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Getting Out of the Valley of Unemployment

Getting Out of the Valley of Unemployment. How to “Pardner up” your TBI Job Seeker and Employer Nancy Freeman & Joe Lewis CTAT nfreeman@denveroptions.org. What is a TBI?.

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Getting Out of the Valley of Unemployment

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  1. Getting Out of the Valley of Unemployment How to “Pardner up” your TBI Job Seeker and Employer Nancy Freeman & Joe Lewis CTAT nfreeman@denveroptions.org

  2. What is a TBI? A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. TBI is a life long process, not an event

  3. The Brain • Brains are 3 lbs of gooey, slimy, wobbly gelatinous, blue cheese smelling organ • Brains operate 24 hours per day • If the brain does not receive blood for 10 seconds it becomes unconscious • Brains use 20% of the oxygen we breath • Brains have over 100 billion neurons that send messages to the body • Brains peak at age 20 • Brains are 60% fat

  4. How many people have a TBI? • 1.4 million people sustain TBI in U.S. annually 50,000 die; 235,000 hospitalized; 1.1 million treated and released from emergency departments of hospitals • Every 11 minutes someone has a TBI (How many from bull riding? Unknown)

  5. Needs Created by Injury • CDC estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans currently have a lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living due to a TBI • 40% of TBI survivors had at least one unmet need for services post injury • Average time between injury and seeking DVR services is 9 years • TBI can create epilepsy, Parkinson’s, drug confusion, depression, drug and alcohol addictions • Funding and supplemental financial need occur post injury • Acceptance of self as a different person • Pain control • Understanding of success of other TBI Survivors

  6. My Achy Breaky Unemployed Heart • Increased substance abuse • Increased physical problems • Increased behavior issues • Reduced self-esteem • Loss of social contacts • Alienation and apathy (Warr, 1987)

  7. “95.9% of people with TBI say their unmet need is finding work.” Corrigan et. Al., 2004 The Valley of Doom = Not Working

  8. TBI + Employment = Self Esteem Employment enhances a person’s self esteem and contributes to quality of life Relationships Productivity Socialization

  9. Feeling at Home on the Job Accommodations for TBI • EC/Counselors dedication to partnership & placement - 50/50 • Transportation – Where’s my horse? • Schedule – fatigue management • Interview techniques • Needs – physical, environmental, emotional • Self-Esteem – ensure success • Social training (place and train) • Exhibit positive attitude toward work

  10. Even the Lone Ranger had a Sidekick! Considerations • Knowledge of schedule/To do list • Good sleep habits, fatigue management • Neuropsychological/physical factors • Predictor Variables – JS with high levels of coping and low levels of hopelessness are more likely to RTW successfully • TBI Job Seeker’s interest and passion • VR Services – employment services are more important than all other variables • Natural supports – relationship with employer

  11. There’s more than one way to Break a Horse Finding Jobs Similar to Pre-injury • Tasks that have worked in the past lead to current job leads • Brain storm job leads that are real jobs (Filth, Folding, Flowers, Fast Food & Filing) • What works/ What doesn’t work

  12. Determinants of Outcome How to Reach the Peak of the Mountain • Pre-injury Personality Characteristics (biological/social) • How healthy is the TBI (schedule & exercise) • Type and Severity of Neurological Injury • Type and Severity of Bodily injury • Diagnosis (Alcohol & Drug use) • Support System (Cowpokes from the barn) • Belief in Recovery and acceptance of self

  13. Determinants of Outcome (continued) • Ability to learn (WIT Model) • Desire to Return to Work (RTW) • Community Services Available - VR, EC • Combining medical and alternative models, treatment paradigms, environment & rehabilitation • Educational attainment pre-injury • Litigation and Insurance Status

  14. Employment Strategy Planning • Network – Don’t be left in the Outhouse • Everything is built on relationship • How can you develop relationship with Job Seeker and Employer • Meet with 5 potential Employers per week • Assign action - use network and team • Practice social skills and interviewing • Place TBI Job Seeker • Create Natural Supports

  15. What to say Once you GetYour in the Door Create a script of about 10 seconds • The first words out of their mouth when meeting employers for the first time • Free of Jargon, Acronyms & Confusion • What is your Job Seeker’s story – why are they there (likeability) • What can they do for the employer you are both talking to – benefits • Practice, Practice, Practice!!

  16. Believe in Your Job Seeker! “You have to believe when no one else does. That’s what makes you a winner.” Venus Williams

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