Be Your Best Self

Project name - Be Your Best Self

Donor - World Jewish Relief

Duration - from 2017 - to date

This program has two directions - welfare and supportive employment

 

Welfare Direction

 

The target group of the welfare program is 39 users of the day center aged 18+ and their families.

The purpose of the program is to increase the degree of independence of persons with disabilities, their socialization in society, promotion of education and employment.

Objectives of the program:

Engaging in a home empowerment program and developing skills to support independent living
Public awareness in the direction of limited abilities - holding meetings in kindergartens, schools and universities,
Day center users socialize by meeting famous people, and attending museums, theaters, cinemas, picnics, sporting events, and programs.
Assistance in obtaining a document confirming general education/involvement in the process of professionalization / Employment.

Program activities:

Developing independent living skills - preparing breakfast/dinner, using the washing machine, going shopping, using public transport
Home Empowerment Program - Development of independent living skills in the home space by a home empowerment specialist.
Association "Anika" in cooperation with the Public Nursing College of the Medical University named after David Tvildian implemented the project "Communication skills and related challenges in patients with disabilities and autistic spectrum", which was financed by the Professional Skills Agency. Within the framework of the project, a guide was prepared, which includes the forms and methods of proper communication with disabled people. In the future, the guide will be available to other students of the medical field, which will help to create services for people with disabilities that are tailored to them and free from stereotypes.
Association "Anika" held an informational meeting with the students of the Caucasus University in terms of raising awareness. Students received information about types of disabilities and correct communication with disabled people. Meetings will continue with small groups of individual faculty of the university and include the provision of information that will be useful depending on the specifics of their future specialty.
A meeting was also held with the representatives of the Central Election Commission. At the meeting, the guide was discussed, which was created regarding the participation in the elections of the persons receiving support. At the meeting, training was planned, through which day center users and their parents will be provided with detailed information about the election process. In addition to the theoretical material, the training participants will practically go through the voting procedure through the new devices used in the elections. The mentioned training will contribute to the effective involvement of day center users in the election process.
The relationship with kindergartens continues successfully. It is worth noting the positive feedback of kindergarten teachers regarding the held meetings. Based on the interests of teachers and challenges identified in kindergartens, in addition to general informational meetings, meetings are held in more specific areas with the involvement of occupational therapists and psychologists.
Meetings with the parents of the beneficiaries also continue. A home improvement specialist gave a presentation on "The Simple Solution", they received information on simple ways to perform activities necessary for independent living, which will help to provide proper and more effective support to their children in terms of developing independent living skills. Viral videos recorded by our participants were also shown at the meeting.

Supported Employment direction

The goals of the supportive employment program direction are:

● Preparation of participants needed for employment in the open labor market

through skill development;

● Support participants in the search for long-term and remunerative work;

● Employment and continuing support at the place of employment;

● Employer support and awareness raising.

activities

After joining the program, individual work begins with each participant, which consists of stages. Supportive employment specialists begin working with the participant, conduct an initial assessment, and create an action plan. With appropriate tools, work is done in the direction of professional orientation. Supportive Employment Specialists provide training in employment skills development, including resume preparation, interview techniques, effective communication and labor rights. For those who need and desire professional education, the program helps them plan their career and choose a suitable profession, try it, and then enroll in a vocational school.

The supported employment program also has a psychotherapist service, which is used by all program participants who are eligible for this service.

 

The program is constantly developing and focused on innovations that will improve the work process and increase the number of employed disabled people. For this, Association Anika's recruitment team plans to find more recruiting companies and successfully cooperate with them. Also, active cooperation with state structures, educational institutions, and organizations working in the field to share experience.

The number of companies that turn to Anika themselves and express their desire to employ a disabled person, or need advice/consultation in this direction, is also increasing. The program team is constantly involved in all activities related to the employment of persons with disabilities.