Integrated Employment

Integrated Employment:

This is a program that assists people with significant disabilities become and remain successfully and competitively employed in integrated workplace settings. 

Participant Driven
An Integrated Employment Specialist works with participants on an individual basis to:
• assess and assist in discovering their abilities, goals, and starting points.
• Match their needs, wants, and abilities with local employers.
• Provides on-the-job and community training and assistance.
• Provide long-term support for as long as it is needed by the employee or employer.

Employer Responsive
The Integrated Employment Specialist will:
• Provide you, the employer, with prescreened applicants that posses skills that match the job requirements.
• Assist with on-site training.
• Provides quality follow-up and consultation services.
• Share information about available tax credits.

Services include:

Integrated Employment Assessment 
Assist people in identifying their job skills, interests, and support needs.  Assessments include opportunities to tour businesses and try different jobs.  Assessments assist individuals in determining their skills, commitment, and stamina for a job in their area of interest or offer individuals the opportunity to sample several jobs.
 
Job Development Services 
The Integrated Employment Specialist meets with employers on an ongoing basis to discuss the business’s needs and introduces them to people who could meet their needs.   In some cases, employers will carve out a job to match the needs and abilities of the individual.  The Integrated Employment Specialist also works with employers to establish natural supports and implement site modifications when necessary.
 
Job Coaching Services and Long-term Support
Our job coaches serve as advocates in the workplace.  Their goal is to provide a worker with as much support as is needed in the early stages of a new job and then gradually fade as the worker gains skills and confidence.  The job coach provides necessary cues, prompts, and feedback in order for workers to learn their job tasks to the best of their ability.  The job coach also works with employers and co-workers to develop support systems within the workplace for the individual.  Many times, by helping an employee develop friendships on the job, natural supports follow.