# Transition to Adulthood & Employment — The Farmer's House

Amy Allison is the executive director of The Farmer's House. She will share their approach for Early Work Experience, Employment Services, Community Integration and Social Enrichment Programs.  Amy served at the [Down Syndrome Guild](https://kcdsi.org/about-us/) from 2003 to 2021 including as Executive Director and COO. She is now Executive Director of [The Farmer's House](https://thefarmershouse.org/). — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

**About The Farmer's House:**

- Program in Missouri that works with children and adults with IDD to prepare them for the workforce — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- Started by 2 sets of parents for their children with IDD — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- On a farm everyone has a job and responsibility — that's the philosophy — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- Strives to place adults with IDD in the general workforce with **meaningful employment** where they can contribute, not be "mascots" — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- Their "Early Work Experience" program begins in the **6th grade** — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- They operate a shop in Weston for training and a catering service for parties up to 50 — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- Placements include Home Depot, Panera, Montessori Schools, etc. — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- They employ a "Benefits Specialist" to help clients keep necessary services — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

**Key Resources:**

- [PASS - Plan to Achieve Self Support](https://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.htm) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- Missouri and Kansas are both [Employment First States](https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/employment-first) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- [Dignity of Risk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dignity_of_risk) — let our children make mistakes while consequences are minor — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

**The "Four F's of Disability Employment" to combat:**

- Food (prep and service), Filth (cleaning), Flowers (landscaping), Factories (assembly) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- Build relationships NOW with companies in fields your child shows interest — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

**How to Prepare Your Child:**

- Give them a job/chore in the house. **Never do it for them.** Dinner doesn't start until the table is set. — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- Volunteer WITH your children — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- Keep them active in community — sports, jobs, volunteering — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- In middle school push for "transition" planning in IEP meetings — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- **At age 16:** Get an IQ test through the school (free before 18, $2,500 after). Required within 2 years for guardianship. — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

**Programs in Kansas & Johnson County:**

- [YMCA Challenger](https://kansascityymca.org/programs/adaptive-challenger) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- [Special Olympics Kansas](https://soks.org/) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- [Johnson County Developmental Supports](https://www.jocogov.org/department/developmental-supports) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- [Willow Tree Supports](https://www.willowtreesupports.com/) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- [Goodlife Innovations](https://mygoodlife.org/) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- [Easter Seals Midwest](https://www.easterseals.com/) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- [Lakemary Center](https://lakemary.org/) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

- [Sherwood Center](https://sherwoodcenter.org/programs/) — *[Amy Allison, Jul 2024](/sessions/20240721_Amy_Allison_Farmers_House/notes.md)*

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