What's Up With Nicole's Jobs?

This week has been bitter sweet. Two of my co-workers/friends that I was filling in for came back to work this week. It was really nice to see them, but I am also sad that I won't be with the kids anymore. For those of you that don't know I have worn a few different hats at an organization called LEAP (Linking Employment Abilities and Potential). LEAP has many programs that work with individuals who have a disability. LEAP's mission statement is consumer-directed to ensure a society of equal opportunity for all persons, regardless of the disability. I started off job coaching a student at NASA, then I was filling in for Erika at Lincoln West High School as she completed her student teaching, then again when she was on maternity leave and also for Becky at Max Hayes High School as she completed her student teaching. It was refreshing to see their face glowing to be back. Working at LEAP has been such a wonderful experience for me. What a blessing! Everyone I worked with is so caring, empathetic, determined and just all around good people. I was filling in as a Program Coordinator which entailed working in the schools with High School students who have disabilities and teaching them job skills and daily living skills. I loved it and am really going to miss the students. This summer, I will job coach the same student I coached last summer, so my co-workers won't get rid of me just yet. These duties will include setting goals with the consumer and supervising him on his job while being sensitive to and accommodating his disability. We are currently trying to secure a placement for him.

I am still also working part time with FAC (Family Adoption Consultants) as an adoption social worker, assessing and preparing families through the journey of international adoptions. Right now the plan is to keep this job when the baby is born.