I am Jakki Chambliss and I am the “new” Transition Services Coordinator at ARCIL, Inc.
I am originally from Columbus, Ohio and have a Bachelor Degree in Social Work, and a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration. I have worked in various capacities in the field of social work including working with children with mental health issues and individuals with developmental & cognitive disabilities in Columbus, Ohio. I have lived in Texas for the past 15 years, continuing to support and advocate for people with disabilities.
Prior to moving to the Austin area, I was employed at Waco ISD in Waco, Texas. ARCIL Inc. was my first place of
employment when I moved to the Austin area. I was employed as the Project Coordinator of the Golden Employment Opportunity Program working with individuals with significant disabilities coordinating the supportive employment project.
I have also worked at ATCMHMR now known as ATCIC, and BTMHMR now known as BTCS, and have made a full circle back to ARCIL Inc. I am the Instructor for the Social Recreation IL class that teaches functional life skills and substitutes for other Instructors when needed. I also provide technical assistance to consumers on the fundraising committee to raise money for activities. I coordinate the IL (independent living) classes and network with community providers, and schools.
Expansion, Extension & New Additions To The IL Functional Life Skills Classes
(select images at right to enlarge them)
We have expanded the IL (independent living) classes at the Austin location. There are new classes that have been added to the class schedule and extended the classroom times for classes listed below;
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology introduces many sorts of assistive technology assessments which are customized by special needs for people with disabilities. It can help to improve the functional capabilities, life, quality and independence of individuals with disabilities. For example, braille printers, pencil grips, text to speech software, special keyboards and mouse, etc.
Music, Mind, & Mood
The class will listen to different kinds of music to relax the mind, & mood by using breathing techniques.
Self Defense
Learn the basis of Taekwondo, a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae (태, 跆) means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon (권). Learn the basic techniques for self-defense.
Cooking Class
The cooking class will learn how to cook healthy foods from different cultures, preparation of meals, oven safety and food sampling weekly from North to South Indian dishes to Hispanic and Latino countries.
The summer cooking class has made: Appetizer -Corn Bhel, Chole (Chick Pea) Curry with Rice , Vegetarian- Indian Palak Paneer with Ricotta and Rice, Strawberry Lassi- Beverage first popular in Punjab India, and Indian Chicken Curry- Dessert Kheer- Rice Pudding.
The fall cooking class will cook Hispanic and Latino dishes; Appetizer- Quesadillas-chicken & cheese, Horchata Rice Milk –Beverage, Side Dish- Refried Beans & Rice, Dessert- Flan.
Social Recreation Class “FUN CITY”
The social recreation class is now known as “Fun City.” The name was unanimously decided on by the consumers that participate in the social recreation class.
The social recreation class has weekly scheduled activities that consumers have requested. Each month a “Duty Officer “ and "Assistant Duty Officer” are elected to develop the agenda for monthly planning meetings, and to find the location and cost for weekly activities selected.
“Fun City” Fundraisers
The consumers in the social recreation class have a fundraising committee that elect officers each month. They have monthly fund raising activities to raise money to reach their goals. They have had a car wash at Faith Lutheran Church, and a raffle, and are planning more fundraisers to pay for transportation to and from activities they participate in.
Every Thursday from 9:00 am to 10:00 Job Club meets in the computer lab. The purpose of Job Club, according to its members, is to help them, “identify your strengths and weaknesses so you can help yourself find a job.” The Job Club currently has nine members. It is facilitated by Consumer Services Coordinator, Emily Wolinsky, who began working with Job Club members in early April.
“I love Job Club because it is a great place to share ideas, learn about ourselves, and learn about others. Every week I am impressed by the teamwork and motivation of the members. It’s an amazing opportunity,” said Ms. Wolinsky.
In Job Club members are learning how to identify and improve upon vocational skills and strengths. Members take tests that identify their strengths or weaknesses. One of the consumers in the job club reports that “I liked taking the different tests,” and “I’ve really liked learning how to improve my people skills.”
The Job Club consumers attended Goodwill’s Career Expo in June. Some of the comments were, “I was impressed. There were a lot of employers there and lots of information. I learned about the Expo because of Job Club,” As the group continues to meet, they will have more opportunities to go to events in the community that are geared towards finding employment.
The Job Club requires all members to attend each week, be on time, and stay organized. Some of their comments are “The agendas keep us organized and help me stay focused on finding out what kind of job is right for me,” “People should know that in order to be in Job Club that you need to come every time and be on time. Being on time is a skill we practice because in the job world, you need to show that you are reliable and you care about what you do.”
The group also has an opportunity to connect with peers who are also eager to find the job that is right for them. Some of their comments are , “I come to learn and I like everyone in Job Club because they are nice and friendly,” “I like being around my friends and even though it’s way too early for me sometimes, Job Club is worth waking up for.”
One consumer who joined Job Club in July, said that getting in wasn’t that difficult. “All I had to do was fill out the application and interview. It was easy for me because I have interviewed before, but even if you haven’t, you’ll be fine.”
If you or anyone you know would like more information about Job Club, please talk to a member or go and see Emily Wolinsky, Consumer Services Coordinator.
I am completing a Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling at UT Austin. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Rehabilitation Services as well as a minor in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University. I am on track to finish my Master's degree at the end of the fall semester (12/2011) and aspire to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
My internship at ARCIL will be my last step prior to graduation. I will starting August 15, 2011 and will finish by December 3, 2011. This is very exciting for me, ARCIL is a great agency! Independent and community living has always been an interest of mine since I began my training, but I have not had the opportunity to learn about these services in detail.
Over the course of my internship, I hope to become more aware of all these services plus deepen my understanding of working with people who have disabilities and their families. I am thrilled about becoming a member of the ARCIL team. I am a reliable, trustworthy, and outgoing individual who learns quickly and knows how to take initiative.