Project ActivitiesThe activities and products associated with this project included: implementing the FLAGs model, creating of a Personal Profile (a skills, talents and preferences inventory) to be completed by potential members, conducting two cross-training workshops, holding a "Community Service Fair," developing of a web page to disseminate the model across the state and, creating an exit satisfaction survey for members with disabilities. The implementation of the FLAG model The first FLAGs meeting entailed the mutual sharing of information, the initial cross training, discussion of project goals and the planning of project technical assistance and recruitment activities. The second and third meetings were devoted to creating the personal profile/inventory form, coordinating the supports needed by potential members and scheduling the community service fair. At the fourth meeting participants reviewed project lessons learned and modified the recruitment and supports process accordingly. FLAGs members also reviewed the draft exit survey and provided feedback on the new project web page. The creation of a personal profile/inventory A key reason for lack of success by a person with a disability in a community service program can be an inappropriate matching of the person's skills and preferences with the service program and/or member position. To address this mismatch, the project created a Personal Profile that is completed by potential recruits, prior to their selecting a community service program. This profile asks the individual to document: his/her talents and abilities; prior related experiences; preference for type of service program; and, desire to serve either indoors or outdoors. Samples of work or pictures of accomplishments can be included; the need for any accommodations is also noted. Applicants brought their completed profiles to the Service Fair, as a means of introduction and to allow better matching with the service programs. The Personal Profile accomplishes two things. First, it serves as a type of "resume" for the person with a disability, who may lack an employment history. Second, it helps the reader focus on the talents, skills and preferences of the individual, rather than merely on his/her disability or limitations. Two cross training workshops Two regional training workshops were held during this project. Each entailed the presentation of information on community service programs to people with disabilities their families and disability professionals, as well as the presentation of disability information to the AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs. [Training Slides] The coordination of a Service Fair The project adapted the concept of a "job fair" and member AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and Volunteer Florida participated. Each provided a display and distributed descriptive materials at this half-day Community Service Fair. A representative from each program was on hand to answer questions, explain the work done by the specific program, and interview and provide applications to potential members. The Service Fair targeted people with disabilities who want to become members or volunteers in an AmeriCorps or Senior Corps program. There were 49 attendees at the fair, among them were 28 people with disabilities and family members, 8 disability professionals and 13 service program representatives. The Fair was held in the Education & Training Center at Memorial West Hospital in Pembroke Pines, Florida on Saturday, May 7, 2005. Service Fair participants were welcomed by Jean Sherman, Project Director. She gave an overview of the Fair schedule and slides explaining the FLAGs program. From Volunteer Florida, Paul Martell's slide presentation concerned successful inclusion in AmeriCorps programs. He showed a video that portrayed several AmeriCorps members in active roles and their achievements with the programs. Paul also explained how an agency can apply to become a new program sponsor. Diane Bates from the Broward Senior Companion Program, Chris Yoculan from the Broward Mental Health Association, and Fay Bullock from Gulf Stream Goodwill all gave participants explanations of their programs.
During lunch, new participants had the opportunity to fill out their Personal Profiles. (Chris Yoculan mentioned that the Personal Profile was so useful that he incorporated it into his program). After lunch the participants circulated and visited each service program display and had the opportunity to interview or apply to programs. Also during this time, people were able to ask Benefits counselors any questions they had regarding service stipends and how their benefits might be affected with service membership.
Participants visit service program displays at the Fair. At the conclusion of the Service Fair, an evaluation was provided to the attendees. When asked if they would recommend a Fair like this to others in the future, all respondents answered, "YES". Those present agreed that the Fair helped them learn about community service programs and how people with various disabilities can participate in them. The development of this web page The most compelling aspect of this project is the potential it holds for replicating a successful recruitment and support strategy statewide. The purpose of developing a collaborative model for recruitment and participation of individuals in community service programs is twofold: first, to demonstrate its effectiveness and, second, to ensure its replication in other areas of the state. Currently, one of the best ways to assure replication of ideas and widespread access to newly-developed information and tools is via the Internet. A web page is a particularly useful method of disseminating material on a designated topic, as well as providing links to related resources. That said, clicking on the "Products" link below will take the user to the downloadable products resulting from the FLAGs project. The "Resources" link will connect to a listing of helpful web sites. The web page created here serves as a continuing resource to Florida's Region V FLAGs members, even after the conclusion of this grant. Of particular value are the links to useful state and national web sites and disability resources. Click for Products or Resources The creation/use of an exit satisfaction survey To obtain information about the positive - as well as the negative - aspects of an individual's experience, the project drafted this tool to gain feedback from a member with a disability who is on an annual basis or when he/she is preparing to leave a service program. Gathering such feedback will help both the individual service program and the state commission or office on volunteerism to improve the service/volunteer experience for the future members with disabilities. | ||||||||
