Select a category below to view frequently asked questions. Click a question to view its answer.
Family
Concerns
Staff Concerns
Individual Concerns
1.
Why should my son/daughter work?
A job will give the child the sense of self-respect for his or her contribution
to the team work. A real job will provide pay for work that is necessary and
appreciated.
2.
Will my son/daughter be safe on the job?
Jobs are individually arranged to match a person's skills and aptitudes.
3.
What if my son/daughter is left alone in the community?
Jobs are individually arranged to match a person's skills, aptitudes, and preferences.
Necessary accommodations or other job modifications are made to ensure nonintrusiveness
and generalization to other life domains of the individual.
4.
My son/daughter is in a secure funding system now. If he/she goes to work, who
will serve as his/her care taker?
Efforts are made to provide holistic and integrated life support to the individual.
Consistent service and opportunities for community activities which connect
to work, home, social, and recreational needs are provided.
5.
What if my son/daughter is lonely on the job? What if he/she misses his/her
friends? Can my son/daughter still be involved in social activities with his/her
friends?
Natural supports including social connections in the community and job environment
should be established during career planning and circle of supports planning.
Concerns about social supports should be considered in job development as well.
1. A person doesn't speak or write; how do I find out what kind of work he/she wants to do?
2.
How will I know what job to look for?
Approach the individual, his/her family, friends, and co-workers to find out
about the job seeker's personal interests, preferences, skills, aptitudes, and
life goals. These considerations are the basis for choices in employment opportunity.
3.
How will I be paid for searching for a job?
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Division of Mental Retardation
Services.
4.
How will I know when a job is a good job match?
The individual should make a decision on whether to accept a job based on reliable
information on job quality, work culture, and employee/employer benefit. Additionally,
the job should match the person's interests, preferences, skills, and aptitudes.
The more the job seeker's expectations are met, the greater the chance of a
good job match.
5.
What if the family disagrees with the job, or placement, or care giver support?
Family support is crucial to the vocational success of an individual. Encourage
input and address concerns in career planning and ongoing support.
6.
How will I know how to train the person on the job?
After the best job that fits the interests and skills of the job seeker and
the needs of an employer is found, determine support necessary for the worker
to succeed. Consider existing supports natural to the work environment. Ensure
that appropriate evaluations and outcome measures are provided. Explore best
training practices and technology appropriate to the setting and culture.
7.
How long should I stay on the job?
Provide holistic and integrated life support to the Individual. Ensure consistent
service and opportunities for community activities which connect to work, home,
social, and recreational needs.
8.
What if the job does not work out? What if the employee cannot learn the job?
Revisit assessment information and information from circle of support. Discuss
if a training issue is the obstacle. Decide with all supports if the individual
should resign from the job.
9.
What if the employer decides to fire the employee?
Continue planning career decisions based on the employer’s input. Determine
reasons for termination. Determine if job modifications and additional training
will enhance the worker’s productivity.
10.
How will I handle challenging behaviors on the job?
Address challenging behavior issues in career planning. Finding the best job
match may prevent challenging behaviors in the future.
11.
How can I help the employee "fit in" to the work environment?
Provide natural supports, help the individual develop social connections and
build relationships in the community and on-the-job.
12.
The parents say the work shop is safe; what do I say to that?
Talk about the safety measures that supported employment uses: a job coach will
be in place to facilitate the process of becoming a part of the workplace culture.
1.
How will I get to work?
Discuss the individual’s concerns about transportation in career planning.
2.
How will I make friends on the job?
Use natural supports (family, friends, co-workers), build social connections
and relationships in the community and on the job.
3.
Who will "watch out" for me on the job?
Develop relationships on the job; develop self-responsibility to advocate for
yourself. Choose the job that matches your personal interests, preferences,
skills, and aptitudes.
4.
What if I don't like the job? My co-workers? My boss?
Discuss your concerns with your supports. Determine what steps can be taken
to establish a better working relationship.
5.
What if I want to go on vacation?
Plan your vacation well in advance. If necessary, request time off.
6.
How will I get a raise?
Discuss the raise with your supervisor. Establish your goal and work towards
it.
7.
Can I do anything I want? Can I have any job I want?
To have a job that you like, first determine your interests and skills. Then,
research the requirements of your desired job. Let the circle of supports help
you locate that specific job. Learn job tasks required for this job.
8.
When can I go to work?
Plan your career with your circle of supports. Locate the job that matches your
interests and skills. Apply your skills.
9.
When do I get paid?
Frequency of payment depends on an employer's compensation policy: you might
be paid each week, every two weeks, or monthly.
10.
Can I spend my own money?
Be responsible in spending the money you earn. Plan with your circle of support.
Make a budget. Determine the amount of spending money. Make good and responsible
financial decisions.
11.
I don't want to lose my check, can I still work?
Depending on the type of check a person receives, work is possible. If someone
draws Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a rough estimate is that for every
$2 a person earns, the check will be reduced by $1. If someone receives Social
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), they can work 9 months without losing
any SSDI money. If a person earns less than $760 (2002 figure), they can keep
all of their SSDI check and the money earned, minus taxes.