Vocational Services
The Achievement Center Easterseals provides the following employment outcome related services to people with disabilities referred to us by the Vocational Rehabilitation Division of the State of Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services:
Evaluation II– Assessments administered at the Achievement Center used to determine vocational potential and set realistic employment goals and objectives. Results are used in the preparation of a program plan for the consumer to follow while receiving services. Academic, interest, aptitude, dexterity, job search, and physical capacities tests are administered, and results are contained in a report generated for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. This is a 1-day evaluation and transportation is furnished by ACES.
Evaluation III (Extended Evaluation)– If there are questions about a consumer’s potential to be successful at competitive employment that can’t be answered in a 1-day evaluation, they can be referred for a more extensive evaluation. Information gathered can help garner knowledge of things such as transportation reliability, interest in certain types of jobs, desire to work, work attendance, and physical ability to work competitively on a consistent basis. Training, support, and needed accommodations are identified during an EIII. This service can be provided at the Achievement Center where we will provide transportation to training sites, or it can be provided in the community where the consumer will be responsible for their own transportation. Consumers coming to ACES will be scheduled in work areas at ACES and at businesses in the community during the day. Production Training and Janitorial Training are the work options at ACES. Minimum wage is earned for work performed.
Job Readiness Training– Pre-employment and job readiness skills are developed for consumers referred for Job Readiness Training. The intent is to equip consumers with the tools needed to obtain a job, develop job skills, understand what is expected of them on a job, learn work values that are desired by employers, and how to retain employment. Appearance, appropriate dress, socialization, work terminology, and work ethics are also presented. If this service is provided in-house to consumers who are transported to ACES, the consumer will also have a paid work experience at a business in the community and be scheduled in Production Training and Janitorial Training work areas at ACES. At the work site, consumers will have the opportunity to develop acceptable work habits in a community environment. Knowledge, experience, and skills learned can be transferred to other jobs if an employment offer isn’t extended at the training site. Minimum wage is earned for work performed. A Program Manager is assigned to the consumer if they are receiving this service at ACES. The Program Manager councils and guides the consumer as they progress through their program.
Job Development– An Employment Specialist who has knowledge of the local labor market and has developed contacts and relationships with area businesses is assigned to each consumer to assist them with finding competitive employment. An Employment Specialist assists the consumer with resume development, job search assistance/job leads, application completion, transportation to interviews and support during the interview, job readiness/interviewing skills, employer education about disabilities, and assistive technology acquisition.
Job Retention/Follow-Up– After a consumer becomes employed, the Employment Specialist will contact the consumer and employer regularly to make sure everything is going well at the place of employment. If a problem is discovered, the Employment Specialist will intervene and do what is necessary to help the consumer solve the problem and remain employed. Short-term on-the-job training or more extensive job coaching could be utilized if needed.
Job Coaching– A Job Coach trains the consumer at the job site after the consumer has been employed. This training can be for extended amount of time or just for a short period.
On-the-Job Evaluation (OJE)– An evaluation of a consumer’s ability to perform certain job duties and of their readiness for employment. This service isn’t for training on a job, and a job opening doesn’t have to exist. The time frame shouldn’t exceed 80 hours or 3 weeks.
Paid Work Experience (PWE)– This is a training service for consumers who lack work experience and need to improve their awareness of work, need to increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities for competitive employment, or need training in a certain field to increase their chances of employment. The time frame shouldn’t exceed 480 hours or 12 weeks.
Transportation– Transportation to and from ACES is available to consumers while they are participating in center-based Evaluation or Job Readiness Training services. Buses and vans run daily to the counties we serve, and consumers are picked up and dropped off at pre-set locations.
Supported Employment– Supported Employment is a program that enables individuals with significant disabilities to become employed in a competitive integrated work environment. A job is found with the assistance of an Employment Specialist assigned to each consumer. Once on the job, the consumer will be provided with job coaching services for a minimum of 2 weeks to assist the consumer with learning the functions of the job and workplace culture. Job coaching will begin to fade as the consumer learns the job and requires less intervention and assistance. Extended, ongoing supports with agencies, partners, and at the employment site are developed to assist the consumer in maintaining employment. When the consumer can manage the job with no assistance from the Employment Specialist, contact will still be made with the consumer and employer monthly for the life of the job.