2013 MNTAT Web Training Series 

Discovering Personal Genius

Discovering Personal Genius (DPG) is a cost-effective approach to vocational assessment rooted in person-centered planning. Fundamental to Discovery is the development of a current profile essential to securing meaningful work that leads to better work and the acquisition of advanced skills. DPG uses a number of strategies in acquiring the data needed to formulate a proper profile and employment plan, including the use of functional vocational activities, “Smooth Listening,” developing and testing “Vocational Themes,” “Going where the career makes sense,” “Naïve Informational Interviews,” and creating the “Lists of Twenty.” This session introduces the basics of Discovery and explains the use of the unique tactics listed here. Registration Information will be posted soon.

Instructor(s): Patty Cassidy, Senior Consultant, Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC

It's Not Just Employment, Its Being on a Pathway to Finanical Stability 

• What should/could be learned about the job seekers values around money
• How we frame our services
• Making financial goals part of the plan
• What work incentives should be used strategically as asset building tools
• Partnering with asset building providers
• Thinking about negotiating wages and hours up not down

Improving Evidence-Based Supported Employment Fidelity Through the Use of Customized Employment Tools and Strategies.

In 2011 the U.S Department of Health and Human Services issued a report called: FEDERAL FINANCING OF SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT AND CUSTOMIZED EMPLOYMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESSES. The paper focused on how these two approaches can be used by states to further improve employment outcomes for those with significant barriers to employment. However, Evidence-Based SE and Customized Employment still largely remain divided along disability labels; that is, EBP SE for those with mental illness and CE for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This segregation of approaches fails to realize the similarities between the two, and produces unnecessary divisions that weaken the opportunities to arrive at an integrated, best-practices approach. Participants in this session will learn how the two approaches are similar; and in addition, the two CE tools (The 30 Placement Plan, and The Discovery and Vocational Profile) will be highlighted as they connect to the Principles of Rapid Job Placement and Consumer Preferences in the EBP SE approach. Participants will also learn how these two CE tools can improve fidelity in the EBP SE approach. Finally, a review of the recommendations contained in the federal report will be reviewed so participants can take action in their respective states.

Instructor(s): Doug Crandell, Special Projects Consultant, Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC

Using Customized Employment for School-to-Work Employment

With all of our best efforts only 28% of individuals with disabilities are receiving community employment services after graduation and only 19% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Domin and Butterworth 2012). In our continuing efforts to improve transition outcomes we are working with high a growing number of high school students on customized employment strategies long before graduation. We are subcontracting with a growing number of high schools to complete the Discovery process and help students attain gainful employment before graduation. Through this process we are creating better outcomes and continue to diversify our funding. Currently a number of organizations we support are receiving up to 25% of their employment revenues directly from subcontracting with high schools.

Instructor(s): Corey Smith, Director of Employment Services for Via of the Lehigh Valley in Bethlehem Pennsylvania.

THE CONTRADICTIONS OF LEADERSHIP: TEN CONSIDERATIONS FOR LEADERS AT ALL LEVELS

The traditional study of management and leadership leads one to believe that the role of top administrators is to set a course and stick to it. The challenge for leaders is contradictory: manage for stability while simultaneously creating new opportunities and innovations. This mutually exclusive goal itself is at the heart of the best organizations; ones that invent new products and services, create multi-layered networks, and that cast off the ballast of past management practices while carefully retaining the best attributes. And, of course, since this is a largely non-linear undertaking, there can be no cookbook; no one right way; no formula for success. Instead, great leaders envision the future and adapt along the path. This webinar will present Ten Contradictions as a starting point in re-thinking our role as leaders; leaders at all levels of an organization, and in various circumstances including: at work, in our families, in our communities, and in the world at large. Please join us for this provocative look into leadership presented by Cary Griffin, Senior Partner, Griffin-Hammis Associates, LLC.

Instructor(s): Cary Griffin