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 five 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 (except in Lacey, see below for details). Participants must attend all three and a half days in order to receive a Certificate of Completion for the WorkStrides Facilitator Training and must meet certain other qualifications, including liability insurance, to contract 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.
After each facilitator training series, DVR and CCER staff will provide follow up to review implementation practices of the trained facilitators and provide any needed technical assistance and support.
Locations and Dates
Lacey: January 17-20 will be rescheduled due to January Snow Mageddon. Probably in April or May, 2012
Mountlake Terrace: January 31-February 3
Vancouver: February 28 – March 2
Mt. Vernon: March 20-23
Specific locations will be provided upon registration.
Costs
This training is being offered for a nominal registration fee of $25, which includes all training materials. The registration fee is non-refundable unless cancellations are received by mail, fax, or e-mail at least 10 days prior to the session.
Click Here to Register
Content Information
Katie Cissell cissek@u.washington.edu or John Dineen dineej@u.washington.edu
Toll Free: 888 377-0100
Registration Information
Tammi Olson tammio@u.washington.edu
425 774-4446