National Service Programs: Pathway to Employment or Post Secondary Education Sheila Fesko Institute for Community Inclusion
Jan 01, 2016
National Service Programs: Pathway to Employment or Post Secondary
Education
Sheila Fesko Institute for CommunityInclusion
www.serviceandinclusion.org
Toll-free hotline: 888-491-0326 (voice/TTY)
National Service Programs: Pathway to Employment or Post Secondary
Education
Sheila Fesko Institute for CommunityInclusion
Gentle Reminders…
Use your phone’s “mute” button or *6 to mute your phone. Please do not use your “hold” button. Press *7 to un-mute your phone.
Please ask questions, share ideas, and comments:
• Don’t be shy, please speak up
• “Raise hand” icon
• Chat window on the right
• There will be a survey at the end
The session will be recorded.
Agenda
• NextSTEP• Member Story• Value of Service Experience • Building Connections between Service and
Disability
– Identify effective practices that support national service leading to employment for individuals with disabilities
– Develop training and TA materials to promote employment opportunities through service
• Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) providers
• Disability organizations/agencies• Individuals with disabilities/family members• Employers
NextSTEP activities • Service Demonstration
– National Organization on Disability– Center for Training and Technical Assistance—Denver
Options
• Policy Demonstration – Developmental Disability Agencies –in conjunction with
the State Employment Leadership Network– Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies
• Employer Outreach – US Business Leadership Network
Alex Freeman
Building Character
• Emotional Intelligence• Emotional Health • Clarity and self-awareness• Builds self-esteem and self-confidence• Self-directed decision making
Building Career• Interpersonal skills
– Teamwork– Communication– Conflict resolution
• Hands on experience– Workplace attitudes , expectations– Sustaining work routines
• Hard Skills
Building Community
• Increases personal and professional network• Exploration and Discovery
– Define career interests– Diversity of experiences, people– Expanded sense of possibilities– Exposure to new issues, cultures, communities
How Service can Contribute to Future Goals
• Transition – Use service days/ job shadowing opportunities to
expose students to option of service program
• Work Experience – Service commitment in area of interest or with
program that offers varied experiences
• Return to Work and/or Veterans– Allows exposure to new type of work– Gradual transition into work
Supporting Members while in Service • Support transitioning into service
– Culture/environment match– Address support needs
• Encouraging reflection/journaling that includes documenting tasks completed, contacts made
• Include strategies on disclosure, resume development and community resources in member development
How to Support Alumni in Using the Service Experience to Transition to
Employment/ Post-Secondary Education
• Partner with employment related services for assistance in referrals to service and then as resources for members’ transition to life after services– Vocational Rehabilitation – Developmental Disability Agencies– One-Stop Career Centers
How Disability Entities can Connect with National Service
• Refer individuals with disabilities to service opportunities
• Support service alumni in their transition to employment
• Sponsor an AmeriCorps or VISTA volunteer at your organization
• Participate in state inclusion team –Typically hosted by the state commission
• Connect with the state disability coordinator– http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?
page=coordinatorslist
Resources• Corporation for National and Community
Service – www.nationalservice.gov
• National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) www.serviceandinclusion.org 1-888-491-0326
• Sheila Fesko, NextSTEP– 617-287-4365– [email protected]
• NextSTEP is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (Cooperative agreement #09TAHMA001) and is a project of the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston.
• The National Service to Employment Project (NextSTEP) is a collaboration of the – Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at UMass Boston; – Center for Training and Technical Assistance at Denver Options;– the Start on Success program at the National Organization on
Disabilities; – the State Employment Leadership Network of the National Association– US Business Leadership Network.