IV. Success Stories

Angela Kelleher

Doc's Drugs Corporate Office is the headquarters for 16 pharmacies throughout central and northern Illinois. About a year ago, Doc's Drugs was contacted by a job developer called Cornerstone Services, Inc. Cornerstone Services explained to Doc's Drugs that a recent high school student, by the name of Angela Kelleher, lived nearby and was looking for work. Angela had been in a high school work program and was interested in continuing development of the various office skills she had performed. Fortunately, Doc's Drugs was in need for an office assistant, so they proceeded to "carve out" an individualized job description for Angela.

Doc's Drugs understood that Angela, being a person with autism and mental disabilities, would need some special accommodations. Some of these accommodations were:

Due to all of these initial accommodations, supports and team work, Angela's transition, from a school environment to a work environment, is a thriving success. Her job coach has been able to fade support to just a few hours a week and Angela's co-workers and supervisors are very willing to continue assisting and supporting her to increase familiarity, learning speed and success with new tasks.

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Ricky Greenfeld

Family and friends are important factors of life for most people. For Ricky Greenfeld, this is no different. His friends and family have lovingly invested time and energy to ensure Ricky's employment success. Ricky is a unique individual who "...uses visuals and symbols to convey his thoughts and needs all the time." He is a creative thinker and possesses many interests. Ricky works at the Center for Development and Disability in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the CDD, he works with the Southwest Autism Network doing clerical work in a supported environment. He is entrusted with a key so that he can travel between each locked floor to deliver completed assignments. The types of support that Ricky receives includes a daily visual learning schedule where "...Ricky checks off each task, compares the task schedule to the current time and sequences work until he has completed his assignments." Ricky also receives various supports from ARCA. They escort Ricky to and from work and assist him with time management and organization. Ricky's family is very knowledgeable about the types of services ARCA provides and are able to closely monitor the supports and services that Ricky receives. The ARCA supported staff has, over time, been able to cut back to help Ricky transition to independent employment. Working together, the friends, family and co-workers that care for and lookout for Ricky remain as the key job supports to Ricky's continued success.

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Jon Peterson

Jon Peterson is a well-known and well-liked self-advocate consultant at the Center for Development and Disability (CDD). He is active in co-facilitating many of the CDD's trainings, conferences, presentations and programs.

Recently, Jon expressed to his CDD co-workers that he was interested in obtaining an Achieve Global Co-Facilitator certificate. Everyone supported Jon in this new goal and went to work right away to help Jon succeed. Jon's CDD co-workers, job coach, mother, DVR counselor and certification trainer all worked together to support Jon. Besides this collaboration, Jon's hard work and determination was the pinnacle factor of success. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation was the funding source for the certification and job coach cost. Jon's job coach provided supports with homework and in-class assignments. The job coach also supported Jon by making him "cue" cards and practicing with him outside of class. Jon's teacher allowed him to take breaks, as needed. Both, teacher and classmates accepted Jon as just another class participant/student and did not focus on him as a person with a disability. Jon's mother was also with him every step of the way encouraging, providing transportation and brainstorming with Jon about accommodations that he might need. Jon's CDD friends and co-workers helped find the job coach, provided advice and guidance and debriefed with Jon about the trainings they had done together. Everyone pulled together to support Jon to receive his co-facilitator certification. To this day, he remains a highly regarded and active member of the CDD's instructor resource pool and the disability/self-advocate community. His next goal is a marketing strategy for his newly accomplished skills and training. Go get'em Jon!

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Eugene Otte

For the past 21 years, Eugene Otte has participated in the AID/ERC Work Service program of Elgin, Illinois. In 1996, he was referred to the Job Placement and Career Planning services. Shortly after that, he began working at a Steak 'N Shake. He performed his tasks efficiently and effectively. He remained a reliable and well-liked employee throughout his 3 years at the Steak 'N Shake. With support from ERC Placement, Eugene found another job at the Sherman West Court. He now works up to 20 hours a week in the Nutrition and Dietary Department. And, as usual, he performs his various tasks with extreme reliability and care. He is able to walk to work, has familiarity and receives one-on-one support from his supervisors.

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Stephen Felts

Walking into a local family restaurant, Pizza Hut, anyone would notice a smiling, giggling, gentleman sitting at a nearby table. He sits there very proud in his uniform that was furnished to him and he might even show you his name tag. You might notice him rolling your silverware that you would use for your dinner. A companion is available to prompt Stephen but Stephen's high motivation to perform his job duties makes the prompts unneeded. As you might sit and enjoy your meal, Stephen's presence will linger your curiosity. As you might watch him a bit longer you will see the friendship he has with co-workers and the community members that encounter him. Stephen Felts is a 43-year-old gentleman with severe COPD, mental retardation, seizure disorder, and myopic astigmatism (all which requires him to wear glasses, and continual oxygen). Stephen's history of past medications and the need to have a hip oxygen pack at all times has caused Stephen to have a very unsteady gait. Pizza Hut accommodated him with the table to sit at for better stability, along with the space for a 1 on 1 support. The employer also configured his schedule for more days a week and fewer hours at a time, which enables Stephen to perform his job better without weakness. Stephen does not let anything slow him down though. He goes to work 3 days a week for approximately 2 hours each day. Stephen has been employed with Pizza Hut since May of 1999. The bond Stephen has with his co-workers, and employer is remarkable and shows through each and every day.

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Tim Bartlett

Through person-centered planning, Tim Bartlett chose to generate income by owning his own business that would accommodate these interests and skills:

Based on these requirements, Tim's circle developed the idea of a conference vending business. Tim goes to conferences and exhibits and sells products that promote the concepts of person-centered planning, self-determination and other ways to be included fully in community life. He greets and talks with customers and browsers, stays at a hotel and swims. The business owns a truck for carrying his products and display materials.

Tim has a board of directors - volunteers including individuals from the agency that supports him, friends, family and a local small business owner. They help Tim make decisions about what “gigs” to take, what products to carry, etc. Tim hires a Business Support Staff who helps him order and track materials and supplies, set up “gigs”, drives the truck and handles the money. Tim engages the services of a fiscal intermediary to do the accounting for his business.

Tim was able to direct funds from the Medicaid waiver to start and maintain his business through a self-determination program. Funds that might typically be used for traditional vocational or day services are used to support his business.

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Lupita Cano

This Success Story is located on another website. To read about Lupita's Story click here.

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Tod Wilmon

Tod Wilmon is a writer and a person with Freidrich's Ataxia. Even though, his physical disabilities are quite significant, he pursues his interest in writing. RCI, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, provides Mr. Wilmon with job supports and employment placement. When RCI first approached Continuum of Care, looking for possible job opportunities, they already had expectations about the sort of tasks Mr. Wilmon could perform. But those expectations did not fit with the needs of Continuum of Care. Due to both parties being open, flexible, and willing to work together they came up with a solution that matched everyone's needs.

Now, after one year, Tod's interest in writing has led to numerous articles posted on the Continuum of Care website. Mr. Wilmon has a sophisticated communication device and the font size on his computer is maximized to insure the visibility of his writing. His interesting and informative articles have also led to an exciting video project that will enhance his website postings. He has personal attendants that help him through out the day and RCI provides his transportation to and from work.

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Nati Fabela

Nati Fabela is an Administration Office Assistant at the Center for Development and Disability in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Nati is a multi-talented worker who is bilingual. She enjoys speaking Spanish as well as English. She is in charge of shredding confidential documents for the Center. Besides shredding, Nati handles re-labeling of folders with confidential information. To request Nati's specialized assistance with these important tasks, Center staff complete a work order for Nati. Also, Nati attends Center Support Staff monthly meetings. In the past, she has been involved with the Center's Fun Club and assisted at conferences and meetings sponsored by the Center. Nati is a positive asset to the Center and is much appreciated by her co-workers.

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Bryant Paris Hicks

Bryant has always been eager to be productive in the workforce and a contributing member of society. As a result of his desire to work, Bryant was referred to the University of Memphis Vocational Evaluation Lab to determine realistic occupational choices. After extensive testing, the hope of meaningful employment seemed unobtainable. In February 2001, for approximately five months, Bryant enrolled in and completed a Career Development and Job Placement program at Mid-South Arc. He was awarded a Certificate of Completion in June 2001 at a formal graduation ceremony.

After several hands-on experiences to determine appropriate job placement, Bryant was hired as a greeter at the Raymond Skinner Center in July 2001. He began his employment in September 2001. His duties were to answer phones and to make sure that guests entering the center would sign in and out.

Since the age of 13, Bryant has done volunteer work at the Raymond Skinner Center for the handicapped. However, his volunteer work was not a "shoe-in" for employment. Since his position is a City of Memphis job, Bryant had to complete the application process and wait approximately two months before starting his new job.

Bryant was determined to be employed and become a productive tax-paying citizen. He would always express to his mother "There must be something that I can do." He was right.

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Christine Schwartzenberg

Christine Schwartzenberg participated in the Advocates Alliance project. With the support of this project, her community of Socorro, New Mexico, family and friends, she celebrated the achievement of several of her dreams. Her parents obtained a computer for her. People First of Socorro, a community self-advocacy organization, financially assisted the family to do this. As a result, Christine has completed a poem for the People First of Socorro newsletter. In addition to obtaining a computer, Christine chose her new puppy as she transitions to adult life.

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Adam Monia

For over 2 years, Santa Maria El Mirador (a supported employment service provider) and Big Rock Casino have encouraged and supported Adam Monia to succeed in his employment goals. Adam is a young man with traumatic brain injury and struggles with significant mental and emotional challenges. Santa Maria explained Adam's condition and was excited about Big Rock's interest in exploring supported employment possibilities for him. First stage of support was to develop a task list to assist Adam with his short-term memory loss. The task list highlighted Adam's duties, responsibilities and a time frame. He carries this with him at all times and it allows Adam to be fairly self-sufficient. Initially, Adam had job coaches that would help him through out the day but in the past two tears they have been able to fade more and more and simply provide periodic reminders for task completion. Adam's behavior therapist and Santa Maria were able to negotiate some extra break time to give him space for scheduled emotional processing with his team of supporters. A crisis system was also established for immediate assistance with any serious anger episodes that might evolve. Adam is also provided with daily transportation to and from work and an "anytime" job coach, accessed via cell phone that Adam carries at all times. Another initial key to Adam's success was the on-site support he received from Santa Maria during his week long orientation. Adam's supervisors and co-workers all received training on best practice strategies to use for Adam's success. They also received a detailed training about "...brain injuries and how they can affect cognitive processing and emotional control. This training built empathy and understanding for Adam's challenges in his workplace and created reasonable accommodation for Adam's disability."

Adam is viewed as an asset to Big Rock Casino. His manager has been very impressed with his job commitment and bilingual abilities and is interested in using Adam as a support for new employees with English as a second language. Adam received a one-year anniversary appreciation bonus check and his financial stability has secured him his own apartment and independence. The commitment and efforts of Adam and all of his supported systems has led him straight down the road to independent living, meaningful community interaction and contribution and successful stable employment.

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Lissie Clark

When Lissie Clark graduated from high school, she knew three things:

• She did not want to work in the fast food industry,
• She liked animals, and
• She wanted to promote awareness of fetal/alcohol syndrome (FAS).

She had skillful and caring support from her adopted mother and a friend who were ready to back her in whatever she chose to do.

Lissie started a dog walking business and was doing well. She was regularly walking a few of the neighbors' dogs, but she thought that she could do better. She had an idea to give her patrons treats - a good tasting dog biscuit that she made herself. She talked to her mother and friend about it and together they developed a recipe and tested it on the dogs. The recipe was made from only the best ingredients and the products themselves were to look special and taste good to the dogs. When they finally settled on the recipe, they began manufacturing the dog biscuits using the mixing bowls, cookie sheets, and oven space in their kitchen. Lissie dreamed about someday expanding her business and selling her dog biscuits, called Lissie's Love Yums, to people who loved their pets.

Expansion required funds. With the help of her mother and friend, Lissie accessed fund through the Montana Job Training Partnership Careers through Partnerships demonstration project and the Rural Institute helped her with a Social Security Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS). They requested money for more equipment, raw materials, packaging materials, and a public service announcement to promote FAS awareness and Lissie's Love Yums. They continued to manufacture the product in their home and kept control of the product. Each biscuit was made to their exacting specifications, with Lissie hand painting the packaging. They sold the Luv Yums weekends at a local flea market and baked the biscuits through the week. They contacted a local television station and produced the public service announcement.

Lissie's success in business created a new opportunity for her. She was an articulate speaker and in the spring of 2000 was invited to present at the first national conference on self-employment in Missoula, Montana, sponsored by the Rural Institute at the University of Montana, the Montana Job Training Partnership, and Virginia Commonwealth University. She presented to a group of about 40 people on how she developed her business and produced and produced and marketed the products. By then she had expanded the product line, offering a smaller version of the original dog biscuits vacuum sealed in a nine bone "Poochey Pack", and a do-it-yourself dry mix with an accompanying dog biscuit cutter. Lissie's Luv Yums were selling well in the local area, with a few orders coming from outside of the state.

Then lightning struck. Another person who was starting a business through the Careers project began marketing Lissie's products to people he knew in other states, and the orders poured in. Lissie's Luv Yums bought another oven and Lissie and her mother began getting up a lot earlier in the morning to mix the dough and start baking. Then articles about Lissie and her business appeared in two national church publications, and the orders overwhelmed them. They had to hire employees, settling on two freelance bakers who baked the biscuits in their own homes using the premixed ingredients.

In November 2001, Lissie and her mother presented a national conference in Reno, Nevada. It was impressive to see how far they had come, both as business owners and as presenters. Most of the presentations focused on how they built the business, but Lissie was able to include information about fetal/alcohol syndrome. Although being a dog biscuit manufacturer never occurred to Lissie when she finished school, her business has given her the opportunity to do what she knew she wanted to do.

How to contact this small business owner:

	Melissa Clark
	Lissie's Luv Yums
	2917 8th Ave. North
	Great Falls, MT 59401
	(406) 453-2531

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Peter Piper Pizza

Peter Piper Pizza of Las Cruces, New Mexico has an open door to hiring people with disabilities. They offer support to those who need it and have a variety of positions that foster growth and learning to develop the employment experience. Through demonstrations, mentoring and trainings, managers and staff explain the skills needed to complete the tasks correctly and effectively. Some Peter Piper Pizza restaurants offer student job training that allows teachers and students to visit, tour restaurant operations and explore employment opportunities. Peter Piper also encourages leadership roles that pave the road for students, including students with disabilities, to develop responsibility and managing skills.

One student, by the name of Billy, went through the job training at Peter Piper with his class. Later, he put in an application and was interviewed and hired. Billy received on-the-job training and began his employment doing repetitive tasks to gain familiarity and confidence. Then, he was trained to perform other tasks throughout the restaurant. He received assistance and encouragement from his peers, when needed, and his skills consistently improved. Billy mentored with a co-worker to learn the operations of the game room. Daily feedback and praise were used to develop employee team building along with 6-month evaluations to provide private opportunities for questions and comments. All of these efforts are supporting factors to Billy's success and the success of other employee's at Peter Piper Pizza.

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