Supported Employment Services
Job Development
DesertArc offers community employment services to persons with developmental disabilities regardless of the type of disability. The Supported Employment Division assumes that all people, regardless of disability, are capable of productive, meaningful work in any setting if they are given the necessary support, which is critical to job success and personal fulfillment. DesertArc provides all clients options and opportunities to meet their stated career goals.
Throughout the Job Development process, DesertArc encourages and promotes full involvement of each client in developing tailored, integrated services through a team approach. Services are based on each person’s needs, strengths, abilities, preferences and goals. DesertArc strives to match its clients’ choices with the employment needs/trends of local businesses and organizations.
The Job Developer assists the employer to pursue the financial benefits available when hiring a person with a disability. The Job Developer maintains close contact with the Internal Revenue Service Work Opportunity Tax Credit program representative for updates and changes to the current WOTC program.
Program Goals/Projects
Community Activity Support Program
The Supported Employment Program has developed on-site vocational training curriculum referred to as the Community Activity Support Program (CASP). CASP is designed to enhance a client’s work experience and provide individuals with skills and goals to help them seek, obtain, and maintain independence within the community. Training is provided in a classroom setting and is based on individual levels and needs of the client. Some examples of topics that are included in the curriculum are:
Through the assistance of grants, CASP also includes a computer training component. Training will include basic computer functions, data entry, literacy, and will be used to supplement and reinforce classroom training.
Currently, 36 clients participate in CASP assisted by the Supported Employment Program Manager, Case Managers, and the Job Developer.
Enclave Program
An Enclave group consists of three or four clients placed in a work setting at a business or organization within the community. DesertArc provides one full-time Job Coach (Instructor) to provide training, support, and assist with performing job duties on a daily basis. Clients participating in the Enclave Program have demonstrated their ability to work independently with minimal to moderate support of the Job Coach, while also maintaining appropriate social and interpersonal skills with only minor redirection required from the Job Coach.
Service fees to pay staff and ancillary costs for this program are provided through the Department of Rehabilitation and Inland Regional Center. In addition, DesertArc receives payments from the business/organization contracting the Enclave services. DesertArc is the actual employer, not the business itself, so it covers the costs associated with Social Security, workers compensation, unemployment, etc., as well as the clients’ wages. In many employment settings, clients are required to pass a variety of pre-employment screenings (as with all other employees at the site) which may include drug screens, background checks, fingerprinting, and successful completion of a variety of staff training courses. In addition, those working in food service may be required to pass the Food Handler’s Certificate, issued by the Department of Environmental Health. In each case, the client is assisted by the Supported Employment Program staff in meeting each of these requirements.
Training opportunities in this program include maintenance, food service, housekeeping, kitchen stewarding, custodial work, car lot attendant, small assembly, packaging, retail services and more.
Current Enclave Locations:
There are currently 44 clients participating in this program with the support of 14 Job Coaches.
Program Goals:
Individual Placement Program
Individual Placement is a varied program of community integration in the vocational setting where the Supported Employment Program Manager and Job Developer facilitate the placement of clients based on personal choice, goals and job skills. The process begins with an intake and assessment of the client, followed by the creation of a job development plan to assist the client in reaching his/her ultimate goal of independence.
An ancillary program within the Individual Placement program is the Situational Assessment Program. DesertArc staff accompanies clients to businesses where they perform the essential functions of a real job in that particular environment for ten days. Throughout the assessment, marketable skills as well as potential barriers are identified and are reported to the Department of Rehabilitation. This assessment includes a recommendation for placement options, which may include Individual Placement Program, Enclave Program or placement within a Work Activity Program conducted at DesertArc facilities or in the community under the direction of DesertArc supervisors. If it is determined that any client barriers to employment are potentially resolved through Personal Vocational Social Adjustment (PVSA) training, DesertArc, with the support of a Behavioral Specialist, will contract with the Department of Rehabilitation to perform PVSA training during the job development process. Some examples of the PVSA curriculum are time management, safety, appropriate socialization, and mobility training.
Current Clients Served: Currently, there are 25+ fulltime clients in the field with jobs in the community. The majority of clients have been in the program for several years and still have goals they are working on achieving. Any problems that arise are immediately reported to the Supported Employment Program Manager, and together with the client, Job Coach, and Employer, a resolution is found to overcome the identified obstacle(s).
Program Goals:
