Workgroups
Who We Are
Once the PATH was finalized, six workgroups were formed to help achieve the goals identified in the strategic plan. A steering committee also was formed, to guide and monitor the progress of the workgroups. In addition, an advisory group was established, representing the various stakeholder groups and serving the steering committee by providing feedback from within and outside of the system, refining overall employment policy in relationship to the individual stakeholder groups, and helping to expand efforts to meet the goals of Philadelphia's Vision for Employment 2010. What's been happening with the workgroups? Here's a recap of progress to date!
Supports Coordination This workgroup is exploring issues that are specific to the role of supports coordinators and employment; the workgroup is focusing on ways to improve the process of referring people to employment support services, and on ways to assist supports coordinators to best address the subject of employment as an option for individuals and families to consider, as part of the planning process. Contact Wanda Sabb at MRS (215-685-5981, wanda.sabb@phila.gov) to join the workgroup or for more info.
Data The Data workgroup is working to improve ways to collect, represent and use data to better understand employment outcomes and trends, and to measure the progress towards 2010. Contact Leonard Kravitz at MRS (215-685-5976, leonard.kravitz@phila.gov) to join the workgroup or for more info.
Who Wants To Work? Discussing employment options with individuals and families, and developing protocols for determining if people want to think about making a change from their current day service and consider community employment is at the heart of this workgroup. Meeting with supports coordinators, the workgroup is figuring out how to best proceed in offering community employment opportunities to as many people as possible. Contact Shauna Roman at Networks (215-546-4112, shaunar@networksfortraining.org) to join the workgroup or for more info.
Capacity Building If more and more people are going to choose community employment, what can be done to assist providers and coaches to improve and refine their skills and increase their capacity to support the growing number of people who will require community employment supports? Helping to increase resources and focusing on ways to make employment a reality for more people is the charge of this workgroup. Contact Teresa Myers-Thompson at MRS (215-685-5924, teresa.myers@phila.gov) to join the workgroup or for more info.
Transition Building better and easier collaborations between the schools and adult services, partnering with the Transition Coalition, and continuing the Philadelphia Transition Project are the key aspects to helping everyone graduate with a job! This year, of 44 people eligible for transition services through the Person/Family Directed Support Waiver, 12 have chosen a CIE provider (two have jobs!) and work continues to identify candidates. Contact Julia Barol at Networks (215-546-4307, juliab@networksfortraining.org) to join the workgroup or for more info.
Public Relations Start spreading the news! This workgroup, after initiating and completing the Philadelphia Vision for Employment 2010 Logo and Slogan Contest, is hard at work planning new and exciting ways to promote the mission of '2010' and involve the community at large in achieving the Vision of "employment for all." Sharing exciting success stories, partnering with employers to create a calendar, website activities, advertising for the general public, and many more great ideas all are on the table! The efforts of this workgroup are shaping up to be the biggest public relations campaign ever to spread the word about the power and the benefits of employment - for individuals, for employers, for coworkers, for the community, for everyone! We need you! Contact Ann Marie Campbell at MRS (215-685-5980, AnnMarie.Campbell@phila.gov) to join the workgroup or for more info.
Steering Committee Philadelphia Vision for Employment 2010 is a strategic planning effort designed to increase the number of people with mental retardation working in community businesses. The Steering Committee guides and coordinates the efforts of six interrelated Workgroups charged with developing strategies that:
- Increase the number of Philadelphians with mental retardation working in jobs of their choosing
- Increase collaborations and partnerships within and outside the service system
- Improve practices for providing employment support
- Influence stakeholder attitudes and beliefs about employability
The Steering Committee meets on a monthly basis to review current system wide employment outcomes, brainstorm and develop new strategies, and assess performance and progress toward the goals of Philadelphia Vision for Employment 2010.
Be a part of the energy! Do what you can to support efforts to make community employment a reality! Join a committee, share your opinion, help us tell the many stories of people working, what it means to them, and the barriers they've overcome. Philadelphia's Vision for Employment 2010 - We're On the Job!