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Supported Employment

Supported Employment services include activities such as training and additional supports including website orientation, job development, and coordination of any necessary accommodations and/or assistive technology. Supported Employment services consist of three components: career assessment, job finding or development, and job coaching and support. 

Career Assessment is a person-centered, individualized employment assessment used to assist in the identification of possible career options, including self-employment, based on interests and strengths. Career assessment includes discovery activities. The Supported Employment Specialist will: 

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  • Gather and conduct a review of interest, skills, and work or volunteer history;

  • Conduct situational assessments to determine interest and aptitude for a particular type of job;

  • Conduct informational interviews;

  • Identify types of jobs in the community that match interests, strengths, and skills; and,

  • Develop a career assessment report that specifies recommendations regarding needs, interests, strengths, and characteristics of potential work places. The career assessment report will also include specific trainings or skill development needed to achieve the career goal. 

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 Job Finding or Development includes employer outreach and orientation, job searching, job development, resume preparation and interview assistance. Other activities may include: 

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  •  Participation in individual planning for employment;

  • Development of job seeking skills;

  • Development of job skills specific to a job being sought;

  • Job analysis;

  • Consultation with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR);

  • Benefits counseling;

  • Ticket-to-Work Employment Networks; and,

  • Self-employment assistance. 

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Job Coaching and Support may consist of training an individual for a job assignment, periodic follow-up, or ongoing support with the individual and employer. This service also provides support necessary to maintain acceptable job performance and work habits, and may include helping to learn new work assignments, maintain job skills, and achieve performance expectations of the employer. Other activities may include: 

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  • Direct intervention with an employer;

  • Employment-related personal skills instruction;

  • Support to relearn job tasks;

  • Training to assist in using transportation to and from work;

  • Work orientation;

  • Job aide development;

  • Coordination of accommodations;

  • Ensuring assistive technology is utilized; and,

  • Follow along services at work.

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Staff Level: Staff to individual ratio of 1:1 

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Staff Qualifications

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Small Group Employment staff member, Job Developer, and Program Specialists, have specialized training in employment in community-based settings and hold Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) Certification.  This enables the staff to be highly qualified in the Association of People Supporting Employment First (ASPE) nationally recognized first formal set of competencies for employment providers. These competencies cover the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively in the field of employment for people with disabilities. 

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