Mid Rivers Newsmagazine 11-18-20

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November 18, 2020
MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
Ngozidilenna Wilkins, MD
FAMILY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN
Schedule today: 636.336.1251
@MIDRIVERSNEWS
MIDRIVERSNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
TRADES TRAINING
Unique partnership provides employment
path for people with disabilities
Dr. Wilkins is a boardcertified
Family Medicine
physician. Patients ages
two and above can visit
Dr. Wilkins for primary
care and preventative
health needs, including
annual wellness exams,
well-child exams,
general gynecology and
vaccinations. Dr. Wilkins is experienced
in managing many chronic conditions and
provides a variety of procedures, including
abscess drainage and joint injections for
the shoulder and knee.
BJC Medical Group at St. Peters
in affiliation with
Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital
201 BJC St. Peters Drive, Suite 200
St. Peters, MO 63376
NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS.
Visit bjcmedicalgroup.org for more information on
Ngozidilenna A. Wilkins, MD, and what we are doing
to keep you safe during your visit.
© 2020. BJC Medical Group. All Rights Reserved.
“BJC Medical Group” generally refers to BJC Medical Group of Missouri, BJC Medical Group of Illinois
and BJC Medical Group of Sullivan, all of which are well-established physician organizations.
Skills Center Executive Director Todd Steff (left) and Curriculum Manager Jeremy Sutton (right)
with graduates (from left, center) Caleb Dunk, Billy Owen and Chandler Gibson. (Source: BCI)
By DEANNE LEBLANC
Caleb Dunk, William Owen and Chandler
Gibson are the first tradesmen to graduate
from the Skills Center, a new program
of BCI (Boone Center Inc.).
The men graduated on Sept. 30 and
moved directly into competitive employment
as specially trained, full-time
employees at Permian Plastics in O’Fallon.
The company is an injection molding firm
that produces custom molded products for
the healthcare, biotechnology, electronics/
telecommunications, consumer and industrial
products, and optical industries.
Beginning in January 2019, BCI partnered
with Permian Plastics to provide
vocational training for adults with intellectual
and developmental disabilities. During
their training, Dunk, Owen and Gibson
learned how to assemble and package
products on high-speed production lines.
Training also focused on basic machine
and secondary equipment operation, manufacturing
safety, quality assurance and
working in a team production environment.
In their new positions, the men earn
competitive opportunities, responsibilities,
benefits and pay.
Located in St. Peters, BCI is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit that provides tuition-based training.
Student tuition expenses are typically
covered entirely, or in large part, by scholarships
and supplemental state agency support.
The Skills Center partners with local
companies who share the belief that people
with disabilities can contribute meaningfully
to productive business organizations.
Training programs are created each time a
business partner is established, which provides
a path to competitive employment
for people with disabilities. In turn, each
business partner gains well trained, qualified
and dedicated employees, according
to Skills Center Executive Director Todd
Steff.
According to Steff, the amount of opportunities
and services dwindles drastically
for special needs adults after they graduate
high school. With 20 years of experience
in serving individuals with disabilities,
Steff wanted to create a new service model
for adults that would lessen the steep cliff
they have to climb after high school to be
included in the work force. It is estimated
that 70-80% of disabled adults are unemployed.
At least 50% of those individuals
want employment and are looking for jobs,
but do not have an appropriate path forward.
“We are trying to create the opportunity
they want and the ripple effects of that
opportunity will continue,” Steff said.
“With a job, they are more independent,
have more autonomy and more self worth.
The smiles on their faces really say it all.”
The Skills Center graduated its first class
in 2019 and has since placed 20 adults in
the workforce. Its longterm goal is to place
60 individuals. To achieve that goal , BCI
continually is seeking the partnership of
inclusive-minded businesses who can provide
opportunities for students.
Steff said the rewards for employers go
beyond acquiring capable staff.
“Former graduates will send me pictures
of their first paycheck, that’s how proud
they are of their work. It opens up so many
resources,” he said. “Just seeing them
grow and meet their own goals, that’s such
a fun thing to be a part of.”
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10/28/20 12:33 PM