Creative job development:
Sarah and Service Alternatives

CONTRIBUTED BY LAKE STEVENS SCHOOL DISTRICT Sarah is a shining example of dedication. Sarah Scriver graduated from the Lake Stevens School District with a great job as an office assistant at the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Clinic.

“We are so excited, pleased, and happy about this – the process blossomed into a bouquet of roses!” Scriver’s mother Kelly said.

Scriver’s teacher Karl Stern was instrumental in getting the process going. Scriver was in the Life Skills program when it moved out of her high school into the Boys and Girls Club to focus on community life and employment skills.

“We were hesitant,” admits her mother. “The more she went to the Club, the more her teacher Karl pushed social and communication skills, and employment. Sarah was then accepted into Snohomish County Developmental Disability’s Jobs by 21 program, and we thought, ‘Yah right!’”

Scriver and her family interviewed employment vendors, chose to work with Service Alternatives, and immediately Tracy Hollingsworth (of Service Alternatives) started working with Scriver looking for a good job fit. Because of Tracy’s perseverance and creativity, She soon had two job offers. She chose the job at the clinic, and started in May. Hollingsworth had been unable to get an interview with the busy clinic, and so she made a personal medical appointment to get in the door!

After seeing Scriver’s impressive resume portfolio developed by her teacher Stern, Dr. Michaelson said he would like to participate in the program. Hollingsworth worked with the clinic to create a customized job for Scriver three days a week, two hours a day, which will increase as her skills increase. She assembles new client packets, addresses envelopes, straightens the office and magazines, puts together mailings, does some office deliveries, and shreds documents. The clinic appointed a mentor, Stephanie, and is adding more tasks.

“They all love her, and this is a positive, positive, thing. Sarah is very focused on details and getting her tasks done right, and she is happy doing them,” her mother said. “This is a Cinderella Story."

Update: The surgery clinic has now hired Service Alternatives to train all its employees on how to work effectively with people with disabilities.
For more than 90 stories statewide (and growing), please visit our People Working website: www.peopleworking.wikispaces.com.

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