Thank you for the comments and suggestions for carved job leads. We have assisted employers this year to create the following positions. We have used employment proposal techniques, relationship building, networking meetings and friend referrals.

ü We used an employment proposal process to help a retirement center hire a client 2 hrs during busy times to help existing workers keep up with workload.

ü After a friend referral an attorney firm hired a client to do janitorial work one day per week

ü A wellness center massage clinic hired a client to do general cleaning in common areas

ü Retirement Center created an additional busser position to clean the kitchen and dining room area.

ü A pet store using our assessment process hired our client just to care for the fish-because he was so talented in this area

ü bowling center created a janitorial position to help keep up during busy times.

Placements these past two weeks include general labor position, peer advocate and demonstrator

Dear OVRS Counselors,

We appreciate all of you who have called re: our CBWE assessment site opportunites. Currently, we have four CBWE’s in progress. A few referals applied for the general labor position and Voice Curve work at home opportunity posted last week. One client has a verbal job offer.

I don’t have any new job leads for this week but will be setting some up for next wednesday. I have been thinking about many of the custom, carved or created jobs we have found for clients over the years. What are your clients looking for that we can keep in mind? Let us know with a quick email. We are always on the lookout for single task jobs or ones we can help an employer create.

Wishing everyone a great new year!

Setting up work experience with local employers is one thing we do. Currently 20 employers in our community are helping give valuable work experience for our customers who are looking for the right job. 23% of our customers this past quarter were employed through the work experience program.

Quarterly Reports 2010 3rd quarter Public View

Veterans Stand Down and Job Fair
November 16-17, 2010

http://centralcityconcern.org/veterans-stand-down.htm

Driving Up Employment for Veterans with
Disabilities
Thursday, November 18, 2010 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/245548115

Community Based Assessments currently in progress at senior retirement living doing food prep in Lake Oswego, Production Assembly in SE Ptld, Sales Associate in fashion retail, Mechanic helper in SE Ptld. Recent placements as Laundry Aide- Senior Care Facility SE Ptld, Retail Stock Associate- Lloyd Ctr and Custodian in SE Ptld.
Currently looking to talk with employers who have a specific problem to solve that would require a custom fit. Many of my clients have a specific skill set that requires a job that is custom fit to their skills.

Closed two placements successful employed 90 days. Retail clerk at Dollar Tree and dishwasher at OHSU. Working on placements this lube technician SE Ptld, retail clerk clackamas, donation attendant or thrift or small retail store clerk in hillsboro, senior contract analyst or quality assurance analyst at adidas, nike,… columbia sportswear or insurance industry and commercial custodian or warehouse ft with benefits.

I enjoyed speaking at the Autism of Oregon Conference at the Convention Center on Friday Oct 1st. I invited three panelists to discuss their success strategies in finding, keeping and maintaining employment. Some of the questions I will post here on the blog.

http://www.oregonautism.com/

1. When do I tell an employer about my disability?
We have a policy at our office that we don’t talk about the label of disability with employers. I recommend you never reveal the disability itself. I focus the conversation with the employer on the talents my client has. I also include the limitations and how these will be minimized with support or accommodation. I find that when disability labels are mentioned it is easy to get sidetracked leading to other questions and comments about the persons experience with that disability.

2. Where do I get my clients from? Who pays for services?
Most of the clients we serve are funded by Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services. We do have a small private pay caseload.

3. Vocational transition planning ideas for 16-18 yr old youth
I work with only adults. I am a strong believer that youth age 16-18 should be actively involved in employment activities in the community where full integration can be realized. Volunteering is a great way to start. I find if your not willing to volunteer you most likely won’t make a good employee. I believe we should be providing the support necessary so that all individuals who are interested can take part in meaningful work activity in their community. Work takes investment, dedication and commitment. I encourage parents and educators to work with youth to make work activities as real as possible. One of my concerns is when youth are riding the school bus to their job sites or having their parents drive them are not realizing what independence truly is. Youth who are taught and who have installed in them a sense of independence do better in employment in the long run.

4. With such difficult economic times isn’t it hard to place individuals with disabilities into jobs? Are there any jobs out there?
I talk to employers on a daily basis who are interested in hiring individuals. Disability is not the factor. The economy is not the factor. The primary factor in job placement is the match. Employers want problems fixed. Employers want someone who can come in and help get something done they need accomplished. I focus on bringing solutions to our community. I focus on solving problems faced by employers. As a job seeker you should have this same focus. Thousands of jobs are available in our community, many of which we are not even aware of until we ask. Craigslist post 500 jobs per day in the Portland Metro area. All postings are after the same thing, to find a match that will fix their need.
In job development, as with job seekers everywhere our goal needs to be identifying our strengths and weaknesses and putting together a proposal to an employer that is seen as a match to fix the problem for the employer. Jobs are available because of need. Ask yourself, “How can you solve a problem and match a need in your community?”