WORKSTRIDES

By Bob Pack & Dona Fuerst

WorkStides is a Career Development Program that incorporates the Dependable Strengths Articulation Process (DSAP), and is provided by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DSHS/DVR). On the WorkStrides Steering Committee are Chuck Paeth, Dona Fuerst, Bob Pack, Dee Lord, Teresa Kutsch, Jan Staroski, Beth Swett, and Kathe Matrone.

Participant feedback consistently proves the practical value of the WorkStrides/DSAP strength-based group process. Many customers live in relative isolation. WorkStrides offers them 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.

WorkStrides completed a new round of Dependable Strengths training November 16. There are now 30 WorkStrides trainers. In addition to teams at five pilot sites (North Seattle, Renton, Silverdale, Spokane, Thurston), there are trainees in Mt. Vernon, Tacoma, and Vancouver. A special guest attended the training from Western Oregon University (Monmouth), Dr. Linda Keller, who hopes to introduce WorkStrides in Oregon.

October 15, Bob Pack and Beth Swett presented WorkStrides at the National Training Conference on Rehabilitation Education in Washington D.C. The presentation generated a high level of interest.

October 20, Bob Pack presented WorkStrides in Yakima at a meeting of the Washington State Rehabilitation Council. Comments were most favorable.

October 24, Bob Pack and Dona Fuerst presented WorkStrides to Washington State administrators of the Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. One member of that audience suggested that a WorksStrides presentation would be welcome at the annual statewide Mental Health Conference.

November 21, Dona Fuerst presented WorkStrides at a quarterly meeting of DSHS/DVR tribal partners. The response was enthusiastic and led to an invitation to train staff members in the WorkStrides process.

Initial ERS Data

One measure of WorkStrides effectiveness is the Employment Readiness Scale (ERS). ERS testing is administered to customers before and after WorkStrides. So far, thirty-eight WorkStrides customers have been tested, and the initial findings are impressive.

The data indicates that, after WorkStrides, customers essentially double their level of self-sufficiency in all dimensions of employability measured!

Especially noteworthy is the high percentage of customers, 61%, who now view their work history as a positive support in the job-search process, compared with only 32% who felt that way prior to WorkStrides.

The significant increase in ERS scores can be attributed to the way customers are guided into a new sense of self-worth and accomplishment by way of the time-tested Dependable Strengths Articulation Process.

Data provided by Employment Readiness Scale™
www.employmentreadiness.com

For more information on WorkStrides
Click Here

Or contact Bob Pack (packrs@dshs.wa.gov)

Or Dona Fuerst (fuersd@dshs.wa.gov