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CAMP HORIZONS SUPPORTED
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES:
Creating a Culture of Change
(by Kathleen McNaboe, Fall 2001)
Terry Ford, Director of Camp
Horizons Supported Employment Services, SES, will tell you
proudly that SES is "quite a different operation than it was
just a few years ago." For many years we had a reputation
for working at outdoor jobs with individuals who have very
challenging behavioral issues and significant mental handicaps.
"While it is still true that we do that", Terry reports, "we
do so much more."
"We work in kitchens, hotels, universities, academies
and farms. These are places we go every day. Some workers
wash dishes, take care of animals, cook, and work in housekeeping
while others clear brush, rake leaves and cut, stack and deliver
firewood. We work with people whose needs are very limited
and with those whose needs are very great. Our job coaches
have the skills to work with people who only use gestures
and a few signs to communicate one day and with a worker who
can read and write but has problems emotionally the next day.
" In the past, all of the workers were dropped off in
the morning at Camp Horizons then they traveled with Camp
Horizons staff to their respective job sites. Now most of
the workers go from their homes directly to their job site
where they are met by Camp Horizons staff. With more time
at the job site more can be learned and more money can be
earned.
SES supports between 25 to 28 workers right now. Terry
and his team have organized SES in a way that promotes professionalism,
respects the worker and employer and allows us to respond
to requests to do more, train staff more efficiently and provide
them with weekly feedback. Three assistant mangers are assigned
specific job sites where they are responsible for coaching
workers, interfacing with employers and training job coaches.
Then six Job Coaches work three-week rotations at a variety
of job sites in a fixed, predictable pattern. The rotation
results in three sets of eyes and three different perspectives
on solving problems and improving the quality of our support.
The rotation also creates a check and balance system that
ensures the work we do at all sites is done well. Terry noted
that "often in human services we tend to find something that
works, such as one staff being very effective with one worker
and we leave it that way. Our rotation policy avoids burn
out on the part of the staff and fosters creativity and vision
regarding alternatives for the worker." Terry feels that is
important to create a culture of positive change. This way
our staff can respond immediately when an employer wants something
done differently or needs to make a schedule change. We can
readily support a worker who is transitioning from high school
to the work world. Changes in the levels of support needed
by workers due to illness, medication changes, changes in
personal life or aging are identified quickly and adjustments
made effectively. Things that had caused the loss of jobs
in the past are now embraced head on. We change first to avoid
these kinds of setbacks. Change is also part of each worker's
annual Career Plan. Video of the worker on the job is shared
at these planning meetings so all team members including family,
staff from the workers residence and  Case
Mangers can see the individual's accomplishments and preferences.
This way all team members can help the worker make changes
and realize his or her personal career goals. We know that
change will continue to be part of the culture of Camp Horizons
Supported Employment Services, and we are ready and excited
to accept the challenge of change. |
