Community Employment

Community Employment Services offer an employment opportunities and experiences in community settings for individuals with disabilities. The services are person-centered and include a personalized vocational plan with emphasis on the least restrictive support and environment. The process starts by identifying initial interest, vocational assets/limitations and the needed supports to maximize a positive experience. The individualized vocational plan is then developed. The individualized plan is dynamic and is modified if needed throughout the process.

The individualized employment plan can include a wide array of supports and services depending on the needs identified. Following is a list of supports and services that can be part of the plan:

Job Shadowing, Site Tours and Volunteer Opportunities:

All of these activities are to provide individuals, which may not be ready for a job; with non-paid community experiences to be better informed them about community employment settings. They can engage in or observe different type of vocational activities and get a hands-on experience. The experience can develop their interest and motivation which leads to better informed choice.

Enclave and Mobile Work Crews:

Enclave and Mobile Work Crews offer paid work opportunities to gain new employment experiences in community settings with significant support for continued growth in job-readiness. The on-going support is consistent to maintain a positive and productive experience. The Enclave and Mobile Work Crew model usually includes a group of 2 or more individuals with an on-site agency staff to provide support and supervision. The jobs are contracted out and generally individuals are paid by the supporting agency.

RAM

Through the Rest Area Maintenance (RAM) Program, we provide custodial care and landscape maintenance 365 days a year at a number of Walworth and Rock County state-owned roadside rest areas. Our crews also maintain two state-operated truck scales in Dane County. The RAM Program offers many opportunities for individuals to explore and be trained on building and ground maintenance work in a community setting.

Vocational Assessment:

Vocational Assessment is an individualized and comprehensive analysis and report of an individual’s interest, vocational assets/limitations, and barriers to employment, work history, and transferable skills. It also includes recommendations for support and services needed to become ready for employment or to obtain employment.

Supported Employment and Direct Placement:

Supported Employment and Direct Placement are services to assist people, who are ready for a job, obtain employment in a community setting. Analysis of the individual, job market, and job setting are a reviewed to come up with an employment plan that yields the best match. The plan includes the amount of support that will be needed to obtain and maintain a successful work experience. The details of the plan can also include but are not limited to developing a simulated application or resume, practicing interviewing skills, and/or additional support on the job to help learn the job. Supported Employment generally will result in a longer term commitment to on-going support than Direct Placement. The employee/employer relationship is fostered and developed by the supporting agency, however, the individualized plan is always to transfer the ‘agency” support over to the employer that will result in the least restrictive setting.