Developing a Career Strand for Students with Developmental Disabilities

1. Learning for a Lifetime Developing a Career Strand for Students with Developmental Disabilities Elmhurst Life Skills Academy at Elmhurst College

2. Learning for a Lifetime www.elmhurst.edu/elsa Kristin Boxall ELSA Career Development Coach boxallk@elmhurst.edu Rob Graber, Educational and Job Coach

3. Objectives of this session • Gain knowledge of the key areas of Elmhurst Life Skills Academy (ELSA) and their importance • Identify the various components to the ELSA career strand and learn about steps taken to develop this strand • Obtain an understanding of the various types of work experiences in which students can participate • Identify how supportive employment, job coaching, and mentoring can play a role in the success of various working experiences • Learn how to implement various components of a career program for young adults with developmental disabilities

4. What is Elmhurst Life Skills Academy (ELSA)? • Four-year college-like program • For young adults with learning and/or developmental disabilities • Minimum third grade reading and math levels • Motivated and wanting to “go to college” • Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors • 35 students--ages range from 18 to 29 years old • Pre-determined curriculum • Most students commute • Certificate of Completion at graduation • Inclusive graduation ceremony • We are in our 5th year and will have our second graduating class May 2010! Learning for a Lifetime

5. The ELSA Class of 2009!

6. What are the key areas of the ELSA program? • Academics (5 strands in curriculum) • Social and recreational experience • Career exploration and work experience

7. ELSA Key Area Number 1 Academics

8. 5 Academic Strands • Literacy • Social Issues • Independent Living • Math/Technology/Science • Career

9. Educational Coaching • All students have access to Educational Coaching • Designed to assist individual students with planning, organizing, and completing assignments with assistance for Educational Coaches • Coaches are Elmhurst College students • Coaching is available 2 hours per week • Group setting • One-to-one assistance if needed

10. Freshman Coursework Exploration of Self and Campus Introduction to College Life Social Issues and Diversity Reading and Writing Strategies Introduction to Computers Life Skills and Healthy Living I Career Exploration and Development Community and Citizenship Social Issues Differentiating Literacy Skills Oral Storytelling and Mathematics

11. Sophomore Coursework Life Skills and Healthy Living II Career by Design Interpersonal and Relationship Skills Narrative and Expository Writing Concepts and Strategies of Math Managing Everyday Stress and Anxiety Careers and Community Skills Societal Issues/ Self Determination Application of Literacy Skills to Workplace Introduction to Biology

12. Junior Coursework Focus on Nutrition, Health and Cooking Career Development and Planning Investigation to Social Issues Rhetoric and Advocating Geography: Passport to the World Planning for Independence Career Development: Work in the Community Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving The Art of Literacy Advanced Computer Skills/ Financial Smarts

13. Senior Coursework Focus on Future Planning Career Internship I Service Learning Exploration Business Communications I Computers in the Workplace Getting Hired: Internship II Backpack to Briefcase Service Learning Capstone Project Portfolio Development/ Computer Skills Business Communications II

14. Elmhurst College has a January Term • 9 hours a week for 4 weeks • Seniors work in Internships during January • Courses for other students include • Individual Focus I • Images to Communication • Multicultural Living in Today’s Society

15. ELSA Key Area Number 2 Social and Recreational Experiences

16. Social and Recreational Experiences • Peer Mentor Program consisting of Elmhurst College and ELSA students • Committee meeting each week • Plans social and recreational activities • Promotes decision making, planning, and leadership skills for ELSA students • Students can join clubs, attend games, etc. • Builds social network especially with typical Elmhurst College students

17. ELSA Key Area Number 3 Career exploration and work experience

18. Freshmen Career Courses

19. Examples of Freshman Assignments • Complete weekly journal entries on Blackboard • Complete a self-directed action plan • Become involved in Elmhurst College life by joining a student organization or club • Researching and reporting on career options and opportunities • Research various career clusters • Start to identify pathways

20. Sophomore Career Courses

21. Examples of Sophomore Assignments • Researching and reporting on career options and opportunities • Research Employment Ads • Informational interviews • Job Observations • Written correspondence

22. Sophomore Work Component—FallInformational Interviews • Students find someone to interview on their own • Students prepares lists of relevant questions • Benefits of Informational Interviews • Explore careers and clarify career goals • Expand professional network • Build confidence in interviewing skills • Access to up-to-date career information

23. Sophomore Work Component—SpringJob Observations • 2 job observations—one on campus, one off campus • 4 hours total, 1 hour per week for 4 weeks • What is a job observation? • Short-term • Students observes people working in the workplace • Students take notes and journal • Hands-on work in some cases • Includes an informational interview • Student receive handbook • Purpose of job observation • Exposes students to a variety of jobs and careers • Helps students learn what skills and education is needed to do certain jobs • Helps students make informed choices about pursuing a certain job or career path

24. Junior Career Courses

25. Examples of Junior Assignments • Complete job application (paper and on-line) • Conduct informational interview • Research company of where they will be working • Mock interview • Presentation of job placement • Resume writing and building • Thank you correspondence

26. Junior Work Component—Field Experiences • 2 Field Experiences (Fall and Spring) • 32 hours total—4 hours per week for 8 weeks • Placements are based on students’ career/job interests • Job application and mock interview • Training and/or orientation • Job shadowing • Task analysis/supports/job coaching • Students work independently

27. Senior Career Courses

28. Examples of Senior Assignments • Complete job application • Conduct informational interview • Research company • Mock interview • Attend Internship Workshops • Resume writing and building • Thank you correspondence • Presentation of job internship • Create a network

29. Senior Work Component--Internship • Internships take place in January • Minimum of 9 hours per week for 4 weeks • Internship sites are pre-determined • Areas of career or job interest • Students attend 2 Internship Workshops • Time cards and journals • Job coaching and supports • Presentation to fellow students

30. Internships--January 7 students interning this January • Music Clerk at a music store • Filing Clerk in Human Resources Department • Activities intern at nursing home • Assistant animal care intern at zoo • Activities intern at learning center • Clerical intern at hospice agency • Classroom helper in a kindergarten program

31. Role of Mentors and Job Coaches at Internship Sites • Review of Functional Assessment • Goals and target areas • Train student on-site • Provide support as needed • Task analysis • Break down tasks • Provides lists or visuals if necessary • Work with host toward independence

32. Finding Placements in the Community • Local and family owned businesses • Not-for-profits with volunteer programs • Present information at Service Organization meetings • Letter with follow-up • Just walk in • Sell program and students

33. Questions? Thank you for your interest in Elmhurst Life Skills Academy and attending this session.