Chapter 3: How to Conduct an Intake

In addition to obtaining the required demographic, work history, and other information collected on all persons served, there may be other points to consider when working with a person with a disability.

Determining their educational credentials might be one of the areas that could be somewhat specific to a person who has been identified as having a disability at birth or up through elementary, middle school and high school. An individual who did not have a disability during these growth years, but who may have had an accident or medical issue that developed in young adulthood (18 or older) would be able to tell you what level of education the person completed. Bear in mind, a person who might have had an injury that created a permanent disability may not be able to function or reason at the level of his or her completed educational grade. This would require some judgment on the Career Coach to determine what future training based on the person’s functional capacity versus attained educational level is feasible.

EDUCATION CATEGORIES

An honors diploma indicates a high level of academic achievement. The requirements for receiving an honors diploma vary but generally include higher level classes, such as foreign languages and honors or advanced placement courses. The guidance department at your school can advise you of the requirements necessary to earn an honors diploma. General Diploma Most high-school graduates receive a general diploma. A general diploma indicates that the graduate has met the basic graduation requirements established by your state's department of education. These requirements commonly include at least three years of science, math, history and English, along with an assortment of electives.

Occupational Diploma Students who participate in a vocational program receive an occupational diploma. A vocational program allows a student to not only focus on general subjects like general math, English and science, but it also provides them with the opportunity to focus on classes to help develop their vocational skills. Vocational schools allow students to earn credits in cosmetology, automotive repair and more. This diploma indicates the successful completion of a job preparation program. Many skilled trade industries accept an occupational diploma as an indication that the graduate has the skills necessary to obtain an entry level position in the field. Some vocational programs offer industry-recognized certifications along with the general occupational diploma that they receive from their home high school.

Certificate of Attendance Special education students may earn a certificate of attendance. This type of diploma is awarded to students who, because of a recognized disability, are unable to complete the standard program required to earn a general diploma. The requirements for earning a certificate of attendance vary from student to student and depend largely upon the student's level of functioning and academic abilities.

What does an Individual Education Plan diploma mean?

While an IEP 'diploma' is recognition of an individual student's achievement of his

or her educational goals based on the appropriate level of the learning standards

as specified in the student's current IEP, it is not a standards-based diploma and is not recognized in Tennessee as equivalent to a regular high school.

Community Classroom or Life Skills classes in Tennessee’s public high school allow individuals with significant disabilities to stay in school until they reach their 22nd birthday.

TIPS FOR DOING AN INTAKE WITH PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

● Talk directly with the person. Gather demographics as you would with any other person coming to Goodwill for assistance. ● Let the person speak for himself/herself as possible when accompanied by a family member, caretaker, etc. ● Talk to the person as opposed to talking about the person with someone else who might be present with the person. Gather as much background information as you can ● Find out what that person is interested in; why they came to the Career Solutions center, etc. ● Ask the person about their employment history and the kind of work (or hobbies) that might be an indicator of the types of work the person desires to locate ● Use person-first language such as a person with a disability; wheelchair user; a person who is visually-impaired; a person with a developmental disability, etc.

Questions to ask:

● Is another agency working with that person? ○ If so, what are the services that agency is providing to the person? ● Is the person receiving any type of benefits like Supplemental Security Income,

Social Security Disability, Social Security as a Disabled Adult Child or Social

Security Disability Benefits ○ If they are receiving benefits, how much can they earn without losing their benefits? ○ Do they understand that their benefits might be reduced if they go to work? ● Are they receiving any type of governmental support? Food Stamps, TennCare,

Medicare, SNAP, Subsidized housing? ● Do they have to pay child support? This can also be a situation where are person who receives benefits, but goes to work and faces benefit reduction might find the reduction impacts their ability to pay child support

Career Coach ● Do they have control over their own money or Question is someone else managing their money for them? ○ If so, the person’s name and contact

“Are you your information if they are not with the person. Find out if own guardian?” the person is a conservator or a guardian. ● Do they take daily medication? ○ Determine what side effects (if any) that medication may have on the person. Example: Makes the person drowsy -if so, what time of day? ○ How often does the person have to take the medication? ○ Can the person administer his or her own medication? ● If the person has a disability, are there any health risks a person might have in a specific type of environment? What types of accommodations does the person indicate that would allow him or her to perform certain activities?

REMEMBER:

Have a release of information filled out so you can communicate with any other agencies working with that individual!