Print & Go
Determining the Right Supports at the Right Time
There is no standardized time-sequenced plan to follow when supporting youth toward a career trajectory and improved employment and economic outcomes. While Continuing Disability Reviews (CDR), the Annual SSI Review, and the Age 18 Redetermination Review can be calculated and projected consistently, the rate at which an individual progresses toward greater economic independence and employment varies considerably. Therefore, assessing where a youth and their family are in their decision making processes, as well as prescribing services and supports most critical to support decision making at the level they are at is critical. This typically includes five primary stages: 1. Pre-contemplation; 2. Contemplation; 3. Preparation; 4. Action; and, 5. Maintenance.
The table below provides a description of each stage as well as a description of what the typical youth perspective is at each stage, with corresponding action steps you can consider. Keep in mind, some action steps at the later stages of decision-making will require the expertise of a trained and credentialed benefits and work incentives practitioner.
Pre-contemplation (Engagement and Curiosity) | |
Youth/Family Perspective | Your Support |
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Contemplation (Intention and Exploration) | |
Youth/Family Perspective | Your Support |
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Action (Planning and Decision-Making) | |
Youth/Family Perspective | Your Support |
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Action (Modification and Execution) | |
Youth/Family Perspective | Your Support |
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Maintenance (Continuation and Perserverance) | |
Youth/Family Perspective | Your Support |
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Discovery Process Leading Questions
To Discover: | Ask: | |
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Interests |
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Talents |
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Purpose in Life |
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Attributes |
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Resources |
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Priorities |
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Support Planning Assessment
Identifying where a youth is in regard to their interest and how their basic needs are being met can assist you in identifying and prescribing services and supports that may be essential in moving them toward employment and greater economic self-sufficiency. The following is a simply tool you can use to gauge needs across the employment, education, health and well being, and benefits counseling and financial literacy of the youth.
Mark how much you agree with the following statements. | Definitely | Somewhat | Neutral | Not Really | Not at All |
EMPLOYMENT | |||||
I want a job | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
I know what kind of job I want | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
I know what I am good at doing | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
EDUCATION | |||||
I know what helps me learn new things | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
I want to continue my schooling | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
School is important to my career goal | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
HEALTH & WELL BEING | |||||
My family has enough food | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
I feel safe when I am at home | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
I get the help I need with my medicine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
BENEFITS COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY | |||||
I understand how my benefits will be impacted by my working and earning money | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
My family is not reliant on my SSI check | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
I understand the importance of managing my money, creating and following a budget, saving and planning for my future | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Questions for Engaging in Motivational Interviewing (MI)
There are four central processes that contribute to the flow of MI and help move an individual through the change process.
- Engaging- the process of forming a positive working relationship and connection.
- Focusing- identifying a direction for change goals
- Evoking- helping the individual to identify and express reasons for change
- Planning-developing a commitment to change and coming up with an action plan
Questions for Each Stage of the Motivational Interviewing Process | |
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Engaging |
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Focusing |
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Evoking |
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Planning |
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