Employment Services

1. Employment Exploration Services

Service Description

Employment Exploration Services are individualized services designed to help a person identify, develop, and achieve competitive, integrated employment goals. These services assist the person in exploring career interests, strengths, preferences, skills, abilities, and support needs to make informed decisions about employment opportunities in the community.

Employment Exploration Services focus on helping the person learn about various job options, industries, and work environments through person-centered planning and discovery activities. The service may include career assessments, informational interviews, job shadowing opportunities, workplace tours, and other activities that help the person gain a better understanding of employment possibilities that match their interests and abilities.

Services are provided in a manner that promotes informed choice, self-determination, community inclusion, and meaningful employment outcomes. Employment Exploration Services are intended to support the person in developing an individualized employment goal and determining the steps necessary to pursue competitive, integrated employment consistent with their interests, strengths, and preferences.

Service Components May Include:

• Identifying employment interests, preferences, strengths, and abilities.
• Exploring career paths and employment opportunities.
• Conducting discovery and vocational assessment activities.
• Participating in workplace tours and job shadowing experiences.
• Learning about job duties, workplace expectations, and employment requirements.
• Identifying support needs and accommodations necessary for successful employment.
• Developing an individualized employment goal.
• Coordinating with the person's support team to facilitate employment planning.
• Assisting the person in making informed choices regarding employment options.

Expected Outcomes

• Increased understanding of employment opportunities and career options.
• Identification of personal strengths, interests, and employment preferences.
• Development of realistic employment goals.
• Increased readiness to pursue competitive, integrated employment.
• Enhanced self-advocacy and informed decision-making related to employment.

2. Employment Development Services

Service Overview

Employment Development Services are individualized services that help a person obtain, maintain, and advance in competitive, integrated employment in the community. These services are designed to support individuals in securing paid employment that matches their interests, strengths, preferences, skills, abilities, and support needs.

Employment Development Services focus on activities that assist a person in finding and obtaining a job in an integrated community setting where employees with disabilities work alongside employees without disabilities and receive wages and benefits comparable to those paid to individuals without disabilities performing similar work.

Services are delivered using a person-centered approach and are based on the person's employment goals identified through the support planning process. Employment Development Services help individuals build the skills, confidence, and resources necessary to achieve meaningful employment and increase independence, community participation, and economic self-sufficiency.

Service Components

Employment Development Services may include:

• Identifying and pursuing competitive, integrated employment opportunities.
• Developing an individualized employment plan based on the person's interests and goals.
• Assisting with job searches, job matching, and employer outreach.
• Supporting the completion of employment applications and hiring documentation.
• Developing resumes, employment portfolios, and job search materials.
• Providing interview preparation, coaching, and practice.
• Assisting with job negotiations, including work schedules and job responsibilities.
• Identifying workplace accommodations, assistive technology, and support strategies.
• Coordinating with employers, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), schools, case managers, and other support team members when authorized.
• Assisting with employment-related problem solving and decision-making.
• Supporting career advancement and employment retention planning.

Intended Outcomes

The person will:

• Obtain competitive, integrated employment in the community.
• Increase employment readiness and job-seeking skills.
• Develop greater independence and self-confidence in employment settings.
• Identify employment opportunities that align with personal interests and strengths.
• Increase participation in community employment activities.
• Achieve individualized employment goals identified through person-centered planning.

Person-Centered Approach

Employment Development Services are based on the person's informed choice and employment preferences. Services focus on the individual's strengths, abilities, interests, and desired outcomes while promoting self-determination, independence, and meaningful participation in community life. Supports are tailored to meet the unique needs of each person and are delivered in the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual's employment goals.

3. Employment Support Services

Service Overview

Employment Support Services are individualized services that provide ongoing support and training to assist a person in maintaining and advancing in competitive, integrated employment. These services are designed to help individuals successfully perform job duties, develop workplace skills, and achieve long-term employment stability while working in community employment settings.

Employment Support Services focus on supporting a person after employment has been obtained. Services are tailored to the individual's needs and are intended to promote job retention, increased independence, workplace integration, and career growth. Supports are provided in a manner that maximizes the person's ability to perform job responsibilities while reducing barriers to successful employment.

Employment Support Services are delivered using person-centered practices and are based on the person's employment goals, strengths, preferences, abilities, and identified support needs. Services may be provided directly to the person, in collaboration with employers, and in coordination with other members of the person's support team as authorized.

Service Components

Employment Support Services may include:

• Providing individualized job coaching and on-the-job training.
• Assisting the person in learning and performing job duties and workplace tasks.
• Supporting the development of workplace communication and interpersonal skills.
• Assisting with understanding employer expectations, workplace policies, and job responsibilities.
• Teaching strategies to improve work performance, productivity, and independence.
• Supporting the use of workplace accommodations, assistive technology, and adaptive equipment.
• Assisting with problem-solving related to employment challenges.
• Supporting workplace integration and natural supports within the employment setting.
• Coordinating with employers regarding job performance and support needs, when authorized.
• Assisting with employment retention and career advancement planning.
• Supporting transportation planning related to employment, when applicable.
• Monitoring employment progress and adjusting support strategies as needed.

Intended Outcomes

The person will:

• Maintain competitive, integrated employment.
• Increase independence and confidence in the workplace.
• Improve job performance and productivity.
• Develop positive relationships with supervisors and coworkers.
• Increase workplace skills and employment stability.
• Utilize natural supports and workplace resources effectively.
• Advance toward individual employment and career goals.
• Experience meaningful participation in community employment settings.

Person-Centered Approach

Employment Support Services are based on the person's informed choice and desired employment outcomes. Supports are individualized to meet the person's unique needs and are provided in a manner that promotes dignity, respect, self-determination, community inclusion, and maximum independence. Services emphasize skill development and the use of natural workplace supports to foster long-term employment success.