Youth who transition out  of post-secondary education are traditionally moved into segregated day programming, or employment roles that are limited in time, earning potential and advancement opportunities. Youth with disabilities often never engage in career planning, but are placed in traditional job roles such as cleaning and bagging groceries.  This often keeps individuals from earning a living wage and keeps them from exploring jobs that highlight their individual talents and skills.  

Partners in this program include Carroll County Public School, , CCYSB,DORS, DDA and Change.

Fidelity to the model of customized employment is important.  If the employment manager begins to fall back on the more traditional method of job placement, youth tend to disengage from the discovery process.

Customized Employment is long-term endeavor which involves a process of Discovery.  The youth is given the opportunity to explore all of their strengths, interests and ideas around employment rather than simply being given a traditional job for people with disabilities, such as cleaning or bagging groceries. Discovery involves meetings in the home, with the youth and their parents or caregivers, to truly understand what type of careers or working environments will be the best match, and can take as long as six weeks.  Several families required multiple attempts to become engaged in the process.

During FY 19, only one youth obtained employment above 20 hours per week within the anticipated time frame of 24 weeks.  Additional youth have obtained full-time competitive employment, however, the process took longer than 24 weeks, which is the ideal time frame for completing a custozmized employment program.  Factors included drops in engagement level by the youth, and lack of fidelity to the model.  These challenges are being addressed in FY 20.