Best Practice Guide

November 30, 2002

Eugene Otte, After 3 years, Eugene was laid-off from his dishwasher job due to downsizing. With the help of his community provider, another part-time dishwasher position was found for Eugene. He works up to 20 hours a week at $7.00 per hour. Eugene is extremely reliable at work and is liked by everyone.

Reynaldo Carrasco, Reynaldo got his job at the "Roswell Do-It Center" with the help of the Roswell Workforce Development Center (One-Stop Career Center). He receives positive support from his co-workers.

Barriers to Career Matching

Tod Wilmon, Tod has an interest in writing and Continuum of Care had a need for written articles for their website. Continuum paid Tod to write an article related to his disability, Freidrich's Ataxia. Once he is finished with it, he has agreed to write articles on other disabilities.

4. Career Matching

4.1 Personal Connections

Personal Connections- Personal connections are the foundation to whole-life planning. They are key to career matching and personalized career development (Hagner,1996) found that "Most of us locate jobs through social connections. When a job lead comes from a neighbor or fellow church congregation member, discussions with employers can be more personal and lead more easily to 'job creation' and a good job match." In New Hampshire, half of job placements surveyed were gained through personal connections. These contacts included: Employers, agency staff members, the person who was looking for a job, that person's family, as well as " 'inside' knowledge about a company" (Hagner,1996). One technique for finding personal connections is for the person, friends and family to draw a "relationship map" (Mount, 1989). This is a map with the person in the center of a series of every larger circles. The names or pictures of the people closest to the person's heart go in the inner circle. The names of pictures of people that are just acquaintances go in the outermost circle. In the example given in 3.2 Community Resources, the woman who "hung out" at the library, also had made friends there who were willing to help her get a job. Relationships do not have to be limited to people. For example, you may discover that a person's closest relationship is with a dog. This could open employment paths that relate to working with animals - if that matches the person's capabilities, interests, and choices.

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4.2 Supported Employment Community Providers

Supported Employment Community Providers - The New Mexico Department of Health, Long Term Services Division (LTSD) funds 56 Supported Employment Providers through the Adult Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Waiver. In its 2000 Annual report, LTSD says that its philosophy is that "...everyone who wants a job should have one." (For more information, visit the web: www.health.state.nm.us/ltsd/adds.html) Supported employment providers offer a range of employment services. For example, they can help do ISPs, Vocational Profiles, career matching, and job coaching.

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4.3 One-Stop Career Centers

One-Stop Career Centers - There are 24 One-Stop Career Centers in New Mexico. The Workforce Investment Act created them. One-Stop Career Centers help people find jobs. Their services are free. They offer three types of services: core, intensive, and training. Core services include supports like job searching, job placement, information on transportation and childcare, and workshops. Examples of intensive services include developing employment plans, career planning and guidance, help doing job searches, group counseling and basic skills. One-Stops also offer training such as in the classroom or on the job. One-Stop Career Center customers can use faxes, telephones, copiers, computers, assistive technology, and TDD/TTY free of charge. They can get help writing resumes and learn how to do interviews. They can even be evaluated to help them find the right job. (For more information, visit the web: cdd.unm.edu/csa/nmone.htm)

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4.4 Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation - The purpose of the New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is to "...help people with disabilities to achieve a suitable employment outcome." (For more information, visit the web: www.dvrgetsjobs.com/). DVR can help eligible customers with planning, evaluation, training and job searching.

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4.5 Resumes and Portfolios

Resumes and Portfolios - A good resume and/or portfolio can open doors to the career path of the person's choice. For example, the person's life experiences related to a job interest can help win the job. The person can develop a portfolio documenting his/her experiences with letters and photos to present to the prospective employer.

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4.6 Job Sampling

Job Sampling - if a person wants to learn more about a job before choosing that career, job sampling is one way to do that. The job may be a brief volunteer or paid position. The person with a disability must be fully informed that this is a time-limited job sample rather than a continuing job. South Main Peter Piper Pizza in Las Cruces is one example of a New Mexico employer that supports job sampling by transitioning students. The employer introduces students to job tasks, provides on-the-job training, and encourages students to complete tasks correctly. Job sampling is most meaningful when it is individualized to match a student's vision, interests, and capabilities.

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4.7 Characteristics Of Businesses and Professionals Who Make Successful Placements

Characteristics Of Businesses and Professionals Who Make Successful Placements - Rehabilitation staff say that employers who are flexible, open, and willing "to take risks" make placements successful. Employers report that rehabilitation staff that provide "follow-up", are responsive, and knowledgeable make successful placements (Fabian, 1995). One conclusion is that Employment Specialists need to focus on "customer satisfaction" with supports offered that include both the employer and the employee.

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4.8 Matching A Person's Interests With Employer Needs

Matching A Person's Interests With Employer Needs - "It is important to recruit [employees] for their capabilities and interests that match [employer] identified needs" (Stevens, 2001). Employers who want to recruit diverse employees need to identify the capabilities they need from those employees. The Employment Specialist can assist the employer to identify roles diverse employees can play to meet employer needs. Then, a match can be made using the results of whole-life planning.

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4.9 Factors That Affect Job Placement

Factors That Affect Job Placement - Both "negative attitudes and prejudice" are "the most significant barriers to job placement" (Fabian,1995). A self-advocate Steering Committee member comments, "I had one job that the employer had such low expectations that I was never given any training or anything meaningful to do. I was a token." Many rehabilitation staff also cited the poor "jobs, poor economy" as barriers as well. However, employers cite barriers that could be corrected such as "lack of training and information about people with disabilities" (Fabian, 1995). (See 8.2: Employment Specialist as a Consultant to the Employer). In that role, the Specialist can effectively provide or arrange the training and information needed by employers about people with disabilities. (See 7.7 Nuts and Bolts, under 7. Employers) for employment logistics such as transportation that may affect job placement as well.

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