Integrated Community Employment

A guide to the key components of Community Supports for someone who is transitioning out of school into post graduate life.

Missouri Specific Resource Links:

Important Self-Care Skills:

Classic Household Chores:

  • laundry (color separation, amount of detergent, what to hang vs. dry),
  • cooking (sequencing, safety, healthy meals, and knowing expirations of food),
  • transportation (driving, bus transportation, scheduling an assisted van company)
  • cleaning (washing dishes, putting dishes away, cleaning bathroom, making the bed, dusting, vacuuming, etc.)

Self-Care:

  •  safely shaving
  • showering (importance of doing it daily, putting on deodorant following shower)
  • importance of brushing your teeth morning and night
  • dressing appropriately for the weather (what is the weather and what is appropriate to wear, etc.)
  • sexual health and wellness

Considering a job?

  • related skills like building a resume,
  • how to complete an interview appropriately
  • how will you utilize transportation to get to the job

Additional Resources

Preparing a child with a disability for employment and what families can do in the home:

  • PACER – Employment Resource Guide/Workbook https://mn.gov/deed/assets/employment-resource-workbook_tcm1045-315677.pdf
    • Tips for employment (PACER)
      1. Have high expectations! Share with son or daughter or teachers. Just because they have a disability does not mean they cannot be employed
      2. Make work experience a priority – practice what it means to work. This leads to employment success in future

Recommendations for finding a job that is a good fit for you:

  • Consider which aspect of the job experience the student would be interested in, the strengths of the student and available opportunities. The following work-based learning experiences may be a good fit:

Work-based Learning Experiences may include:

  1. Job Shadowing
  2. Career Mentorship
  3. Career Related Competitions
  4. Informational Interviews
  5. Paid Internships
  6. Non-paid Internships
  7. Practicum
  8. Service Learning
  9. Student-led Enterprise
  10. Simulated Workplace Experience
  11. Volunteering
  12. Workplace Tours/Field Trips.

http://www.wintac.org/topic-areas/pre-employment-transition-services/overview/work-based-learning-experiences

A young man wears scrubs at the Columbia Orthopedic Group.

Questions to ask:

What are your employment expectations or plans?

  • This is an important question to ask to determine your goals and direction for the future!
  • An example of this could include having the expectations of working for a company integrated into the community

What skills does the family have that they can help the individual?

  • It is important to get a full understanding of the family’s skills and resources that can help the individual in need.
  • Some examples of helpful skills could include network connections, a positive attitude for your child, or supporting the decisions of your child.

What interest does the individual have that could lead to a job?

  • It is important that the individual is doing something that they enjoy and that fulfills their wants and needs.
  • An example of this is supporting your child to the fullest by helping them find something that they would enjoy.