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LEAP helps each person define individual goals
and make a plan for success.
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Other
Employment
Consumers
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This STNA has a smile that wins over her patients. |
Sharon
She's homebound, but bound and determined to work. |
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Erika
Meet the newest employee of the month. |
Alyssa
It took four tries, but she finally found a good job fit. |
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Independent Living Services
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Michael
After setbacks, he's recovering his independence. |
Lita
Adaptive technology was the key to job success. |
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Alan
Give this man his
Quantum LEAP! |
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Other
Youth
Consumers
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David
This computer guru is headed to college. |
Christopher
Unusual abilities led to successful employment. |
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 Sometimes a beautiful smile opens doors. A smile helped Hazel, who suffers from multiple disabilities, succeed in her clinical experiences as a student in LEAP's home health aide training program. The residents in the nursing home where she did her clinical work immediately connected with Hazel and appreciated her caring nature.
In addition to her disabilities, Hazel coped with a lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem. Her interaction with LEAP--the training as well as benefits counseling--turned Hazel’s life around.
“I learned a lot. I didn’t think I could do it, but with the support of LEAP and my husband encouraging me, I did it. I didn’t quit, and now I am working as a home health aide. I’m working all the hours I want to work. This has changed my life in so many ways I can’t explain.”
Today, Hazel has more reasons than ever to smile.
Does being home bound mean being unemployed? Not in Sharon's case. Sharon copes daily with respiratory and neurological disabilities, but she knew she had something to contribute to her community. She also understood that she would benefit personally from a renewed sense of self-esteem and purpose in life. So Sharon consulted LEAP.
Due to her physical limitations, Sharon needed home employment. LEAP conducted a job search, and Acxiom, a company that provides a verification security service to employers, educational institutions, loan institutions, and other organizations, seemed like a possibility. Sharon could verify dates of employment, education, degrees earned, and salary histories with her home telephone.
The LEAP staff assisted Sharon with the job application. When she was hired, a job coach accompanied her to her orientation at Acxiom. He explained the different verification procedures and remained with Sharon until she could do the work independently. LEAP staff continued to follow up. Through the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, they obtained a special chair for her to minimize her discomfort while making the phone calls. Sharon is delighted to be helping in her own support.
 Erika
Finding the right employer can make such a difference! Erika, who struggles with a learning disability, worked for three years at a stable caring for horses. Despite her energy and willingness to work, she was often written up or suspended without pay. Erika would return home tired, discouraged, and in tears, but by the next morning, she always pulled herself together and reported for work.
She was referred to LEAP for placement services. After an interview with three supervisors, medical tests, and other employment related tests, she gained employment at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation as an animal husbandry technician. Seven months later, Erika won an Employee of the Month award from the Biological Resources Unit. Her tears are gone and her smile has made a permanent return.
Alyssa
Sometimes, the fourth time's the charm. Alyssa, who loves video games, movies, and books, dreamed of working in an electronics department.
LEAP helped Alyssa, who has autism, prepare for employment. Staffers helped her develop adult work behaviors, social interactions with co-workers and supervisors, and the ability to accept constructive criticism. They also helped her overcome a math deficit that made working on a cash register quite challenging.
Alyssa was first hired by Suncoast Movies as a retail clerk. She gained skill in multi-tasking, self confidence, and independent work behaviors. The position was seasonal, however, and Alyssa’s position was eliminated. She was got a job at Game Shop as a junior game advisor. Unfortunately, the employer would not allow a job coach to assist with Alyssa’s training, and her name eventually faded from the work schedule.
Next, Alyssa was hired as a sales associate at Wal-Mart, where she worked in the stationery and food departments, with the hope of moving to the electronics department. Although Wal-Mart permitted the job coach to work with Alyssa, she did not retain good work behaviors and often took longer breaks than allowed. She was eventually let go by Wal-Mart, which upset her greatly.
She discontinued placement services and instead began counseling services. When she returned to placement services, the LEAP staff knew they had to find a smaller and very supportive work environment for her. The Oberlin College Bookstore turned out to be the perfect match. Alyssa loves the job and her co-workers are very supportive. She is not their fastest worker, but she is one of their most accurate. Although it took four tries, LEAP staff succeeded in finding the perfect placement for Alyssa.
Maxine worked for 25 years in housekeeping jobs at nursing homes, hotels, motels, and office buildings, struggling in atmospheres where she was frequently criticized or mocked just because she could not hear as well as others. In her heart, she longed to work with frail older adults or persons with disabilities.
But the obstacles to such a job change were formidable. In addition to being hearing impaired, Maxine did not graduate from high school and had no STNA certificate. On the plus side, Maxine was an experienced caregiver with a passion for the work.
LEAP went to work to help Maxine realize her dream. Staff members designed and circulated a resume, conducted a job search, and set up an interview with Visiting Angels, an agency that provides assisted living to elderly persons. The interviewer reluctantly concluded that Maxine could not be placed as a nurse’s assistant due to her lack of credentials. Nonetheless, the interviewer was so impressed with Maxine’s passion that she put Maxine on the waiting list to be a companion to older adults, a job that does not require a high school diploma. In fact, the interviewer put Maxine’s name at the top of the list, ahead of current employees requesting that assignment.
One week later, Visiting Angels hired Maxine as a companion. She no longer deals with insensitive coworkers, and she's doing the work she loves.
Harold supported himself for more than 20 years by selling various items at flea markets. Although this work gave him the advantage of establishing his own work hours and making his own decisions, it provided no medical benefits. Harold, age 62, suffers from macular degeneration and knew he needed health insurance.
With the help of his LEAP job coach, Harold learned new job duties, developed organizational skills, and responds to his employer’s standards rather than his own.
Now at Angelica Textiles, Harold has received three pay raises and has a perfect attendance record. And, he's happy to report, he has health benefits.
“I am blessed – my life has turned around,” beamed 53-year-old Frederick. Bringing his own experience with disabilities and his struggles with substance abuse to his position as a home health aide, Fred gives the highest quality care to his clients. Why does he go that extra mile for the people with disabilities in his care? “I know what it’s like,” he states.
After deciding that his calling was with adults rather than with children, Fred attended both the home health aide and the state-tested nursing assistant (STNA) training programs offered by LEAP. Despite his disability issues and learning needs, he passed the Ohio STNA licensing exam on the first try.
When asked to describe his new life, Fred answers, “I’m working, I’m married and I am the man of my house.” He and his wife are in the process of buying their own home.
 At age 48, Mike was already coping with the challenges of cerebral palsy when an auto accident left him with a traumatic brain injury. He also suffered fractures of his sternum, spine, and left wrist. One of the residual effects of his brain injury was impaired eyesight, which reduced his ability to read and comprehend written information.
LEAP provided multiple forms of assistance. Michael needed funding to help with some of his debt, a wheelchair ramp at his home, and better nutrition, among other things.
LEAP requested funding from the Homer Fund to pay Mike’s back rent and other bills, as well as cash to cover the costs of materials to build a ramp. The fund donated nearly $5,000, and the labor to construct the ramp was contributed by Sacred Hearts/Joshua Tree Program.
LEAP staff also assisted the law firm handling Mike’s Social Security appeal, resulting in an entirely favorable decision. Better nutrition was obtained through the local food bank. And LEAP continues to work on coordination of services for the visually impaired that will help Mike eventually return to work.
 The word adapt may be the most important word in Lita Townsend’s vocabulary. Adaptive technology became the key to her search for employment when arthritis and rheumatism began causing pain in her legs, back, forearms, and wrists.
Lita had contacted the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, who then contacted LEAP, which did an assessment of her needs. The assessment determined that three key adaptations would make it possible for Lita to do some telecommunication work from her home. With funding from the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, LEAP ordered an ergonomic keyboard, a special trackball, and an automatically adjustable-height desk.
The keyboard allows Lita’s fingers to rest at a downward angle and keeps her wrists in a neutral position. The mouse is a standard four-button trackball that allows for automatic double clicks and a more comfortable drag-and-drop process. By using a switch underneath the desk's top, Lita can raise or lower the desk's surface and work while seated in her wheelchair or while standing. These are important alternatives that relieve her pain.
Lita was recently hired by a company offering home-based employment, and she will be using a telephone and her adaptive devices to communicate with customers and with her employer.
Watching Alan, aka "Muscle Man," participate in Quantum LEAP’s activities is like watching a teenager! A young and vibrant 61 years old, Alan has more energy and enthusiasm than most of us muster after several cups of coffee. Alan has been with Quantum LEAP since its inception and has signed up for nearly every activity offered. Whether it’s climbing a 40- foot rock wall, taking a 3-mile hike, or dancing the night away at a Quantum LEAP dance, Alan enjoys every moment with his Quantum LEAP friends.
Besides making so many new friends, Alan's greatest success has been his weight loss. He has lost 40 pounds to date and continues to strive for a life full of good health, wellness, and fitness! Alan has changed his diet and exercise routine, and his weekly healthy Quantum LEAP snack of Spring Water, Chex Mix, and Granola Bars has served him well in his active lifestyle.
The smile on his face tells it all--he is having the time of his life!
Sometimes the disabilities are too overwhelming, and no matter how willing a potential worker may be, a job cannot be found. Such was the case of Sean Ayers, age 28, who lives in Parma with his girlfriend and their one-year old daughter. Sean has a mental disability that has affected every job placement he has had through the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD).
When the CCBDD referred Sean to LEAP, staff members helped him complete a telephone interview that was part of his Social Security application. They accompanied him to the required medical appointments several months later. Then, as Sean waited to learn the outcome of his application, LEAP staff checked in with him regularly to answer questions and to give encouragement and support. Finally, five months after he applied, Sean was awarded Social Security benefits. He now feels proud to be a dad who contributes to the support of his family.
The Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission (ORSC) referred Meredith to LEAP for benefits assistance. Meredith’s primary disability is spinal muscular atrophy type 2. Meredith receives $579 in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and is eligible for Medicaid. She has the use of a power wheelchair and has 35 hours of in-home care assistance, which is provided through the homecare waiver she receives.
When LEAP began working with Meredith, she was completing her master’s degree in social work at Cleveland State University and doing an internship at the ORSC. Meredith’s goal was to secure employment with the ORSC or another agency where she could utilize her degree. Meredith informed LEAP that the starting salary for her position was 40K full time. She was interested in the benefits analysis to obtain information about how working would affect not only her SSI, but more importantly her Medicaid and waiver. She was concerned that she would still have medical coverage until she was able to secure employment, as her medical needs are extensive. Meredith will be working at a level where she will not receive her SSI cash benefit and eventually be self-sufficient. Meredith did assign her Ticket to Work to the ORSC.
A student at Cleveland Heights High School, David set specific goals for himself: exploring career choices, determining appropriate colleges, identifying assistive technology to serve his work and college needs, and working part-time while in high school. He credits his transition team--composed of his high school, his family, the Cleveland Sight Center, the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, and LEAP's High School/High Tech Program--in helping him meet those benchmarks.
As a senior, David jumped at the opportunities developed through High School/High Tech, including a four-week internship with Best Buy’s Geek Squad, the in-store support center for consumers with computer problems. Through that internship, he gained valuable technology support skills. He learned to utilize Magic 9 (a screen-enlarging software), Window’s magnifier, and a portable, battery-operated magnifier. Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) recognized David's skills and hired him as a technical support specialist. His his duties included providing technical support, troubleshooting, and installing computer hardware and software. Hewas also responsible for computer orientation for a staff of 200 located at 10 different sites.
Most recently, High School/High Tech helped David secure an internship with Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), a firm that provides training for Ernst and Young employees. ACS brought David on as an intern to research and provide technical assistance in the creation of virtual classrooms in Second Life. An immense virtual world, Second Life currently has 15 million users and reports that $1.5 million in real money is traded every day on its site. This computerized world is now frequently being used by national and international corporations to promote their companies and help their employees stay connected and informed. David’s responsibilities while at ACS included researching other corporation's sites, such as Dell Corp. or CNN, creating a PowerPoint presentation explaining his research, offering advice on future building in Second Life, and building prototypes of learning environments. David's work in Second Life, as well as his professionalism and enthusiasm, so impressed his supervisors that they asked him to continue to advise them as they implement many of the ideas that he developed.
David attends Cuyahoga Community College, focusing on information technology and audio technology. He hopes to transfer to Kent State University upon finishing his coursework at Tri-C. David also expressed interest in continuing his involvement with High School/High Tech by volunteering as a peer mentor for future participants.
Christopher’s unusual ability to arrange files numerically and alphabetically with remarkable accuracy and speed makes him a great asset at the Cleveland Veterans' Administration Medical Center (VAMC), where he volunteered in the medical records department. His incredible talent might have remained undiscovered without the involvement of staff at LEAP, where Chris participated in the Job Link Program.
Due to his deafness and autistic-like characteristics, Chris required support from his Job Link program coordinator in developing strategies for effective communication and in gaining skills needed to be successful in a work environment.
Chris’ goal was to obtain paid employment using his skills and abilities. No positions were available in the medical records department, but the VAMC hired him for a position in medical supply area, where he has exceeded his supervisor’s expectations for performance.
“Chris is like a calculator,” says Homell Calhoun, his supervisor at the VAMC. “His abilities are amazing. He’ll surprise you with the volume of work he can perform and how quickly he learns to do new things. Chris is more accurate than some machines. And he’s such a good kid too.”
A summer job can sometimes open doors to new skills and responsibilities. During his first year with the Job Link Summer Work Experience at the Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Brecksville, DeAngelo Ward was responsible for stocking inventory in the retail store. During his second year there, he was given the additional duties of assisting customers and making deliveries.
He also became a peer coach for another student who was periodically assigned to the store. DeAngelo directed his fellow student’s tasks and ensured that he received appropriate peer support. Not only did he lead, instruct, and provide assistance to his peer, DeAngelo also effectively communicated with the young man, who seldom speaks with anyone. DeAngelo accomplished all of these assignments while dealing with his own developmental disability.
LEAP provides year-round life- and employability skills training for De Angelo. Upon his graduation from high school, LEAP will assist him with job development services. Job Link opened the door for DeAngelo, but he had to have the incentive to walk through it.
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