EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
 

Goodwill is more than just retail stores. Goodwill serves and empowers people with disabilities and other barriers to employment through a variety of programs that provide the job training and skills development needed to compete in the world of work.  There are a number of barriers that people face when looking for a job. Some are minor, but other obstacles, such as a history of unemployment or a physical, mental or emotional disability can be difficult to overcome. Goodwill’s programs, which include vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, community employment services and job readiness training, offer support and encouragement to clients throughout the process of training for and looking for a job. 

 

If you think you might benefit from the services offered at Goodwill, contact Hilary Strauss, Vocational Rehabilitation Director at 440-964-3565.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAMMING

Vocational rehabilitation programming is designed to provide guidance, information, training for persons with disabilities who wish to pursue either education or work as a vocational goal. This training focuses on maintaining personal stability through the therapeutic power of work. Job seeking and maintenance, money management, self care, use of leisure time, stress management, and improving health care skills are areas that may be explored.

 

When a person enters Vocational Rehabilitation an individualized service plan is developed and jointly agreed upon by the participant, referring counselors / therapist, and Goodwill rehabilitation providers. The plan will address all barriers to reaching the goal and will provide guidance in removing those barriers.  Goodwill's involvement in goal areas relates directly to the area of employment. Specific work-related goals focus on adapting individuals adapt to a work environment.

 

As the participant gains confidence, skill, and ability to manage symptoms, he or she will be encouraged to work toward a daily schedule and production capacity equivalent to a full work day. For those unable to tolerate a full work day or have other needs, partial day program services and support may be designed to meet their needs.

 

 WORK EVALUATION/VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT is a comprehensive vocational appraisal typically lasting 3-5 days, which is used in determining abilities and aptitudes transferable to job situations.  This service answers questions such as: Can I work?  How can I be a better worker?  What kind of jobs do I do best?  What are my present job skills, work habits, problems and special strengths? Definitive testing and vocational counseling will provide these answers.

 

New innovative techniques and technology are utilized to evaluate and make appropriate job matches based on the individual’s abilities and interests and coordinated with local labor market needs.  The evaluation unit is designed to serve individuals who need to make vocational changes in their lives as well as individuals with severe disability.

 

EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (EDS) is a 20 day program which combines a portion of the day devoted to classroom topics having a bearing on overall life/job success, with actual applied work within the Goodwill facility.  It follows the model of “earn while you learn” allowing the participants to practice skills taught in class within the actual work environment.

 

EDS is targeted toward those individuals lacking foundational self-esteem or personal awareness, social skills, work skills, work habits, work experience, and/or a definite career goal.  This program is often used as a precursor to Work Adjustment.

 

WORK ADJUSTMENT improves basic skills necessary to obtain and maintain job-promptness, dependability, good quantity and quality, follow-through, ability to work with others, plus the physical and emotional strength to get through a working day.

The “learning by doing” concept provides the individual with work experience and self-confidence.  Individual needs dictate the length of this service, though typically it is 20-40 days.

 

Work adjustment develops marketable skills in areas including, but not limited to the following: Sales Clerk, Lawn Care, Truck Driver Helper, Data Entry/Office Helper, Janitorial/Maintenance, Subcontractors, Dock Worker, Receptionist, and Rehabilitation Aide.

 

BRAIN INJURED VOCATIONAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM (BIVAP) provides programming for people who need to re-establish redevelop, or compensate for skills lost after sustaining a head injury.  The program provides support along with pre-vocational and vocational components tailored to the individual’s needs.  This program can last up to 180 days.

                                            

COMMUNITY WORK ADJUSTMENT (CWA) provides a supportive realistic work experience at a community employment site for persons who need minimal adjustment and work experience in order to enhance their potential for competitive employment.  Selection of these temporary placements is geared towards individual needs and interests.  Progress is monitored through regular discussions with the client and his/her supervisor.  Clients are usually in CWA 20-40 days.

 

RETAIL SKILLS TRAINING provides retail training through a combination of instruction and hands-on work experience.  Community sites are used for work experience whenever possible.  The class focuses on receiving, checking, displaying and stocking merchandise, customer service, and basic register and cash handling procedures.  The participant is ready for employment in the retail area, some at the clerk/cashier level and some at the management level.  This is a 10 week program.

 

FOOD SERVICE TRAINING is a 10 week program that provides a combination of classroom and hand-on experience, with a focus on food safety, sanitation, food preparation, order taking, customer service, and cash control.  Upon completion, the program participant receives employee level ServSafe® certification. 

 

SERVSAFE® CERTIFICATION is a class developed by the National Restaurant Association to teach industry standards for safe food handling practices.  The class is offered at the employee level (one day) and the managerial level (3 days).

 

JOB DEVELOPMENT/PLACEMENT matches an appropriate employment situation to the functional abilities of the individual.  This includes the identification of employment positions, a community labor market survey, initiation of employer contacts, a job analysis and a specific job match.  The program manager provides individuals with job leads which are consistent with each person’s vocational goal, arranges interviews and advocates on behalf of each person.  Job seeking skills are taught, including methods of job search, resume writing and application completion, and interviewing skills.  The individual works from newspapers and other employment resources and follows up on job leads with the assistance of a placement specialist.

 

INSURANCE PAYMENT SERVICE this service helps eligible individuals pay three months of auto insurance per year.  It usually takes less than one week for service.

 

PRIDE provides the opportunity to develop work skills and engage in job search activities while addressing barriers to employment.  Participation provides credit towards benefits received from the Department of Job and Family Services.  Most people participate 40 days.

 

FOR CHILDREN’S SAKE is a 40 day program designed to assist unemployed or underemployed non-custodial parents who are not meeting their child support obligations.  Services include job seeking skills training, practical hands-on work experience, barrier reduction, and job search assistance.

 

COLLABORATIVE ALTERNATIVE TRANSITION SERVICES (CATS) is an 8-9 week program which assists adolescents and young adults (ages 14-21) in preparation for competitive employment.  Programming includes classroom instruction, including job seeking skills training and personal development topics, as well as hands-on, practical work experience.

 

WORK SERVICES PROGRAM (Sheltered Employment) is for people with disabilities who need time to build up skills before they can obtain and maintain a job in the community; participants become employees in Goodwill’s Work Center.  Individuals receive work support services, vocational guidance and other services from Goodwill.  The length of participation varies.

 

Available jobs include but are not limited to: material handler, dock worker, baler, sorter, electronics and mechanics tester/ pricer, store clerk, janitor, truck helper, and assembler.  Individuals must be able to meet the production standards for the job and will be hired only if an opening is available; payment is based according to production using the PM III method (see Work Adjustment for details).  Work Center employees are considered employees of Goodwill Industries and are entitled to all of the benefits provided to employees.  When Work Center employees are ready for competitive employment in the community, placement services are available.

 

Hilary Strauss says, "Support your local United Way and you support Goodwill programs."