Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Employer Authority

Danielle Skenadore
Human Services Manager


The Wisconsin Transition Conference is an annual opportunity for educators, professionals, families, and transition age youth to come together to share best practices. I have the wonderful opportunity to present “Who’s the Boss: Transition Age Youth and Employer Authority” at the 2015 Wisconsin Transition Conference in the Wisconsin Dells.

What is Employer Authority?
In a self-directed program, participants or members are granted the decision-making authority to recruit, hire, train, and supervise caregivers of their choice. The participant or member is the boss!

Why is Employer Authority so Important?
When we think about transition age youth, most of our discussions focus on community-based employment, independent living, and higher education. But for many, success in these arenas is directly connected to reliable caregiving. 

Young adults who choose to self-direct their supports take on a big responsibility.  Case managers and consultants can provide some guidance, but the real work lies with the individual or family.  

Educators, parents, and professionals must acknowledge the learning curve that exists and encourage young people to develop their Employer Authority skills early on by discussing things like personal care needs, caregiver preferences, activity schedules, and job descriptions. 

I am very excited to work together with young people, families, and educators to identify the tool kit, skills and support that will empower success in a self-directed program. 


Check out the slide below for a sneak peak of my presentation. 



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