WorkStrides Facilitator Training Workshops
Do you enjoy training and group facilitation?
Do you want to make a difference for people who have significant barriers to employment and help them become employed?
Would you like to bring additional income to your agency?
WorkStrides needs facilitators!
WorkStrides is a career development program developed and implemented by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DSHS/DVR). In order to make this program available to DVR customers statewide, DVR and the Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation (UW) are offering training to community partners who wish to offer the program as a fee-for-service to VR and to other customers as well. WorkStrides Facilitator Training Workshops will be offered in five locations across the state.
A business opportunity for you and your agency
The WorkStrides Facilitator Workshop is designed for employment specialists, job coaches, Independent Living Center staff, CRP program staff, vocational service coordinators and other community partners who wish to offer the program as a fee-for-service paid by DVR. Graduates of this train-the-trainer program are also welcome to offer the curriculum to groups with other employment barriers, potentially opening up even more opportunities for diversifying your revenue stream. People who have disabilities or who are from minority communities are encouraged to register and participate.
The WorkStrides Curriculum
The WorkStrides curriculum was developed by Washington DVR based on principles from the Dependable Strengths process, which was pioneered by Dr. Bernard Haldane of the Harvard Business School and is based on the premise that every person has some form of excellence deep within him or her. The WorkStrides curriculum content utilizes:
• group discussion and role play
• activities and experiences of personal reflection, including
o self awareness
o self confidence
o self advocacy
o critical thinking
o decision making
• story-telling as a learning tool
• drawing and other kinesthetic activities
• develop awareness of personal strengths
• research into local job and training opportunities
Outcomes from WorkStrides indicate that customers with disabilities increase their level of self-sufficiency in 5 areas as measured by the Employment Readiness Scale: Career Decision-making, Skills Enhancement, Job Search, Job Maintenance, and Ongoing Career Management. The program offers customers who live in relative isolation an opportunity to be with others in a meaningful way. They learn to team up and support one another, and to move beyond isolation in safe ways that inspire and encourage interaction, appropriate risk-taking, and growth.
What WorkStrides graduates say about the program:
“I realize now how important attitude is towards looking for a job. I didn’t realize how wrong I was doing it, but input from the class helped me immensely.” – Andrea
“This workshop really raised my self-esteem. I had lost my self-confidence to pursue my goals. Now I look at my strengths in black and white and I feel the conviction to go forward.” - Katherine
“My goals were too high, and I am more realistic now. I am more centered and focused on what I need to achieve. I feel like I have come out of a steel shell.” – James
"WorkStrides not only lets you see your own strengths but everyone else’s strengths, too. It helped me have a different outlook in dealing with my family. It’s really helped me move forward and not be stuck any more."
WorkStrides Facilitator Training
Three and a half day facilitator workshops will be offered in several locations across the state. Sessions will be from 9:00 to 4:00 the first three days, and 9:00 to noon the last day. Participants must attend all three and a half days plus a one day follow up session, which will include a practicum in order to receive a Certificate of Completion as a WorkStrides Facilitator and qualify to provide the WorkStrides workshops to DVR customers.
The training will provide a thorough orientation to and understanding of the WorkStrides curriculum, and will offer opportunities to test out and practice each of the curriculum components. Everything necessary to provide WorkStrides workshops (e.g. participant workbooks as well as facilitator tools and instructions) will be provided. There will also be discussion about how to contract with DVR to provide this service to DVR customers.
Approximately two months after each training series, DVR and CCER staff will provide a one-day follow up session to review implementation of the curriculum and provide any needed technical assistance and support.
Locations and Dates
Lacey: May 1-4 (rescheduled from January, 2012 which was cancelled due to snow)
Location to be announced
Spokane: August 7-10, 2012.
Other full week sessions will be announced for fall
Schedule for One Day Follow up Sessions:
Friday, March 30th, Spokane
DVR Social and Health Services
1313 N. Atlantic Suite 1000
Spokane, 99201-2303
Conference Room 1
509-363-4700
Friday, April 27th, Mountlake Terrace (CCER Offices)
Friday, June 1st, Vancouver (location to be announced)
Friday, June 8th, Mt. Vernon (location to be announced)
Tuesday, August 28th, Lacey (location to be announced)