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“Engaging youth and their families to use services and supports as tools for greater independence and self-sufficiency.” The WV Youth Works program will provide a comprehensive range of services to encourage and enable enrolled youth to obtain employment that will foster self-sufficiency and decrease and/or eliminate dependence on governmental entitlements. HRDF’s intervention is based on a person-centered planning approach to deliver customized services and supports to youth with disabilities. Services:
Person Centered Assessment
Once enrolled into the program, the CES will meet with the participant and their family in order to assess work interests, skills & preferences. Past work history including school placements and assessments will be reviewed, if available. WV Youth Works assessments include an Individual Profile, Employability Skills Checklist, and a Positive Personal Profile. Additional information may be gained by completing various online assessments, PATH, Picture Interest Career Survey, or a Job Shadow experience.
Benefits Counseling
Benefits counseling will include the discussion of current SSA benefits, YTD Waivers, and work incentives. The Benefits Counselor will assist the participant and their families in understanding how work and school affect benefit eligibility, and provide support and knowledge to navigate through various benefit systems. Person-Centered Planning
A Person Centered Plan of Action will be completed after the assessments, and will include an overall employment goal, career interests, identified barriers to employment, short term objectives, and strategies to address individual barriers and accommodation needs. Each participant and family will take an active role in creating their Person Centered Plan of Action. Family Workshops
Family involvement is encouraged as part of the WV Youth Works program. Participants and their families will be part of meetings to assess and plan available services. Families will also be involved in the referral process to other service providers in the area to best meet the needs of the participant. Newsletters will be sent out bi-monthly to help educate, and keep families informed of available resources. Family workshops will be held periodically to address hot topics. Job Search Preparation
Job search preparation activities include resume writing, interview skills, learning job search skills, discussion of appropriate work behaviors, and identifying transportation resources to and from work. Job Development
Each participant will receive assistance and support with completing their job search. WV Youth Works staff will assist with completing job applications, and by contacting area employers to discuss hiring needs and to negotiate job duties. The program also offers employer incentives. Competitive Employment
Participants will receive assistance finding full or part time employment in the community making at least minimum wage. Work Activities
Participants may engage in Job Shadowing, Occupational Exploration & Training and Volunteer Work Experiences. These experiences are subsidized work experiences that allow the participant to explore employment options before going directly into a competitive employment setting. On-The-Job Training Contracts
These contracts can be developed as an incentive for an employer, and they also help participants get their foot in the door. The WV Youth Works program has funds to reimburse employers for part of the participant’s wages during a training period. Job Coaching
Participants may work with a job coach at their worksite in order to learn and correctly perform their job duties. This will allow the participant to maintain employment. Follow-up with Employers
Follow-up includes worksite visits to receive feedback and performance evaluations from supervisors and managers to ensure the participant will be successful and maintain employment.
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