• Confident Presenter• Great Sense of Humor• Helpful • Good Mentor• Kind

Final ThoughtsWhat Sam is Doing Now

Volunteer for LEAPS GROUP•Support instruction of children with their letter sounds and gross motor functions•Redirection of students •Singing assigned letter songs•Organizing students for small group instruction•Encouraging students to do their best

Apprentice under Beth Duman, local expert Dog Trainer and Wolf Expert: •Basic dog training skills•Training therapy dogs to work with individuals with disabilities

Learning to use Public Transportation•Making own arrangements•Time management- to wait for the bus, be on time

Final ThoughtsWhat is Next for Sam

Volunteer opportunity at Independence Village in Brighton•Meeting activity director in April•Set up opportunity and start it in or by May