Background
Brandon is a resident of Maryland who has autism and describes himself as someone who loves to learn new things, participate in community theater, and go on dates with his fiancée. He plays the piano and loves the outdoors. Brandon works at a local hardware store as a retail associate. He loves his work and is supported by his coworkers and a job coach. Many of his coworkers have become close and trusted friends.
What’s Important
Brandon started using self-directed services (SDS) as a young adult. His family believed that SDS would best align with his unique health needs and his parents’ belief in his ability to succeed. Brandon applied for SDS when he transitioned from education to employment. With the support of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), he was approved and worked with his parents and coordinator of community services to set up services. At the same time, he also applied for a housing voucher.
Brandon’s mother described the importance of his move to SDS and his housing voucher as:
“a real blessing, and it's given him an opportunity to explore all these options to work, and it's given him an opportunity to do his music and theater, and be with his girlfriend...and go to the mall if he wants to, or go here if he wants to, so… to be his own person, too, without his mom and dad.”
Brandon’s first job was at a local library, and he worked there for 20 years. Throughout his time at the library, Brandon used SDS to employ several job coaches to work with him. He became familiar with the Dewey Decimal system, learned how to sort and return the books, handled mail and online orders, and worked with customers. Brandon had to leave his position at the library in 2020 when he and many of his coworkers were furloughed.
After Brandon’s position ended at the library, he worked with his job coach to get an interview at a local hardware store. Brandon was hired shortly after.
What Happened
Brandon works three days a week in this competitive integrated employment position at the hardware store. He stocks and organizes the shelves, prepares orders, and gets to interact with customers by answering their questions. Brandon enjoys working in positions where he has facetime with customers. He loves to help people find the perfect tool for the job.
When he started his job at the hardware store, Brandon had some apprehension about the job and worked with his job coach to devise strategies to address his initial worries. Brandon’s coworkers at the hardware store support him in the same ways they would help each other; they help with talking to customers, keeping things on track, and support his medical needs. He has fostered close relationships with his coworkers, is excited to go to work, and loves his job.
Brandon’s job coach is paid through home and community-based funds to help Brandon with “just living life,” as he describes it. In addition to coaching Brandon at work, the employee also works in another capacity supporting Brandon with household work, cooking and cleaning, and getting everything ready for the upcoming work week. Brandon has another employee who stays in his second bedroom overnight and helps him manage his health and medical care. All three of Brandon’s staff were hired and paid through SDS to ensure all Brandon’s needs are met. Basically, Brandon self-directs his services to live as autonomously as possible.
Brandon and his parents manage his employees and waiver budget with help from a financial management and counseling service provider that is contracted through the Maryland DDA. The organization handles staff certification, manages payroll and taxes, and helps Brandon budget. Additionally, Brandon contracts with a support broker and a coordinator of community services. They, handle most of the DDA paperwork and help him set and measure long term goals, such as taking on more self-responsibility, as part of an annual end-of-year review.
Brandon shared that he has a good quality of life because he is surrounded by people who care for and support him to be as independent as possible. Their goal, according to Brandon’s mother, is to help him “find himself… we want to further his individuality and make sure he's doing the most that he can on his own, for himself, rather than us.”
When asked why he uses SDS, Brandon replied, “You're the boss! Yeah, I'm the boss.”
Lessons Learned
SDS can promote a full life while addressing unique needs. Directing support and services through SDS has made it possible for Brandon to live autonomously, have a job he enjoys, and be a part of his community. You can use SDS to tailor your supports to your employment and personal needs so that you can reach your work aspirations.
Work skills can be applied across different jobs. Although Brandon was laid off from one job, his family and job coach helped him identify skills he could bring to a new job, such as interacting with customers, sorting information and items, and making sure customers find the correct tools. Your first job may not be exactly what you want to do, or you may leave a job at some point. If you focus on identifying the skills you learned at each job, it can make the transition to new opportunities easier.
Good relationships with coworkers are important for employment success. Brandon has some natural support at work and coworkers who consider him a friend. If you are currently working, always think about whether you work well with your coworkers. If you are looking for employment, consider how you could work well with coworkers at potential jobs.
For more information, contact: Jean E Winsor at Jean.Winsor@umb.edu