Helping individuals with cognitive disabilities find the job that's an Optimal Fit for their skills and interests.
What is Supported Employment?
Supported Employment refers to competitive work in integrated settings consistent with the interests, skills, strengths and choice of an individual with a cognitive disability. In other words: Allowing capable, talented people with disabilities to have the same employment opportunities as anyone else!
Supported Employment Program Phases
Special Care & Career Services' Supported Employment program ensures individuals' long-term success in the job of their choosing. The program consists of four distinct phases:
In this phase, the program participant meets the job consultant who will be working on his or her behalf. The job consultant spends time getting to know the individual's interests and skills and then assesses the individual's performance at several types of jobs to determine what kind of position will be a good fit. Through this comprehensive process, the consultant and the program participant determine a direction for the job search.
Phase 2: Job Development
At this point, the job consultant initiates the search for the program participant's ideal job, engaging in a variety of activities, including:
-
Developing the client's resume
-
Helping clients complete job applications
-
Building relationships with business contacts in industries relevant to the job search
-
Training the client on interview skills
-
Setting up and attending interviews with clients
-
Communicating regularly with the client and his or her supports
Once a job consultant has helped facilitate the optimal job, a job trainer steps in to help ensure that the client learns the job and sustains it long term. When a client starts a job, our trainers work a full shift with him or her for several weeks. After the first month, the trainer begins to fade back - working one less hour with the person each day, then two less hours, and so on until the individual is comfortable working on his/her own.
Phase 4: Continued Support
When an individual enters the Continued Support phase, the support usually consists of monthly or bi-monthly training check-ups. Eventually, these checks may fade to every other month and then semi-annual phone calls or visits. But it is important to note that our trainers are always just a phone call away, and continued support lasts indefinitely.
Funding Options for Supported Employment Services
Most of our clients are referred to us by the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). If an individual already has a DARS counselor, he or she can simply ask DARS to refer them to Special Care & Career Services for Supported Employment assistance. Or, they can contact DARS to open a case with the agency and then get a referral to work with us. In addition, individuals can utilize Home & Community Services (HCS) funds to pay for Supported Employment services.
We also have a fee-for-service option that bypasses DARS. In this case, individuals and/or their families pay out of pocket for our services. This option allows individuals to immediately begin receiving services and provides for rapid re-entry into job development if the individual loses the job that we have found for him or her. Our staff is happy to meet with families to discuss all funding options.
Ready to Get Started?
To notify us of your interest in receiving Supported Employment services, or to set up a meeting with our Program Coordinator, complete the brief form below and we will be in touch with you.
