SAN   FRANCISCO   VOCATIONAL   SERVICES

The SFVS Reporter

Spring 1999

SUCCESS STORIES 

One of the proudest moments for any organization comes when it can bestow honors on those who have benefited from its services. This year's RSNC Board of Directors Fundraising Dinner recognized three participants who were presented with plaques for their achievements in the Transitional Employment Program (TEP), operated by San Francisco Vocational Services under contract to State Compensation Insurance Fund.

The honorees - Rosemary Morgan, Deborah Thomas & James Duncan - share some common traits.  Hardworking and dedicated to achieving their personal goals and overcoming the obstacles of daily life, they also strive to surpass the hurdles imposed by their disabilities.   What else do these people have in common?  The list begins with a renewed sense of purpose, self esteem, confidence and hope.   We congratulate these honorees on their achievements and for all their efforts, and wish them continued success!   

ROSEMARY MORGAN

Rosemary Morgan has been coping with the debilitating effects of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) since she was 22 years old.  Rosemary has worked long and hard using behavioral and drug therapies to find the strength and focus to return to work after 9 years of unemployment.

Now 40, Rosemary tackles her training assignments and work duties with renewed dedication.  Seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel - meaningful, gainful employment - Rosemary looks forward to utilizing the skills she has gained working at TEP and in the SFVS classrooms.   Regaining control over her life has allowed Rosemary to progress at TEP from seasonal employment to Lead Office Assistant, then Assistant TEP Coordinator.  Rosemary says working at TEP provided a "life changing experience that allowed me to regain my confidence," and cites the discipline of tight scheduling and working with others in helping her conquer her fears.   With her new skills in MS Word & Access, and Customer Service Training, Rosemary is prepared to fill a position as a document coder, or records clerk, and hopes to eventually work as a paralegal or in litigation case support.

DEBORAH THOMAS 

Deborah Thomas is energetic and upbeat.  She's a survivor!  In January 1993, Deborah's husband passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack, leaving Deborah a widow and her 3 children fatherless. Three months later in early spring, Deborah was diagnosed with bone cancer, after her femur broke while out walking the family dog.  In June of that year the cancer forced the amputation of her leg. 

Deborah had been working as a MUNI bus driver, sociable and comfortable working around lots of people.  But she became self-conscious about being an amputee, believing that people would treat her differently.   Deborah first learned about SFVS through a subsidized section 8

housing project, and was referred to the TEP program through the Department of Rehabilitation about two years ago.   Deborah openly acknowledges that her participation did wonders for her confidence, and credits TEP Program Manager, Jackie Cramer for motivating her and helping to provide structure.  "Being around others with disabilities helped a lot", she confided.

Deborah is still fighting her cancer.  She knows she's not out of the woods yet but remains optimistic and positive. Because of her disability, Deborah knows that driving a bus is no longer a viable career option, but she doesn't want to dwell on the past.  Her immediate goals are to continue growing and learning, moving up to more advanced clerical work, taking care of her health, and providing for her family.

Deborah Thomas receives an "Individual Achievement" award at the RSNC Board of Directors Annual Dinner.  James Duncan & Rosemary Morgan also received awards during the ceremony held February 25, 1999 at the World Trade Club.

L-R:  Rita Rylander (Deborah's sister), James Duncan, Deborah Thomas and SFVS's Jackie Cramer.

 

JAMES DUNCAN

 When James Duncan first came to SFVS he was homeless.  While staying in a shelter James was fortunate enough to meet someone already enrolled in a program at SFVS, and decided to check things out for himself.  After completing a vocational evaluation, James was enrolled in classes and began the process of turning his life around.  

James admits that when he first began training he was a bit confused because he didn't know anything about computers or the world of office work.  But by the time he completed his courses at SFVS, James felt he had really learned a lot.  He has new skills, improved self-esteem and confidence.  "There are a lot of stresses these days in being homeless," James admits, "but everyone at SFVS has been so open, friendly and kind."  

Now working in the marketing department at State Compensation Insurance Fund through the TEP program, James enjoys helping others with their copying, filing, computing and other general office duties. He also feels his life has a new focus and direction; he's getting back on his feet, and has his own apartment.  And he's also much more confident about his ability to market himself, get through job interviews, find a good job and lead a productive life.  James is proud to tell his story so that others experiencing similar hardships won't feel so alone.

WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY…   

Friends and colleagues are invited to celebrate our 50th anniversary of services to people with disabilities.  Look for announcements of special events to commemorate our longevity and success.  We look forward to working with you for many years to come.

Executive Director’s Update

Profiles in Courage
People often say, “you must really feel good about your work.”  We are proud of our work at San Francisco Vocational Services.  To see why, I urge you to read the selected “success stories” in this issue of the SFVS Reporter.   It is truly a pleasure to work with such winners on a daily basis.  Many of our participants master the daily challenges presented by their disabilities with a degree of personal courage and persistence that is remarkable and humbling.  Their talent, hard work and determination to succeed  make them excellent employees – over 85% of our placed graduates retain employment long term.

You too can share in the delight of working with these outstanding individuals.  Employers are invited to share job opening information, and to recruit qualified candidates through our Job Placement and On-the-Job Training programs.  Our job-ready candidates have been trained in the most current office and computer skills.  Their training curricula are continually updated by the SFVS Business Advisory Council and surveys of  employer needs.  Many SFVS participants have also gained valuable, paid clerical work experience through the Transitional Employment Program at State Compensation Insurance Fund.   Armed with state-of-the-art skills and work experience, our job candidates are ready and eager to work!

THE TRANSITIONAL EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
A “Win-Win” Collaboration of Business and Rehabilitation

The Transitional Employment Program (TEP) is a highly successful “partnership with industry” joining San Francisco Vocational Services, a community-based vocational rehabilitation agency, and State Compensation Insurance Fund, the host employer.  TEP works to the mutual benefit of both organizations.  State Fund benefits from a workforce of well-trained and supervised, productive and efficient employees.  SFVS participants in turn gain valuable clerical skills and paid work experience. 

TEP was established in 1987 to provide on the job training for people with disabilities who are entering or re-entering the work force subsequent to illness, injury or homelessness.  In the last 12 years, over 350 SFVS consumers have gone through TEP training; two-thirds have been placed in long-term regular employment, including more than 80 who have become permanent State Fund employees - many of whom have been successively promoted.  

Continually evolving and innovating, TEP has expanded into 3 program divisions.  TEP I was established in 1987 in Insurance Services to process insurance policy documents.  TEP II was inaugurated in 1990 in the Credit and Collections Department to open mail and process policy payments..  And TEP III opened in 1997 as an in-house "contingent workforce" filling a variety of clerical positions for the Marketing, Safety, Health, and Business Services departments.  Thirty full and part-time temporary TEP employees are supervised by five on-site SFVS staff at State Fund’s headquarters office and at the local district office in San Francisco. 

According to Barbara McGowan, Manager of Credit and Collection Services at State Fund, "The value of the SFVS TEP partnership program becomes most evident in the ability to locate and screen qualified applicants for SCIF jobs.  That takes the burden off our staff and removes the obstacle of time that SCIF employees would have to invest in the hiring process.  Removing those obstacles allows us to be more efficient and concentrate on our other duties.  The challenge for any employer in finding entry-level people in today's job market is to perform an extended and expensive search for appropriate job candidates.  For State Fund, it is really great to have someone who can really take over this task and provide us with employees who are qualified for those entry level positions.'  Ms. McGowan also emphasized , "The TEP employees are valued members of our team.   We have been so impressed by our TEP employees that many have been retained and made into full time, permanent employees.  We at State Fund get tremendous gratification seeing people become productive members of our team and then later growing into permanent employment, either with us or with another employer." 

To help prepare for regular, permanent employment, TEP participants attend a weekly Job Seeking Skills class, taught by SFVS.  Topics covered include: resume and cover letter writing; interviewing and networking; labor market surveys and cold calling; and discussions about job search fears and anxiety.  When they are ready to pursue employment away from SCIF and the security of the TEP program, participants work with the SFVS placement staff to source job leads, perform mock interviews to sharpen their skills, focus their resumes and cover letters and talk about ways to maximize their job search.  

As for the future, Jackie Cramer, Manager of Transitional Employment Programs says she'd like to see the TEP program expand its work with other types of businesses.  "I would like to be able to find different types of entry-level jobs.  Businesses that could benefit from a TEP personnel services contract  include food services, clothing retailers and manufacturers, discount shopping warehouses and department stores.  TEP participants could be hired to do shelf stocking, cashiering, bagging, or providing customer service assistance.”  Interested employers should call Jeffrey Faircloth at (415) 512.9500x307

CANDIDATES FOR HIRE
Below is a sampling of the talent available through the Placement Department at San Francisco Vocational Services.  Job categories and interest areas were chosen by the clients.  If you are interested in meeting one of these qualified job candidates, please contact Erin Coley or any of the Placement Specialists at SFVS, (415) 512 9500.

General Office:  Experienced in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access) & Win95.  Good Data Entry, type 40 wpm, excellent communication skills, follows instructions thoroughly and learns quickly    HL-CS

Clerical - General Office:  Energetic self-starter, detail oriented with exceptional communication and computer skills.  Excellent  telephone and customer service skills; and a good people person.     HL-FD

Customer Service:  Hard working people person, organized & dependable, experienced desk clerk, great typing, computer, phone and general office skills.      HL-PD

File Clerk - Office Assistant:  Efficient, reliable worker.  Works well under pressure.  Familiar with MS Word, Excel, Access.  Accurate record keeping skills, 10-key by touch, typing 40 wpm.       PK-CF

Secretary/Administrative Assistant:  Over 10 years of office work.  Type 75 wpm, MS Word, filing, 10-key, phones, legal transcription, A/P and A/R experience, and arranged office business travel.      PK-CJ

Customer Service:  Eight years experience in high-end retail sales.  Trilingual (English, Spanish, French), with a BA in International Relations.  Computer literate.        PK-RO 

Administrative Assistant:  Over ten years customer service experience.  Skilled at using the Internet; MS Office Professional, 10 key by touch, and types 45 wpm.  Well organized and proven ability to meet deadlines under pressure.  A dependable and reliable person who is friendly and articulate.  (JP-FA). 

Accounting:   Bachelor’s degree in accounting. 1+ year experience in the accounting field.  Experience with G/L, A/R, A/P, Peachtree, Quickbooks, Excel and 10-key.  (JP-BB)

 Lawyer:    Admitted to the California Bar, 1996.  Received American Jurisprudence Award.  Public Interest Law Certificate. 1+ years experience as a Law Clerk and 7+ years as a client advocate and Employee Relations Specialist. (JP-AS)

TEP Program Recognized By Mayor's Committee
San Francisco County Supervisor, Leslie Katz, presents SFVS's Jackie Cramer with an Award for Achievement in Employment from the Mayor's Committee For Employment of Persons With Disabilities.

L-R: Judith Singer, Manager of EEO Programs (SCIF); Supervisor Katz, Jackie Cramer, & Judith Hermann, Assistant Secretary, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education.

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