1. 1 Customized Employment Strategic Service Delivery Component Disability Employment Initiative

2. The names of the current states that will be implementing this approach are included below by round and the next slide highlights the core elements associated with this service delivery component For resources and to learn what each DEI project proposed in their statement of work around this component, access: http://www.dei-ideas.org/chapter2-1/page04a_ce_private.cfm http://www.dei-ideas.org/chapter2-1/page04a_ce_private.cfm

3. Customized Employment Core elements include: Discovery and the Development of a Vocational Profile utilized as planning tools to formulate a career goal Creation of an individualized career profile to be used with employers Job Negotiation/Customization of Tasks Individualizes the relationship between job seeker and employer Different customized strategies to use with employers such as task reassignment, job carving, job sharing and job creation Use of IRT and other DEI service delivery strategies to individualize employment practices around an employment goal

4. Customized Employment Process Customized Employment (CE) is an employment service model identified as a promising practice through the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). It is a flexible process based on an individualized match between the strengths, conditions, and interests of a job candidate and the identified business needs of an employer. It will often involve the application of wraparound services through formal or informal agreements between providers at either the system or customer level, sometimes both.

5. Customized Employment Process The customized employment process is a flexible blend of strategies, services, and supports designed to increase employment options for job seekers with complex needs through voluntary negotiation of the employment relationship. The job seeker is the primary source of information and drives the customized employment process. Using the Integrated Resource Team (IRT) model, along with other DEI service delivery strategies (e.g., Partnerships and Collaboration and Blending, Braiding and Leveraging of Funds and Resources) allows customized employment practices to be implemented within the American Job Center Network.

6. Customized Employment Basics Customized Employment seeks to individualize the relationship between the job seeker and the employer. The primary components that the Customized Employment process typically include are: Non traditional Assessment or what is referred to as job seeker exploration or discovery – which is the foundation for customized employment. Development of an individual profile Job Carving/Negotiation/Customization of Tasks Shared Employment Alliance

7. Job Seeker Exploration Job Seeker exploration is the foundation of the Customized Employment Process. Exploration can be accomplished in a number of ways: Engagement in a process of self exploration that is facilitated by others that involves answering questions, and reflecting on ideas and past experiences and identifying personal issues and challenges. Others may choose to participate in a group setting or job club for shared exploration. Or those with significant complexities may benefit from a facilitated discovery, which includes a process in which a professional, family member or friend spends the necessary time with the job seeker to understand the job seeker’s strengths, needs and preferences.

8. Development of an Individual Profile Through the process of exploration, as described in the prior slide, job seekers express their dreams, goals, personal preferences, life experiences and needs, all of which lead to the creation of an individualized career profile that: Details the job seeker’s strengths, needs and interests Develops a task list proposal for employers Directs the development of the Customized Employment relationship with Employers. Identifies potential employers to be contacted. Outlines the supports necessary for employment to be successful.

9. Job Carving / Negotiation / Customization of Tasks Negotiating with Employers is a critical step in Customized Employment. The steps involved in this task include but are not limited to the following: Get to know the Job Seeker (Exploration and Discovery) Get to know Employers Find Negotiation Points (The Individual Profile can help with this) Identify Employers Get your foot in the door Use the negotiation points Present the employment Proposal Negotiate for Employer Gain

10. Shared Employment Alliance Customized Employment is about creating a Shared Employment Alliance that provides an avenue to employment for any job seeker who feels that traditional job search methods do not meet their needs. Customized Employment means individualizing the relationship between job seekers and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. It is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, requirements, and interests of a person with a complex life. The process is designed to meet the workplace needs of the employer and the discrete tasks of the position. When a customized relationship is developed, a shared employment alliance results.

11. Customized Employment and American Job Centers Studies on CE and American Job Centers show: No single partner/source of funds can respond to the myriad needs of a job seeker with multiple challenges to employment. Limited partner resources necessitate collaborative service delivery. Effective leveraging of resources can be achieved through teams that can coordinate service delivery, jointly conduct person centered planning, and collaboratively consult on a case is shared across partner. Sites that employed a customized support team: a group of multiple partners, led by the job seeker, who jointly took some responsibility, resulted in success for individuals whose needs could not be met by a single agency.

12. CE Resources: Reference Videos ODEP videos: each video highlights the outcomes of applying good customized employment strategies Creating Opportunities and Solutions http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20110610-odep-ce/20110610-odep-ce-3.htm http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20110610-odep-ce/20110610-odep-ce-sp.htm (Spanish version) http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20110610-odep-ce/20110610-odep-ce-sp.htm Solutions for Youth with Disabilities http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20110610-odep-ce/20110610-odep-ce-1.htm Solutions for Employers http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/20110610-odep-ce/20110610-odep-ce-2.htm ETA video: this video demonstrates active resource coordination around a jobseeker with multiple employment needs through the IRT approach https://disability.workforce3one.org/view/4200927376315461065/info

13. CE Materials and Resources For more information on ODEP’s Customized Employment model access: http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/CustomizedEmployment.htm Customized Employment: Blending and Braiding Resources http://www.leadcenter.org/employment/customized-employment-blending-and- braiding-resources Learn about ODEP’s LEAD Center’s initiative to build the capacity of American Job Centers to advance employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities by focusing on customized employment, self employment and blending and braiding of resource

14. For More Information and Next Steps Customized Employment Practices and Next Steps: Strategies and Case Examples for implementing customized employment will be provided through: Subject Matter Experts National DEI webinars Resource and material development Support from your NDI team technical assistance liaisons