What is Facilitated Discovery? Read more in our series about the services offered through our CareerAbility program.
David S. at Crest Lincoln
While working with CareerAbility’s career development advisor, Sarah Elsdon, individuals begin to identify goals for their future career. During this process, they likely have questions about themselves as employees and of future career pathways.
For instance, someone may wonder how long they can work before needing a break or what type of environment will provide optimal success. During facilitated discovery, job seekers engage in discovery by engaging in career exploration within the workforce to begin to answer those lingering questions.
After Intake, Employment Services will initiate “Facilitated Discovery” which is a person-centered planning process of getting to know an individual before supporting him/her in developing a plan for employment (Callahan, 2001). It is a comprehensive study of one and helps to identify career goals. This is Phase One of CareerAbility’s Employment Services.
Informed by the assessments performed during the intake process, the Business and Community Relations Specialist works with our business partners to develop suitable work sites for Discovery. These work sites offer opportunities to engage in career pathway experiences, with the primary purpose being to gather information in a variety of natural and inclusive settings to pinpoint optimal work skills and conditions for future employment.
During Facilitated Discovery, job seekers are paired with a Career Transition Specialist (CTS), or employment support professional, who offers support as individuals begin to navigate the workplace. CTS perform observations and job coaching. The nature and amount of support will vary from person to person and business to business. These short trials create the opportunity for all parties, including the job seeker, to assess future employment considerations.
Abby P. at Massaro Community Farm
Upon conclusion, observational data and individual feedback from the experience is added to a “Profile”. This profile is provided to the job seeker upon the conclusion of Facilitated Discovery. It can be used to develop an employment plan for customized employment, paid employment, or for general personal and professional development. At the end of Phase One, the Career Development Advisor will review this profile with the job seeker and his/her key stakeholders in a Career Management Team (CMT) meeting. The team will combine the client’s career preferences, conditions for employment (location, supports, hours, etc.), and contributions to an employer (skills, character traits, job tasks, etc.) into an Employment Plan. The Employment Plan will be used in Phase Two of Job Placement services.
We hope these blog posts helped you get to know CareerAbility’s employment services. If you interested in learning more or working with the CareerAbility team, please contact Danielle Chiaraluce at dchiaraluce@chapelhaven.org
