Reprinted from the Winter 2014 newsletter

By this time, you many have heard the team “Employment First” and wonder what it means for you.

The State of Oregon adopted the Employment First policy in 2008 and providers throughout the state have been on a mission to build capacity to support community employment. Mid-Valley Rehabilitation (now MV Advancements) has adopted the Employment First philosophy and presumption that individuals experiencing I/DD can work in jobs fully integrated in the community. According to Employment First, “Integrated employment includes typical workplace settings where there are regular opportunities for meaningful interaction with co-workers without disabilities and/or customers or the general public.” Employment First also values self-employment as an employment option. The policy focuses on community-integrated jobs as the first and priority option for employment services by using person-centered practices (often known as Discovery) that help to identify your unique skills, talents, and interests.

Mid-Valley (MV Advancements) is building capacity to support individuals seeking community employment. We were selected for a Transformation grant project by DHS, which provides training and technical assistance to transition away from sheltered employment and focus on community employment. We are also hiring more Employment Specialists and offering important training designed to help find customized employment opportunities for individuals interested in community employment. Our Employment Specialists can help you get, learn, and keep a job that suits your interests. Customized employment means matching your skills and interests to an employer’s business needs. Each business has different business needs, and often the best way to gain the skills is to learn on the job in the actual workplace. In fact, this is how most people learn to do their job – by learning on the job. Once you get the job, an Employment Specialist can assist you to learn the job, gain independence, and become a valuable employee.

Every person is different, and your Employment Specialist will work with you and the employer to provide a working environment that meets your support needs; this is especially important for individuals and families who need to feel safe in the work environment, those who need additional support with skills training, using assistive technology to get the job done, or assessing transportation needs to get to and from work. The prospect of getting a job with a community employer should be exciting, but it is understandable if you or your family have questions or concerns; this is why it is important to talk to an Employment Specialist who can answer your questions.

If you are unsure about the type of work you would like to do or if you have limited work experience, our Employment Specialists are trained to provide “Discovery,” a process for learning about your skills, interests, talents, and support needs to help you learn what type of customized jobs best suit you. Remember, you are unique, and a good customized job individualizes the employment relationship in ways that meet the needs of both.

It is also important to get informed about how work affects your Social Security and Medicaid benefits. Your Case Manager or Personal Agent can help you and your family get Benefits Planning Assistance as well as discuss incentive opportunities available to ensure you don’t lose your benefits (be sure to ask about IREW, PASS, and SSI Section 1619 (a) & (b)).

What is your next step? That is up to you! If you are interested in checking out what customized community employment could mean for you, talk to you Case Manager, Personal Agent, or an Employment Specialist. It is your time to shine!