Employment

Job discovery is the first step in a customized approach to employment. It is best for someone with significant challenges. 

With job discovery, the person will work with an employment specialist. The specialist will help them learn more about themself. They will get to know more about: 

• Things they are good at.
• The supports they need to be successful at work.
• The type of work they are interested in. 

The employment specialist will also help the person learn more about their community. They may learn about the community by: 

• Looking at maps.
• Reading the newspaper or area activity guides.
• Exploring the area.
• Talking to other people. 

Learning about community resources and experiences is community mapping.

Job Exploration is a service people can get to start their employment journey. 

This is a good service for someone if they would like to get a job but have not had experience working. 

The goal of this service is to help the person make choices about work and figure out their path to employment.

Job development will help people find the best job for them. With job development, people will work with an employment specialist to find a job and get hired. The employment specialist will help people:

• Search for a job that they are interested in.
• Submit job applications.
• Write a resume with their skills and experiences that they will share with employers.
• Learn interview skills and schedule interviews with employers.
• Get job offers and be hired at a job.

Job development is a short-term service to help people find a job as quickly as possible.

With job coaching, people will get help learning how to do new job tasks. They will also learn skills to talk with their boss, coworkers, and customers. They will work with a certified employment specialist while they are at work. 

Job coaching is temporary and will go away once people learn their job tasks. People can get more job coaching support if their job tasks change or if they get a new job. 

With job retention, people will get help keeping and growing in their job. They will learn to talk about their feelings at work, like what is going well and what they are having trouble with. They will talk about their work goals and learn different ways they can grow in their job. Talking about how they feel about their job is important. It is a good way to make sure they are happy at their job or if they want to find a new job.

With group supported employment, people will work with an employment specialist. They will also work in a group with other people with disabilities.

As a group, people will get help finding a job. They will get support and training to become more familiar with their new job and learn how to do their job tasks. People will also learn skills to help them talk with their boss, coworkers, and customers. The group support can be an ongoing part of the job.

Personal supports in the workplace helps people with daily living activities at work. The things they will get help with are the same things they would need help with in any other place. 

With this service, a provider will help the person during their normal work hours. The provider will help take care of the person's personal needs, like personal hygiene and eating. The provider will also help support their medical or behavioral needs.