October 2018 TLC's Outcomes Service E-Newsletter

The TLC Outcomes Service Supports National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The TLC Outcomes Service proudly supports National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "America’s Workforce: Empowering All" The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. "Americans of all abilities must have access to good, safe jobs," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "Smart employers know that including different perspectives in problem-solving situations leads to better solutions. Hiring employees with diverse abilities strengthens their business, increases competition and drives innovation." Reflecting this year's theme, The TLC Outcomes Service honored the Safeway store on Darnestown Road, at the Montgomery County Inter Agency Coordinating Committee (Inter/ACC) Recognition Reception, for their outstanding commitment to employing people with disabilities and for their dedicated partnership with the TLC Outcomes team. Also honored was Reka Daroczi a TLC Outcomes Employment Specialist and Case Manager, for providing exceptional service to those she supports and to the employers she partners with. The entire team at TLC Outcomes are passionate about disability employment issues and are committed to supporting an inclusive workforce. "The TLC Outcomes Service is proud to be a part of this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month," said TLC Outcomes Director, Jan Miller-Vogel. "We want to spread the important message that we value employment opportunities for all, including for individuals with differing abilities. We will support those people wanting to work who have disabilities as well as their employers. Obtaining and maintaining employment for those we serve is our goal."  Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting  www.dol.gov/ndeam .

The Montgomery County Inter/ACC Recognition Reception honoring outstanding Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and Community Builders. TLC Outcomes honors DSP Reka Daroczi Pictured her from left to right:  Jan Miller-Vogel, Director TLC Outcomes, Reka Daroczi, TLC Outcomes DSP, and Stacey Briggs, TLC Outcomes Program Coordinator  The Montgomery County Inter/ACC Recognition Reception, TLC Outcomes honors the Safeway on Darnestown Road. Tonza Price, Store Director accepted this award. Pictured here from left to right: Jan Miller-Vogel, Director TLC Outcomes, Tonza Price, Safeway Store Director, and Stacey Briggs, TLC Outcomes Program Coordinator

Supported Employment Mark's Story

Mark is employed at GMMB, an advertising and communications firm in Georgetown. He has been working there for more than 12 years and is supported by The TLC Outcomes Service. Mark does a variety of work for GMMB. When a new employee starts there, the staff person will meet with Mark who will set up their workspace. He delivers the mail every day, does data entry and maintains the supplies. Mark knows all his co-workers and they speak highly of him. His job coach, Sherri Stocklin, who is also the TLC Outcomes Assistant Program Coordinator, has been in the field of Disability Services for more than 17 years and has worked with Mark for most of that time. Sherri does check-ins to be sure that everything is going smoothly. If a new task is required, she will work with Mark until he masters it. Sherri communicates with Mark’s supervisor to obtain feedback, and offers strategies so Mark can work as effectively as possible. Mark is quite independent after working at GMMB for so many years. He takes public transportation to get to his job. He enjoys working at GMMB alongside his co-workers and is dedicated to the firm. One co-worker said, when it snows everyone hopes for a snow day, except for Mark who still wants to go to work. Mark and GMMB exemplify this year’s theme of,  "America’s Workforce: Empowering All" For more information about Supported Employment, Contact Jan Miller-Vogel, Director, TLC's Outcomes Service [email protected]

Transitioning Youth

October is a busy time for Transitioning Youth (TY) Fairs in Montgomery County and The TLC Outcomes team make sure to participate. These TY Fairs are for students and young adults getting ready to transition from school into adult services and their families. The TY fairs have workshops for people to learn about adult services options, funding and the process needed to obtain services. There is an Expo attached to the TY fairs where service providers and other related services have tables with information and staff available to explain services and answer questions.     Saturday October 10, 2018 Outcomes staff participated in the large Transitioning Youth Resource Fair organized and sponsored by The Transition Work Group and hosted by Montgomery College Rockville Campus. There was a large turn-out of more than 200 attendees. Tuesday October 23, 2018 @ 6:30 – 8:30 The TLC Outcomes team discussed transitioning to adult services at the MCPS Transition Information for Parents and Students: Adult Services. Richard Montgomery High School Auditorium Again this year, The TLC Outcomes Service is partnering with DORS in offering a Pre Employment Transition Service (Pre-Ets) ; a program for transitioning youth called Life After High School. This provides workforce development for high school juniors and seniors to prepare for work or post-secondary education. This 12 week session include career assessments, job preparation, social skills training, self-advocacy, basic literacy and computer skills, employer expectations, job searching, workplace readiness, transition services, and counseling on opportunities for in transition or post-secondary education. The program is held at TLC on Gaither Road in Rockville with field trips to employer sites. DORS-funded for Maryland students and available for a fee to DC and VA students. Open to students from all area schools. Students are screened for eligibility. TLC's Outcomes Service will be offering another session February – May 2019.  For more information contact: Karen Morgret, Assistant Director, The TLC Outcomes Service at [email protected]