Career Planning and Consultation (CPC) Program Description

Transcription

1 Career Planning and Consultation (CPC) Program Description Revised: February 2008

2 Introduction Peckham s Career Planning and Consultation (CPC) program is designed to offer a variety of career assessment, planning and exploration services to individuals facing barriers to employment. Persons referred may present employment challenges including, but not limited to, physical, cognitive, emotional and economic concerns. Anticipated program outcomes depend on referral questions and may include the following: Defining a realistic vocational goal Identifying needed strategies and accommodations to enhance employability During the CPC process, individuals will learn about their vocational strengths and abilities and how to enter or rejoin the work force. The CPC process may include any of the following: Psychometric testing Specific skill testing Career research and interest exploration Employer contacts (informational interviews and job shadows) Situational assessments Job tryouts Program Entrance Criteria Have a documented disability or other identified vocational barrier(s) Meet funding eligibility criteria as required by program guidelines Have a general physical or psychological evaluation appropriate to the documented disability, current within one year of entry into program as required by program guidelines Be able to take care of personal needs or have an attendant who will assist with those needs Engage in behavior that is safe and not harmful to self or others Have arranged transportation Agree to abide by the general rules and regulations of Peckham, Inc. Voluntarily participate in programs Be eligible to work in the United States Pass a criminal history background check as required by program guidelines Career Planning and Consultation Program Description 2

3 Program Elements Assessment and Testing Using a variety of assessment tools, the CPC program measures: Aptitude and achievement levels Specific work skills, including clerical and computer use Dexterity levels Physical stamina and ability related to identified job task Vocational interests Job seeking skills Many specific work behaviors Comprehensive testing using the Valpar Aviator provides an overview of aptitudes and skills. More specific information can be gathered with the Valpar work sample system, the QWIZ program and a number of standardized interest, aptitude and achievement tests. Standard norms relating to competitive employment are reported. Career planners may also modify tests and work samples to address individual needs and identify job accommodations. Physical abilities and needs are measured through range of motion testing and supervised situational assessments at selected community work sites, where work behaviors, interests and other employability factors are also addressed. Employer Contacts and Job Tryouts Job sites may be developed to meet individual preferences and can include opportunities for informational interviews with employers, job shadowing and short tryouts to assess productivity, stamina and work behaviors as well as interest in a specific job. Career planning staff secure and supervise the visits with as much support as needed and provide coaching and feedback, as well as detailed written behavioral observations and other needed accommodations. Person Centered Planning Throughout the career planning process, a continuous effort is made to provide individuals with accurate information regarding skills and their relationship to vocational interests and options. Clients are encouraged to take a leadership role in guiding and defining the evaluation process by outlining goals, doing as much independent research as possible and taking an active role in completing the final report. Individuals create opportunities to speak to employers, review labor market information and prepare for job searches while identifying Career Planning and Consultation Program Description 3

4 realistic career choices matching their interests and abilities. Reasonable Accommodations Peckham will modify equipment, design jigs and fixtures and develop other techniques, as necessary, to help a participant meet and exceed the requirements of the job. Other types of accommodations may include: Modification of the work site and commonly used surrounding area Assistive devices Alteration of work schedules Task reassignment and/ or training Re-Entry Policy If a participant leaves the program, he/she can reapply for services as long as Peckham s admissions criteria for the CPC program continue to be met. Program Process Referrals Referring agencies may schedule individuals for assessment and career planning by contacting Peckham Career Planning and Consultation staff located at the Michigan Works! Service Center: Sandra Maxim (517) or Lauren Borson (517) Referral information to be submitted prior to the start date includes: A Peckham, Inc. referral form listing requested services and specific questions to be addressed A current general medical report for individuals with a medical diagnosis A psychological report for individuals with cognitive or mental health diagnoses Other pertinent background information Authorization for payment and billing information After reviewing requested services, the Career Planning and Consultation staff will schedule a beginning date with the referring counselor and consumer. At this time, staff may also discuss referral questions, request additional information or suggest other services. A new start Career Planning and Consultation Program Description 4

5 letter will be mailed to the client to verify the start date and provide directions to Capital Area Michigan Works! Individuals are encouraged to call with additional questions before starting a program. All referrals are accepted unless they do not meet Peckham s admission criteria. Orientation Orientation is provided on an individual basis, either prior to or on the first day of an individual s program. Career Planning staff provide an orientation to the Capital Area Michigan Works! building or Peckham, Inc., answer questions about the career planning process and outline a structure and timeline for completion of the program. Intake and Planning Clinical interviews and career plans are developed with individuals during their first visit to Career Planning and Consultation. Plans outline overall goals, specific objectives and activities, and address questions from each client and referring counselor. Length of the process will be discussed in detail at this first meeting, as well as specific activities that will occur during each visit. Completing Case Notes and Observations Career Planning and Consultation staff will keep an accurate record of all activity completed by each client, including documentation of attendance, test performance and quality results, and behavioral observations when requested. Scheduling Staffings Near the end of services, a final staffing will be scheduled with the client, referring counselor and any guests invited by the client. Staffings are generally minutes long and are held at Capital Area Michigan Works! Final Report Final reports will be in a style and contain information that reflects objectives outlined in the individual plan and activities completed during the planning process. Each client will take an active role in creating and reviewing the report. Emphasis will be placed upon recommendations that reflect information gathered during the process and which outline appropriate steps leading to identified goals. Career Planning and Consultation Program Description 5

6 Final Staffing During a final meeting with Career Planning staff and the referring counselor, each client has an opportunity to discuss information learned during the career planning process and steps he/she plans to take to reach a vocational goal. Efforts are made to have each consumer take an active role in the staffing, to discuss steps taken to reach the conclusions outlined in the report and to preview in detail the plans for their next steps. Program Completion Program completion is accomplished when the individual has achieved all goals of the program plan satisfactorily. A final report will be created and a final staffing will be held. The participant will be asked to complete a Consumer Survey to provide input on services provided. Referring counselors and any additional stakeholders will be asked to complete a Stakeholder Survey to provide input on services provided. This will allow Peckham to obtain feedback and suggestions for program improvement. Responsibility Program Responsibility Develop an individualized plan with each participant identifying objectives and methods for obtaining goals of program Identify appropriate work sites for evaluation Schedule appointments for participation in a timely manner, allowing for accommodations of ability to stay on task Assess work behavior and skills during evaluation Provide feedback to participant regarding grooming, hygiene, dress, working independently, getting along with co-workers and supervisors, attendance and punctuality Provide a complete evaluation report to participant and referring counselor and discuss at staffing with all concerned parties Participant Responsibility Voluntarily participate in the program Career Planning and Consultation Program Description 6

7 Be able to take care of personal needs to have an attendant who will assist with those needs Engage in behaviors that are safe and not harmful to self or others Have arranged transportation Agree to abide by the general rules and regulations of Peckham, Inc. Pass a criminal background check as required by program guidelines Contact Information Sandra J. Maxim, MA, CRC, LPC Career Planning and Consultation Coordinator Capital Area Michigan Works! Peckham, Inc S. Cedar Street Lansing, MI Phone: (517) Fax: (517) Note: Other guidelines incorporated in the program are: Standards of Operation for All Programs Peckham Handbook EDS Handbook Supplement Career Planning and Consultation Program Description 7