Employment Readiness Program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Individuals with Developmental Disabilities have one of the lowest employment rates of all disability types. Many individuals have participated in programs that are considered segregated from individuals who do not have a disability. In addition, most have not been exposed to work in businesses, do not understand areas that could lead to their success in community employment and have not always been valued for their contributions or abilities. The Employment Readiness Program combines many traditional programs into an intensive six month to one year process to help the individual gain employment in the community where they can earn minimum wage or more. Those enrolled in the program participate in job fairs, learn skills to help them get a job, learn what it means to work, participate in assessments to see what jobs might interest them and what jobs might match their skills. These skills might include computer skills, work stamina and how to get along with supervisors in the work environment. In the one and one half years since starting this program, eight individuals have been placed in jobs within the community. The goal of the program is to help at least five individuals per year achieve their goal.