Customized Employment: Shifting from Promise to Demonstration to Ongoing Practice in Georgia Lessons Learned Lessons Learned Individual Contributions Individual Contributions Financial and Personal Benefits Financial and Personal Benefits Power of Person-Centered Approaches Power of Person-Centered Approaches

What is Customized Employment? “Customized employment means individualizing the employment relationship between employees and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. It is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, needs, and interests of the person with a disability, and is also designed to meet the specific needs of the employer. “Customized employment means individualizing the employment relationship between employees and employers in ways that meet the needs of both. It is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, needs, and interests of the person with a disability, and is also designed to meet the specific needs of the employer. It may include employment developed through job carving, self-employment or entrepreneurial initiatives, or other job development or restructuring strategies that result in job responsibilities being customized and individually negotiated to fit the needs of individuals with a disability. It may include employment developed through job carving, self-employment or entrepreneurial initiatives, or other job development or restructuring strategies that result in job responsibilities being customized and individually negotiated to fit the needs of individuals with a disability. Customized employment assumes the provision of reasonable accommodations and supports necessary for the individual to perform the functions of a job that is individually negotiated and developed.” (Federal Register, June 26, 2002, Vol. 67. No. 123 pp ) Customized employment assumes the provision of reasonable accommodations and supports necessary for the individual to perform the functions of a job that is individually negotiated and developed.” (Federal Register, June 26, 2002, Vol. 67. No. 123 pp )

What are the Key Features of These Customized Employment Stories Related to Opportunity, Quality of Life and Cost Effectiveness? Vocational Assessments that Assume Employability and Do Not Screen Out Due to Level of Disability Vocational Assessments that Assume Employability and Do Not Screen Out Due to Level of Disability Partnerships Between the State’s Employment Resources and Supports in the Form of Customized Support Teams (customer, family, advocate, employer, provider, benefits navigator, vr, wia, and misc. others) Partnerships Between the State’s Employment Resources and Supports in the Form of Customized Support Teams (customer, family, advocate, employer, provider, benefits navigator, vr, wia, and misc. others) Dollars that Follow the Individual Providing for Creativity and Flexibility in the Negotiations with Employers Dollars that Follow the Individual Providing for Creativity and Flexibility in the Negotiations with Employers

DC – Tender Loving Care Dog Grooming Service Through resource ownership, DC has been able to translate his love of animals into a viable career path that is valued by his employer and customers because he cares about the animals and provides them with extra care and concern. DC has a renewed sense of self and noticeable changes in his self esteem. Through resource ownership, DC has been able to translate his love of animals into a viable career path that is valued by his employer and customers because he cares about the animals and provides them with extra care and concern. DC has a renewed sense of self and noticeable changes in his self esteem.

Lee – Abercrombie Arcades Through self employment, Lee has now found his niche and has been able to establish a support system that assists him with the varied aspects of running a small business. After years of working in sheltered work and a variety of supported employment experiences, the activity that Lee enjoyed most in his leisure time led him to an idea for work. Through self employment, Lee has now found his niche and has been able to establish a support system that assists him with the varied aspects of running a small business. After years of working in sheltered work and a variety of supported employment experiences, the activity that Lee enjoyed most in his leisure time led him to an idea for work.

George – Teacher’s Aide / Book Author A creative job carve supported George to do the things he values most – helping others who live with developmental disabilities. His part-time job has leveraged an opportunity for self employment, as well. George was known in his community as a caring man who always offered to help others and had written a small book (now writing a second book) about his own life experiences that he is now marketing for additional income. A creative job carve supported George to do the things he values most – helping others who live with developmental disabilities. His part-time job has leveraged an opportunity for self employment, as well. George was known in his community as a caring man who always offered to help others and had written a small book (now writing a second book) about his own life experiences that he is now marketing for additional income.

Kory – Bowling Alley Worker and “Business Within A Business” Kory’s person-centered plan revealed people in his life who supported his interests and free time. When explored with an eye for CE, those relationships led to major changes in his life – a job, an oppty to get a driver’s license, car, a girlfriend and his own apartment. A few years ago, nobody would have imagined these quality of life changes. Kory’s person-centered plan revealed people in his life who supported his interests and free time. When explored with an eye for CE, those relationships led to major changes in his life – a job, an oppty to get a driver’s license, car, a girlfriend and his own apartment. A few years ago, nobody would have imagined these quality of life changes.

Ifeanyi – Administration / Training Dr. Aniche has tapped into his personal network of supports in the context of his need for system and professional assistance. Ifeanyi is blind and required adaptive equipment to perform at his best and demonstrate to employers the many contributions he can make to the workplace. Dr. Aniche has tapped into his personal network of supports in the context of his need for system and professional assistance. Ifeanyi is blind and required adaptive equipment to perform at his best and demonstrate to employers the many contributions he can make to the workplace.

Lois – Artist Lois represents the compilation of reasons why our system must revamp the way in which we provide services and supports. Lois is the named plaintiff in the Olmstead Case and has gone from the abuse and restrictiveness of an institution into somewhat low expectations of sheltered community support services to finally finding her voice (or should we say palate) to express herself. Lois represents the compilation of reasons why our system must revamp the way in which we provide services and supports. Lois is the named plaintiff in the Olmstead Case and has gone from the abuse and restrictiveness of an institution into somewhat low expectations of sheltered community support services to finally finding her voice (or should we say palate) to express herself.

Impact and Ideas Georgia recognizes that access to meaningful, competitive or self employment employment should be an option for every person in the state, no matter what their level of disability Georgia recognizes that access to meaningful, competitive or self employment employment should be an option for every person in the state, no matter what their level of disability -Establishment of a development center, non-profit entity to hold individual accounts (both cash and virtual) on behalf of customized employment customers in the state Georgia has a rich history of recognizing the injustices of isolation and poor access to community resources (e.g.: the Olmstead Decision and a strong advocacy network for persons with disabilities) Georgia has a rich history of recognizing the injustices of isolation and poor access to community resources (e.g.: the Olmstead Decision and a strong advocacy network for persons with disabilities) -Establish a steering committee and collaborative advisory organization to advise and make policy recommendations for building a better infrastructure in Georgia to support CE Georgia is a major player on the national scene of demonstrating “best practice” techniques for including persons with significant disabilities in meaningful work opportunities (e.g.: evolving network of DOL and WIA career and one stop centers; multiple federal grants demonstrating advancements in supported and customized employment) Georgia is a major player on the national scene of demonstrating “best practice” techniques for including persons with significant disabilities in meaningful work opportunities (e.g.: evolving network of DOL and WIA career and one stop centers; multiple federal grants demonstrating advancements in supported and customized employment) -Establish a mechanism for individuals and employers to come together on a regular basis to foster individual and employer run innovative projects related to CE and Micro-enterprises

Removing Barriers and False Assumptions Creates Opportunities and Changes Lives