vcu-rrtc webcast. what parents need to know about community-integrated employment cherie takemoto...
TRANSCRIPT
VCU-RRTC Webcast
What Parents Need to Know About Community-Integrated
Employment
Cherie TakemotoParent Educational Advocacy
Training Center (PEATC)
Objectives
• Understand key role parents play in helping people with disabilities find and keep jobs.
• Explore tension and growth when parents transition from key decision-makers to active supporters of self-determination.
Objectives
• Discuss challenges and opportunities of collaborating with families
PEATC Mission
PEATC Believes
• All children deserve opportunities to live, learn and participate fully in their communities.
• Families are children’s first and best teachers.
PEATC Believes
• Information and training enrich and empower families and professionals to build strong partnerships.
• Children with disabilities can achieve independence and make valuable contributions to society with the right supports.
PEATC Programs
• Information & Technical Support
• Outreach
• Advocacy
PEATC Programs
• Training
• Products & Publications
• Literacy, Research & IT
NEXT STEPS: The Transition SeriesTraining for Parents & Professionals to:
• Help young adults transition from school to full community life
• Bring together parents, educators, adult service professionals, self advocates to train and learn
NEXT STEPS: The Transition Series
• Focus on transition, employment, community life, supports, planning for future, self-advocacy
Why Mothers Havea Tough Time
• If we are concerned, we are overprotective; if we are unconcernedwe are neglectful.
• If we are involved, we are demanding; if we are not, we are detached.
Why Mothers Havea Tough Time
• If we have high expectationswe are unrealistic; if we have simple aspirations we set our sights too low.
• If we nurture generously, we are smothering; if we nurture less we are withholding.
Why Mothers Havea Tough Time
• If we offer advice, we are controlling; if we refrain, we are disinterested.
• If we phone, write or visit often, we are pests; if we don't, we are uncaring.
Why Mothers Havea Tough Time
• If we help with tasks or give or loan money, we cultivate dependency; if we don't, we are unsupportive.
Jordan Miller, MD Center for the Study of Women's Psychology From PACER Publication: Family as a Critical Partner
Myths
• Youth/Adults with disabilities should be the sole focus of intervention
• No need to involve the families
• Family involvement can only be gauged by attendance at meetings
Myths
• Parent tracking is okay
• Families have nothing to offer
• Involving families means involving mothers
*adapted from American Youth Policy Forum’s No More Islands
Benefits of FamilyInvolvement• Reduced
– Drop Outs– Risky Behavior– Use of Social Services– Illegal Drug Use– Juvenile Justice Involvement
Benefits of FamilyInvolvement• Increased
– Attendance and Graduation Rates– College Participation– Employment– Salaries– Home Ownership– Second Car Ownership
Family Assets
• Lifetime consistency
• High expectations
• Understanding of culture, language and history
• Knowledge of child’s strengths and needs
• Cheerleaders
Family EmploymentSupport
• Community and service system connections
• Knowledge of child’s strengths and needs
• Reinforcement and support of job attitudes/skills
Family EmploymentSupport
• Safety net
• Job Retention
• Creative Problem Solving
Cultural Issues
• Differing perceptions of disabilities
• Self-Advocacy vs. Family Decision-making
• Understanding of Service Systems
• Potential vs. Possibilities
Cultural Issues
• Language
• Discrimination
• Cultural Competence of Providers
Support forFamilies
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA) involvement of families on State and Local Workforce Investment Boards
• Rehab Services Act– Services to families that allow individual to
reach employment outcome– Representation on State Rehab Council
Support forFamilies
• IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – emphasis on parent involvement
President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education
Self-Advocacy
• Making own decisions
• Learning from mistakes
• Understanding interdependence
Family TensionsGrowth Opportunities
– Low Expectations
– High Expectations
– Loss of Control
– Fear of Failure
– Interdependence
What It Looks Like
• Families feel welcomed
• Clear two-way communication
• Professional development and staffing
• Families a part of service system
What It Looks Like
• Families as advisors
• Help navigate the service systemmaze
• Connect with cultural competence
Parent EducationalAdvocacy Training Center
• 6320 Augusta Drive – Suite 1200 Springfield, VA 22150
• 703-923-0010
• www.peatc.org