Customized Employment Success Story - Jason

Abagail Liu is a 20 year old graduate of Montgomery County Public Schools. Since she left school Abby struggled to find the right job that matched her interests, skills, and support needs. She wanted a job that was low pressure, interesting, supportive, not customer-focused, in a small environment with a slow consistent pace, and preferably full-time with benefits.

She was referred to Montgomery Works by St. Luke's House so that she could utilize One Stop services to support her career search (See Spotlight on MCEP Partner below). Through the One Stop Abby linked up with a MCEP Career Specialist who helped her achieve her career goals through a customized job.

The job she obtained was based on negotiations with the General Counsel's Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). Representatives from this office worked with Abagail and an MCEP Career Specialist to identify a customized file clerk position in the docket room. After a working interview to assess her ability to perform the job duties and her comfort level with the work environment, Abby was hired for a part-time position with benefits.

The MCEP Career Specialist helped to initially support and orient Abby on the job and facilitated ongoing support from St. Luke's House. After identifying more tasks that Abby was able to perform, she recently had her job responsibilities expanded and this customized position transitioned into a full-time position with a complete benefits package.

This example of customized employment in action is a clear illustration of partnership at work. Not only were the employer's needs met, but expectations were exceeded which paved the way for the creation of new opportunities. Because of the positive experience with Abby, MCEP and St. Luke's House, the DVA is now considering creating yet another file clerk position.

Through this collaboration, Abby is successfully employed in a job that she finds challenging and satisfying with an employer who is pleased to have the operational needs of the office met with an employee who does quality work. In addition, the partnership is helping St. Luke's House meet its employment placement goals and helping the One Stop address its performance standards. A win-win-win-win situation!