Connect to Community, in partnership with its area school districts, was honored to host a Customized Employment training series in October and November.
The 7-day, 40-hour training was attended by 20 staff members representing the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization (NSSEO), High School Districts 211 and 214, the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), and Connect to Community. The training was facilitated by Russell Sickles of Griffin-Hammis Associates, a full-service consultancy and international leader in the evolution of Customized Employment.
Covering a wide range of topics including Discovering Personal Genius, Vocational Themes, Business Exploration, Living Resumes, Community Action Teams, Social Security Work Incentives and Self-Employment, the training series offered a comprehensive view of Customized Employment and how it can be used to improve outcomes for young adults with disabilities. The goal is an individualized approach to employment planning and development — one person at a time, one employer at a time.
Thank you to NSSEO, D/211 and D/214 for their participation in this training series. Their commitment to learning about and implementing Customized Employment in their schools is fantastic! Thanks also to TotalLink2 Community, who not only covered one-half of series expenses through their grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, but whose staff also attended the training to share their knowledge and experiences. Both Griffin-Hammis and TotalLink2 Community will be providing on-going support through April as we all work to establish the Customized Employment process as a viable option for those who require a more individualized approach to finding a job.
We are excited about what the future holds!
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