BRAVO Program at ICM Offers Innovative Job Skills Training at Three Special Stores
As a parent, you undoubtedly wonder about your child’s future and how you can prepare them to thrive in the world. It’s a daunting task and a constant worry, especially for parents of children with special needs. That’s why the recently-launched training programs at ICM Inc. are a thrilling new resource for Arkansas’ special needs community.
ICM (or, Independent Case Management), a nonprofit organization that provides services to Arkansans with disabilities, has a history that stretches back to the 1980s; through Medicaid, they provide clients with care coordination, therapeutic recreation, supported employment, supported living, personal care and much more. But in January 2015, ICM launched its B.R.A.V.O. (Bridging Recreational and Vocational Opportunities) program, a combination of day programs and workshops, social and recreational outings, and skill-building internships.
“The B.R.A.V.O. program is all about making your own choices,” says Robin Green, Marketing and Communications Director at ICM Inc. “The clients have an opportunity to choose what they want to do, no matter their ability. So much of their life is already chosen for them, so they enjoy taking advantage of these choices.”
Programs take place in a beautifully remodeled space in west Little Rock, which includes a kitchen, computer lab and recreational space. During the day-support program, attendees participate in classes on art, money management, health and fitness, cooking and life skills. The program includes off-site activities to encourage social interactions, such as trips to the theater, park, library, museums, bowling alley and much more.
Also on-site are three special stores that are open to the public—Biscuits, Brushes and Bamboo. Clients can choose to participate in internships and apply to work in one of the shops. “You can do just the internship or just the day-support piece. There’s nothing really like that out there,” explains Josh Wilson, ICM’s Director of Operations. “There’s supported employment, but there aren’t solid internships in a real store or business that’s just like any other.”
The three distinct stores combine to create a shopping destination: Biscuits is a bakery for pet treats; Bamboo is a gift and home decor store; and Brushes is an art gallery and studio. Both Biscuits and Bamboo are currently open to the public for shopping. In fact, bakers even produce pet treats in the on-site bakery—on baking days, customers can peer through the windows to take a peek as they whip up different flavored treats, from chicken to peanut butter-pumpkin. Brushes is scheduled for an opening date in late summer 2015. Some of the art in the gallery will be made on-site in an adjacent art studio, with much of the proceeds going back to the artists.
Green says clients are given the choice of store they work in. The workers earn minimum wage or higher as they build skills and interact with customers. They’ll learn the ins and outs of retail—including all of the small, but important details like unlocking the door at opening time, turning on the lights and cleaning up at the end of the day. They can also learn to make transactions, count change, re-stock shelves, bake pet treats and more.
Again, a priority is placed on individual choices and clients help to set their own goals in the internships: “Maybe the goal is to learn how to count change,” Green says. They work on the skill gradually, “and once they have a handle on that, we go to the next goal—maybe handling one transaction alone per day.” In this manner, the internships help to build clients’ resumes.
The ultimate goal is to help each individual apply for outside jobs that utilize their new skills. “And they are ready to work—they’re excited and ask every day,” says Green. “They want to be put to work!”
Applications to the B.R.A.V.O. program are currently being accepted; for more information and criteria, visit ICM-Inc.org. You can also visit the ICM Inc. stores at 1525 Merrill Drive in Little Rock from noon-6 p.m. Tue.-Sat.
The ICM Impact
David Alverson is a client at ICM Inc. and one of the first who signed up for the B.R.A.V.O. program. He lives in Conway with his 11-year-old cat, Satchel Paige—a loyal companion who is always waiting for him when he comes home at the end of the day. With help from S&A Transportation, David commutes to Little Rock to spend his days at ICM Inc. As an animal lover, David has enjoyed the opportunity to assist in baking and packaging the dog treats in the Biscuits bakery. Already, he has become a big believer in the program; here’s what he had to say about his experience so far:
What did you do before coming to ICM?
I was a safety leader and team leader at UCA. I was on the picnic staff and worked in customer service.
How did you find out about the B.R.A.V.O. program?
I heard about it through the web and I applied online. I was the first or second person to be involved.
What is your favorite thing about the program?
I would have to say the friendly atmosphere and the people. It’s no stress, and you get to do what you want according to the schedule. Even though we just started the program, we are off and running in a big way. There’s not a day that we don’t have something going on—different activities, or going to festivals.
As an animal lover, do you enjoy working at Biscuits?
I’m not involved in the stores, but I assist in the baking and I get to be around the dogs when they come in, and I get to give them a treat or two. They get as much out of it as I do! Just to see a smile on the people’s faces makes the day what it needs to be.
How would you describe ICM?
It’s well laid-back, the people are friendly and they know your name. It’s a home away from home. And, you can do just about anything—it’s an independent company that lets you do what you choose. That’s why we’re called Independent Case Management!