EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS OVERVIEW
OUTLINE OF SERVICES
1. Federal Contracts Program
Our
flagship employment option, the Federal Contracts Program provides long
term, well paying jobs providing services to the US Navy in areas such as
Food Services, Janitorial Services, Laundry Services and Housekeeping
Services. These jobs are
performed in fully integrated workplaces with emphasis on superior
provision of service to the Navy. Individuals
employed in this program have the opportunity to earn meaningful wages and
fringe benefits such as health insurance and pension contributions as well
as paid holiday, vacation and sick days while at the same time providing
necessary, valuable services to the Navy.
Jobs on our contracts with the Navy are made possible under the
Javits Wagner O’Day Act (JWOD), a federal law that mandates that these
contracts be set aside for performance by our Agency, in conjunction with
2.
Community Placement Program
Recognizing that some individuals are best served in smaller, more community oriented settings, the Community Placement Program is designed to meet the needs of those individuals. The emphasis in this program is on developing personalized employment opportunities utilizing Supported Employment techniques to ensure quality outcomes. Various models such as enclave, mobile crew and individual placement are utilized with the primary responsibility for orientation, training and ongoing supports provided by a Job Coach. The ultimate goal of this program is to assist the individual to achieve the greatest degree of employment independence possible.
3. Workshop Program
The Workshop Program is based on the traditional employment model of piecework performed in a self- contained setting. Consequently, this program tends to be less structured with work available at the pace and frequency that each individual desires or is able to maintain. Despite the lack of rigid production quotas, each individual has the opportunity to perform work that has value and which fosters a sense of dignity and self- respect. This option is most desirable for those individuals who may depend on access in the workplace to other Agency provided services that may not be as available in a community based employment setting.
COMMUNITY
PLACEMENT PROGRAM
The
Purpose of the Community Placement Program is to assist the individual to
become a productive employee in a community based workplace. Services are
provided in the areas of: Vocational Evaluations, Job Searching, Job site
Training & Support, On-Site Evaluations, Transportation and Job
Coaching, if needed. When an
individual is referred for employment, whether through the local School
Departments, the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS), the Division of
Developmental Disabilities (DDD) or another agency, the Employment
Specialist Team assists in the process from filling out applications
through the interview and hiring process.
Once
a job has been located that is right for the individual the Employment
Specialist Team provides assistance and training as necessary, until the
requirements of the job have been mastered.
The Employment Specialist/Job Coach will remain available on an
“on-call” basis, providing supports as needed.
The ultimate goal of community placement is competitive employment.
We have placed individuals in a number of community based jobs including,
among others: Supermarket Associate, Pet Groomer, Laundry Attendant,
Pharmacy Associate, Health Club Housekeeper and Catering Associate, to
name a few.
Any individual who qualifies for services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) or the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) is eligible for Supported Employment Services at the James L. Maher Center. Individuals who are eligible to receive services from these agencies are provided funding to assist them with their employment goals. Individuals may contact the Employment Services Director themselves or be referred by the Office of Rehabilitation Services, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, Local School Systems, Parents/Guardians and Other Service Providers.