Creating Supported Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities
Columbus Supported Employment
What is Supported Employment?
Columbus Community Center’s Supported Employment Program assists people with disabilities to find meaningful employment in local communities. Participants are integrated into community employment settings with nondisabled workers as part of the process of discovering their gifts and talents. Employment specialists seek to match each client with employment that best matches their interests, skills and abilities.
How We Can Assist?
Assess strengths, interests, and employment goals. Conduct a thorough assessment. Assist in preparing resumes. Strengthen interviewing skills. Partner in seeking suitable employment. Assist in developing workplace accommodations. Coach employees on the job. Guide and support families and employers regarding their role in maintaining employment. Continue to work with the client and the employer after finding a job to ensure long-term success for all involved.
WinCo WInS Program
WinCo WInS (Workforce Inclusion Success) is a 9-week Business Customized Training (BCT) Program run in partnership with Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR), Columbus Community Center, and WinCo Foods.
The Process
Job Placement
Staff will assist the individual in the transition their new competitive, integrated employment position. This will include supports for onboarding, training, development of natural supports on the job site, and putting needed accommodations in place.
Maintaining Employment
Individuals will work with a certified Job Coach to learn to perform job tasks to the employer’s specifications, and to learn the interpersonal skills necessary to be successful on the job. They will be supported in cultivating natural supports on their job site, and learn appropriate professional boundaries. The Job Coach will support the individual until they reach successful employment status.
Assessment
A Work Strategy Assessment will be conducted by an ACRE-certified specialist in an integrated setting. Staff will conduct the assessment in a setting with the individual’s needs, and informed choices in mind. The assessments will include reports of the individual’s strengths, needed supports, accommodations that may need to be put in place, as well as job goals.
Job Development
Building a strong resume’ that will showcase the individual’s strengths, as well as neighborhood mapping, filling out applications, mock interviews, working with employers to set up nontraditional interviews, supporting the individual in interviews, and follow up to applications submitted to employers.
Success Story
Cierra Smith has demonstrated exceptional work skills and a positive impact in her workplace. Her commitment to her job at WinCo Foods is valued not only by her employer but by her staff as well. Her exemplary work ethic and positive attitude have made her stand out in the WinCo WInS program. Cierra’s supervisors and co-workers value her daily contributions to the success of their department, and see her making tremendous growth within the company.
Testimonial
MOD Pizza
What a great fit! We are so grateful to MOD Pizza and their willingness to support folks like our son Collin. The employees there have gone above and beyond in their sensitivity and acceptance. My wife and I have been so impressed and pleased. We are rather (very) protective of Collin and on the days he works I will always ask him if he’s excited to work today.
– Perry Van Schelt
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