Give a shout for Elaine…..

Over a year ago, Job Squad began working with Elaine to find employment.  Through the “Discovery” process, we found that she likes keeping her immediate environment neat and clean.  She enjoys household tasks that many people take for granted.  After completing an Informational Interview at the Holiday Inn, Elaine was hired as a Laundry Assistant.  We did a Job Analysis of the laundry room position and determined which tasks Elaine was able to perform.  We were able to customize the position in areas where Elaine could do parts of tasks which ultimately assisted current staff to move on to other duties that were not getting completed.  


The middle of April 2013, Elaine was honored by the Management team and her co-workers at Holiday Inn for her one year of service.  She received a pin and recognition of her quality work.  Elaine stated that this is the first time she has worked this long in any position that she’s held. Her supervisors say that Elaine is a big help in the laundry room and because of her skills and interests in other areas of the hotel, she has begun to branch out in additional job duties. Over the past year, it has not always been an easy road for Elaine to maintain employment, but through the support of her employer, service providers, and family and friends, she has made this significant accomplishment. Elaine’s family and friends have confirmed that Elaine has developed self-confidence and independence because of her employment over the past year.  Elaine’s experience is proof that employment works for individuals with disabilities and can be a positive change in a person’s life. 
 

Beech's Apiaries & Honey Producers uses Compensating Balance Loan to Seed Start-Up. Next Step, Kickstarter?

Raymond Beech, owner of Beech's Apiaries & Honey Producers, meets with LaDonna Hardman, a loan officer with  CWV TEL Federal Credit Union, to wrap up loan paperwork. Raymond, in partnership with CWV TEL and Job Squad, secured a small Compensating Balance Loan to aid his start-up by making possible the purchase of an additional 10 bee hive frames and associated tools and supplies (queen bees, smokers, suits, etc.).

This is Job Squad's 3rd Compensating Balance Loan. Information about the first two loans can be found here: Loan #1 and Loan #2.

Raymond has kept bees for the last 6 years as a hobby, in addition to working full-time. He is now exploring the varying ways artisanal apiaries generate revenue, which include--in addition to honey production--the sale of pollen, wax, propolis, royal jelly, bee extraction, pollination, and services related to processing honey for others. Raymond has met with the area's Business Coach with the Small Business Development Center and is seeking support from the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation.

Raymond, a technophile, is also researching other way to share his passion and skills. He looking into securing start-up funding through the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to create a web series to showing the creation of a honey bee house (check out Creativebug for inspiration). Raymond tells his own story best and, after the pictures of Raymond in gear, you can read a draft version of his Kickstarter idea.

Who am I:

Hi, my name is Raymond, father of six, veteran and beekeeper. I love keeping honey-bees and my children love to help dad with the honeybees; but my wife is furious and I’m running out of room (and time according to her.) For the past six years I have been keeping honeybees as a hobby. I really enjoy my honeybees, even when they sting me. But my wife has finally put her foot down; and I can’t say that I blame her.

What is the issue?

You see my bee gear and equipment take up lots and lots of space – a good portion of my Master Bedroom/Bathroom, a large portion of my Living room, a small portion of the kitchen, a little bit of here and there throughout the rest of the house, and of course scattered out in the yard. When I only had two or three hives it wasn’t a big deal – now that I have a quadrupled my hives – it’s definitely an issue. Eventually I would like to have a few hundred hives – but that’s another story.

What is the Project?

To create a website explaining who we are, what we do and will do, our team, and much more. Our primary goal is to create a web series that shows the planning, designing, and construction of a building or the purchasing, moving and setting up of modular or trailer – to use as a honeybee house; and of course the moving of my honeybee gear, equipment, and hives (which should be an extremely fun-filled day) into this honeybee house. 

As stated previously some of my children show a real interest in my bees and actually help me with my honeybees (imagine that – they can move away from the computers, consoles and phones for more than twenty minutes.) Unfortunately a lot of the work can’t be done on my living room floor (we’ve tried and failed miserably.) With a new building to house my gear, equipment and bees; it could also be designed to with a designated area to work in – which would offer a place where my family’s passion can grow. While working together building our bee boxes, frames, or splitting hives; all while growing a family bond.

Making Connections builds a solid path to employment.

Rodney Bowers is not a first time job seeker.  He had been employed through a sheltered workshop and also through a large corporate chain store but he knew there was something more for him out there.  Networking and making connections with the job seeker is essential to gaining access to local business owners.  With the help from a connection to a local business owner, Rodney has been able to reach the first milestone, for a long term dream.   This is to work in the trucking industry.  He has envisioned a long term goal as a truck driver; however, this takes extensive training and knowledge of the trucking industry.  Without connections in this field, little to no experience can be a great barrier for many people.  Rodney has a chance to reach many of his dreams in this area.  He has recently been hired by Connor’s Trucking, a locally owned family trucking company.  He has to prove his worth and his grit to become a shop apprentice.  Through hands of training Rodney will be able to learn mechanical skills that will  provide extensive building blocks to get him closer to his long term goal as a truck driver.  The first steps are usually the hardest, learning the tricks of the trade and showing one’s worth as an integral part of the shop team.  Rodney is on the right path to lead him to his ultimate goal.  He works five days a week receiving the hands of training he needs to become knowledgeable of the skills and responsibilities associated with working in the trucking industry.  Attached is a video of Rodney using a power wire brush so he can remove the paint from the fork lift so he can prime and paint it.

Working Interests

Meet Norma from Braxton County, West Virginia. 

Norma moved to West Virginia from out of state to live with her daughter and family.  She has been searching for employment for the past six months with the assistance of JSI.  Norma is signed up for services through the WV DRS and has had the opportunity of doing a Community Based Assessment (CBA) which allows Norma to go out into the community and find businesses that she might enjoy working at.  Through this process,  JSI contacts a business and schedules an Informational Interview where we and Norma can learn more about the business.  After contacting several businesses, we found a business that Norma was interested in.  Norma has been working at the new Book Warehouse located in the Flatwoods Mall. 

The Book Warehouse is a new bookstore that recently opened its doors.  At the bookstore, Norma has been reorganizing the entire book audio section.  She really enjoys working at the bookstore because Norma loves reading.  She has been organizing all the audio books in alphabetical order.  She has learned how to "face" or "spine" a book to allow for space and attractiveness on the shelf.  As the bookstore receives new shipments, more books are added to the shelves.  Norma has been working in this one area of the bookstore and really enjoys the work.  She said that it gave her an opportunity to learn new authors and what books are available.  The tasks that she performs allow Norma's skills and experience to shine through.  Norma also enjoys the social aspect of the work where she has the opportunity to chat with customers and the employees about books. 

Norma is also involved in the community through service at the Thrift Store in Gassaway and the Senior Citizens in Sutton.  She attends church on a regular basis with her family and feels that Braxton County is now her new home. 

No Limits

Spencer is a recent high school graduate looking to make his mark in his community.  It didn't take Spencer long to find his fit into a small family niche at the Holiday Inn Express.  With the booming gas and oil industry in the area, the local hotel staff are more than busy.  Spencer was able to step right in to the group and alleviate the work load for the housekeepers.  He learned the hotel standard for folding and washing the linens, stripping and cleaning the rooms, and general housekeeping duties.  He started his work schedule with two days a week and increased his time to three days per week.  When talking with the hotel staff, they agree that Spencer's hard work pays off and his free spirit adds an integral part to the family dynamic at the hotel.  But Spencer doesn't stop there.  He is an active member in his community and an avid WVU fan.  He is also extremely fond of the entertainment industry and is scheduled for a tour and possible volunteer assigment with a local volunteer based theatre group, MT Pockets.  With all of Spencer's interests and tenancity Spencer has no limits. 

Customizing Employment

One of the many services that Job Squad provides for their job seekers is Customized Employment (CE).  CE is actually defined as individualizing the employment relationship between employees and employers in ways that meet the needs of both.  It is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, needs, and interests of the person with a disability, and is designed to meet the specific needs of the employer.

While working with two of our job seekers, we discovered that one had previous experience doing laundry in a group home for all the residents.  Our other job seeker had experience doing laundry at home for her family members.  Both individuals were interested in working in a service type industry.  By developing a business relationship with a local hotel, we were able to meet with the manager for an Informational Interview.  We identified specific job duties and employer expectations in the interview, and had the opportunity to negotiate with the employer the job seekers’ strengths, needs, and interests.  Once each job seeker was known by the hotel, work was explored on their terms through On-the-Job-Training (OJT).  Each job seeker was allowed to observe duties that were done in the laundry room area.  Because of negotiation, the job seeker was not expected to work in “housekeeping”, but instead, work in the “laundry” area only.  Through CE, job tasks were negotiated that enhanced each worker’s competencies and provided them with an ideal condition for employment.  Each of our job seekers has certain duties to perform that are unique to their abilities.  One of the job seekers job tasks include folding the pillow cases, wash cloths, bath mats, and small and large towels only.  The other job seeker completes tasks such as unloading the laundry chute, loading and unloading the washers and dryers, setting the controls on the machines according to the load that is to be washed or dried, and folding all the linens except for the flat and fitted sheets.

Both job seekers were openly welcomed at their new employment sites.  The hotel staff gave them a smock with their nametag just like the other employees wear.  Each job seeker works at a different hotel site, but it is the same chain.  Both are extremely happy with their employment and the employers are happy with their new employees.  Each job seeker attends mandatory staff meetings just like any other employee, and both are earning a competitive wage.  The hotel management is willing to work around their schedules so that the job seeker can keep doctor appointments or other appointments that arise.  The employers and co-workers have told me they look forward to having our job seekers working at the hotel.  Not only do they meet the needs of the employer, but they feel they are a blessing to have them on board working with them.  Customized employment is a useful means of allowing people with significant disabilities the opportunity to work in an environment where their strengths, needs, and interests are fulfilled and the employer’s specific needs are also met.

Micro-Loan is Jerry's "Ticket-to-Work"

Jerry just landed a management position with the Hair Cuttery of Charles Town, West Virginia.

(click on photo to watch interview)

After being unemployed for over 10 years, he is happy to be back working in the profession he loves.

Jerry’s career in cosmetology spans over a decade. He has worked in hi-end salons from the suburbs of Washington D.C. to the sunny beaches of Florida. One of the high points of his career was running his own styling salon on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.

But then a decision to join the armed forces led to some unusual experiences. Jerry served alongside Special Forces who were in arctic combat training while stationed in Alaska. His health was at its peak when he decided to leave the service. Not long afterward, Jerry developed a condition necessitating double hip replacement surgery. Resultant complications left him with excruciating pain that was unmanageable. In this condition employment seemed completely out of the question.

In 2010, while undergoing therapy at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center he met Laura and fell in love. After being happily married for almost a year Jerry decided it was time to try going back to work. After considering a number of employment possibilities he came to the conclusion that going back into cosmetology was his best shot.

The biggest barrier Jerry had in returning to the profession was financial. He knew that he was eligible for using a Social Security work incentive called Ticket-to-Work. Locating Job Squad through the Employment Network listings in West Virginia he made a call.

After explaining how the “Ticket” program works, the question was asked: “What do you need to return to work?” After a few minutes Jerry had a mental list of things which included: one of the latest editions Milady’s Standard Cosmetology (around $100); a mannequin for taking the state cosmetology license exam; a set of professional quality clippers, trimmers, and edgers (starting around $1,000 and going to the many thousands of $s); a custom built stool that would give him the need support without aggravating his pain; and the fee for exam, license, and travel expenses. It all conservatively totaled a little over $2,000. After being out of the profession for over 15 years Jerry only had his extensive experience. He needed to start over with getting his professional license and equipment.

Job Squad has a micro-loan fund that is available to persons who have a critical barrier standing between them and employment. Arrangements were made for Jerry to receive a loan. After a year of hard work, he passed his cosmetology exam on the first try with flying colors. But on top of that, after his interview with the Hair Cuttery, a well established company with over 1,000 salons nationwide, Jerry was offered a management position.

Congratulations on your successful return to the Cosmetology profession. Job Squad wishes you future success in pursuit of your dreams.

Document Destruction Assistant

Derek has been working at Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV since April 1,2011. I had the privileged to begin working with Derek as his career counselor in September 2010. Derek previously worked for 21 years in a local sheltered workshop. Other than the sheltered workshop he had no other employment history. Derek has been very lucky to have strong family support.We was fortunate to use his family and social networks for the development of his work site.Derek was very persuasive with his desire to be an employee of the college, where both of his parents had retired. Initially we worked with the WV Department of Rehabilitation Services to develop a suitable work training program. We contemplated the possibility of writing a PASS, use of an IRWE, or resource ownership were tools discussed but the college was in favor of hiring Derek as a temporary,part time employee. Derek was hired for 750 hours at minimum wage. This particular employment venture has given him the opportunity to make new friends and to develop working relationships with his co-workers. Derek was given the title of a " Document Destruction Assistant". With such a strong title came the responsibility of shredding sensitive documents and forms for the college. Derek initially received 100% job coaching but his performance enabled us to fade in September 2011. Derek is a hard worker, and he has the ability of staying focused and precise. Derek's smile and enthusiasm has been a wonderful addition for the staff at Wesleyan college.

Sandy Marfield

A job of her own

Angela has been working at the Morgantown Early Learning Facility (ELF) for the past four years. Angela has been receiving job coaching assistance from Job Squad from the beginning. Angela’s job duties include: ensuring the children are safe during playtime outside, prepping for lunch, preparing tooth brushes following meals, meal clean up, activity initiation while indoors and outdoors, nap prep/back rubs, and other general day care duties. Angela has been working three days a week for 5 hours per day. Over the past four years Angela has gained the experience and the confidence to complete all of her job duties independently. For the past year, Angela’s Job Coach, has been encouraging ELF administrators and Angela’s Title XIX Waiver team to begin job coach fading, because Angela no longer requires assistance with her job duties. Angela’s Supported Employment Team with Job Squad has been on board with job coach fading from the beginning. Angela’s family has also been open to job coach fading once Angela proved that she is able to complete her duties on her own.

This summer Angela’s Job Coach spoke with the Administrators of ELF and it was agreed that Angela should begin job coach fading immediately. Evidently the new administrators are greatly impressed with Angela’s work. She has been hailed as one of the best employees at ELF. Not only is Angela approved for job coach fading but she will also increase her hours of work per week. By the end of June Angela is now totally independent at ELF. She receives only transportation support from Job Squad. Angela is working Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s, and Thursday’s from 11am-4:30pm. Her summer hours increase as her schedule allows.

Angela has been a success of her own making. Through hard work and determination she has proved her worth as an important member of the team at ELF. Congratulations to Angela!

Discovery Continued...

As we continue on with Discovery, we are working with the job seeker to find out what their vocational themes are. We try to narrow their themes into three categories, yet broad enough to cover various employment opportunities within the vocational theme. The themes are not job descriptions. They are a large umbrella of topics that represent an accumulation of many jobs, environments, skills/task sets, and interests.

The job seeker we are working with is interested in vehicles. He has pinpointed his interests about vehicles into detailing the vehicles. After attending several informational interviews about vehicle detailing, the job seeker obtained a work site which will allow him to explore his vocational theme. The manager of the detail shop explained that he wants the job seeker to learn the tasks required of this position from the ground up. Since he has began his new work trial experience, the job seeker has been washing vehicles using a pressurized water hose, washing the vehicle with a sudsy brush, rinsing the vehicle off, and drying the vehicle. He has also cleaned the tires, and the windows inside and out. (See the attached video of our job seeker working in the car wash/detail shop.) The shop manager explained what chemicals to use in each process. He has also vacuumed out the vehicles.

Because of discovering what the job seeker’s vocational theme is, he has had the opportunity to find out if this is the type of work he wants to do for a living. Detailing is just one area under the vocational theme of vehicles. There are many other areas we can explore if the job seeker desires to go in a different direction. The job seeker is adjusting to this new work site and is learning skills that he didn’t have before. He has gained self confidence and social skills and has adapted to his environment. Aren’t these the qualities that make a good employee?

Pretty Blue (Eyes)--Stormie's Take

Hi! My name is Stormie and I am 27. I am from Clarksburg and I am working with Job Squad to get a job somewhere. I graduated from High School in 2003 and since then I've been married, widowed, and twice more engaged.

I have learned a lot with Job Squad, right now we are doing things in the community related to my skills and interests, which include things involving computers (I use a Pathfinder and do a lot of social networking on Facebook and dating chatrooms), animals (I volunteer at the Humane Society), and children (I have 2 nephews).

My skills include typing and meeting people online.

I will get a job!

Here are a few videos of things I've done:

Facebooking

College Research



Humane Society

 

Resource ownership: A tool for employment success

Jimmy Manno used Resource Ownership, a technique pioneered by Griffin-Hammis Associates, to create his job. A previous blog entry, Jimmy and the forklift, discussed the details of the Resource Ownership relationship with Bob and Robin Sharp, owners of Grafton Farm & Home Supply.

Job Squad has been receiving training and technical assistance for the last 2 years from Griffin-Hammis, Associates (GHA), through a grant provided by the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council (WVDDC). We used the knowledge and skills gained through our relationship with GHA and the WVDDC to facilitate Jimmy's job creation.

In order to financially qualify for the Medicaid Waiver, Jimmy needed to spend funds related to a life insurance policy in his name. He used these funds to negotiate paid employment by purchasing a fork lift, which saved the owners thousands of dollars in operating costs.

Jimmy has been hired as an employee for over a year now; he states that he loves working with the owners and his co-workers at the store. Bob commented that it is a good fit for Jimmy, his personality and job skills have been an asset. He takes pride in his accomplishments and he enjoys working with public.

Jimmy's daily routine consist of getting up early going to exercise at the local gym, and then off to work. He enjoys cleaning the floors, rolling the oats and assisting the customers with their purchases. Jimmy gets very excited when talking about his job, and he loves being able to see his friends and neighbors. When asked if he would like to do anything different he responded "no, this is my job."

Jimmy's father is very pleased with Jimmy's overall success! He commented not only on the advantage of resource ownership considering a small business's needs, but also on the huge avantage it has been for his son."Jimmy has had fewer seizures, and appears to be much happier. This experience can be compared to that of a perfect marriage, everyone wins."

Steven just got his PASS for a new career.

But it isn't exactly a free PASS.

His PASS is a Plan to Achieve Self-Support that will require a lot of hard work. Steven's new career requires that he have a West Virginia Commercial Driver's License (CDL), which means he has to take an extensive written exam along with a driving test in an 18 wheeler. You don't just walk in and take these tests and expect to pass.

To help Steven obtain a WV Class A Commercial Driver's License, he will be enrolling in the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics Technical Career Training School. The Clarksburg, West Virginia PIA campus offers a CDL course. PIA is one of the leading schools in the country supplying drivers to the road transportation industry. PIA has trained and graduated over 8,800 students through their multiple-campus training system. PIA prides itself in providing state-of-the-art training with state-of-the-art equipment.

Steven, along with many other residents of West Virginia, are eligible for a Social Security Work Incentive known as a PASS, a Plan to Acheive Self-Support. A PASS is an SSI work incentive that lets you use your own income or assets to help you reach your work goals. For example, you could set aside money to go to school to get specialized training for a job, which is what Steven is doing. Or, it could help you to start a business. A plan is meant to help you get items, services, or skills you need to reach your goals.

For more information, please see http://www.passplan.org/

The tuition for PIA's CDL school is around $5,000. If it weren't for Social Security's PASS work incentive, there's no way Steven could save enough money to get his CDL license. So the work incentive in a way, IS a FREE pass to a new career, as far as accumulating the necessary funds to go to school is concerned. Beyond that, it's up to Steven to 'put the peddle to the metal' and dig into his studies and training.

Congratulations, on receiving approval from Social Security for your PASS to enroll in PIA's top rated school for obtaining a Commercial Driver's Licnese!

TRUCKERS MOVE FREIGHT, DRIVERS MOVE TRUCKS, TRUCKING MOVES AMERICA