<p> Helpful Tips for Job Development & Pre-Employment Status</p><p>1- Go to HR and stay away from phone or e-mail if possible. In-person conversations work best. Do your homework on possible openings and have ideas in mind for those jobs right away. </p><p>2- Have your students do a resume even if it is a short one and get them prepared for the interview with mock trials. Be sure to proof their application and only accept pen and no cross outs. </p><p>3- Don’t be afraid of the 2-hour shift. We use the 2-hour shift as a way in the door and if we put 3-4 students on a 2-hour shift it is like having 1 of them on an 8- hour shift. It is easier for a department or division to absorb labor costs of a 2- hour shift. </p><p>4- Use the IRS form 8850 and know how to introduce it to employers. Being a tax form and part of deductions in taxable income it can really be a useful tool to you and the employer. Know which kids are eligible and how they got to be eligible. Kalahari includes this form in all HR packets. </p><p>5- First and foremost you are employing students and the fact that they are students with disabilities is 2nd fiddle. We tell employers we are employing kids that learn differently when it comes to having that conversation. This is where saying less is saying more. </p><p>6- When it comes time to discuss details of a student in terms of IEP logistics and confidential things be sure to use the release / exchange forms. </p><p>7- Be a key player with HR paperwork. Kalahari designed a video for us to keep at school that walks kids through HR forms and all the paperwork. This is a huge help to parents and to HR. be sure to let parents know on tax questions and if parents are legal guardians then parents need to sign forms. </p><p>8- Keep copies of 3 documents at your disposal and make sure they are locked up safely and shredded as needed – with parent permission we keep these forms </p><p>Copy of Soc Card Copy of Birth Certificate Copy of a state ID or school ID </p><p>9- Don’t forget about that work permit when kids are under 18 – need original soc security card – MUST have original, parent letter or signature on note verifying work status and copy of birth certificate or another form of ID that verifies DOB. 10- Always scan the work place and work station(s) for natural supports. The goal is always going to be “fading out” and fading is much easier when you have a natural support(s). There is evidence everywhere just find it. </p><p>11- Teach your students early what you are accomplishing. Many of them may feel that working in housekeeping or food service is beneath them or not their cup of tea. Really let them know it is about the skill sets they will develop. At some point in 4-years of HS a class is going to be “beneath a student” but they still finish it – work place should be the same. </p><p>12- Have progressions in place with regards to work (here is our progression or 4-year plan so to speak for various levels of disability areas) – subject to change or deviation</p><p>Grade / 9th 10th 11th 12th 18-21 years setting and disability area(s) EBD Volunteer Job Shadow STW / WE – STW / WE – Not usually Students setting with Day and Job ST job coach ST job coach an option – job coach – Fairs possibly fade most are ST to NS YAP options graduated STW / WE – and if they do ST job coach Look into ESP stay it is for ESP WE / STW SLD Students Job Shadow Job Shadows YAP– level I YAP – level Not usually Day and Job in the II an option – Fairs and community ESP options most are ESP for sure graduated Strong on STW / WE I academics – STW / WE maybe II STW / WE I CDS / ASD Soft job skills Volunteer STW / WE – STW / WE – Possibly and other development setting with LT job coach LT job coach YAP significant and possibly job coach – possibly fade disabilities job boxes or LT or ST ESP late in to ST Possibly ESP task boxes year ESP if not done in 11th grade </p><p>LT – Long Term ST – Short Term YAP – Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP Level I and Level II) STW / WE – School to Work / Work Experience (WE I and WE II) ESP – Employability Skills Program NS – Natural Supports </p>