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Individual Supported Employment offered at Morningside Thurston County

Individual Supported Employment offered at Morningside Thurston County

Individual supported employment services are designed for individuals who need intensive training and ongoing support to secure and maintain employment in the community. Based on the vocational goals of the participant, our professional job developers seek out employment situations that meet the specific needs of the individual. In many cases, jobs can be discovered after an analysis indicates that certain tasks can be grouped together to establish a position that meets the particular skills and strengths of the participant. For example, a business may have an office environment in which employees must do their own copying. By setting up a position that enables copying to be accomplished for the entire office, an individual who might once have been seen as having limited skills can learn to perform the duties. This becomes a time-saver for the organization and enables other employees to be more efficient in their primary responsibilities a win-win situation for everyone. After a position is secured, skilled job coaches set up a training plan for the new employee. The intensive training phase continues until the employee learns the job and is stable in his or her position. Training is provided to co-workers to increase their ability to support the new employee. Comments about improvements in work place morale and a greater sense of teamwork among staff members are just some of the favorable remarks received from employers involved with the Individual Supported Employment program through Morningside. Once the intensive training phase is completed, ongoing support is provided. Depending upon the specific needs of the employee, contact can vary from daily to bi-weekly until the success of the job and other work-related activities is insured.

Physical Address

809 Legion Way Southeast, Olympia, WA 98501

Hours

M-F, 8am-4:30pm.

Application process

Referral from vocational counselor, or call for more information.

Fee

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) pays for most people who need services. Will work with people to see if they can help them. If they cannot and the client receives Social Security benefits, they can help with a work incentive plan to pay for service costs, and to keep costs at a minimum.

Eligibility

Individuals with disabilities.

Agency info

Morningside - Thurston County

EMPLOYMENT PLANNING and ASSESSMENT: Individually designed services provide participants with the opportunity to explore work options and try out a job. Job try outs can be developed within the local business community or at one of Morningside's structured work areas to gather information regarding vocational strengths, interests, abilities and needs in order to obtain and maintain employment. COMPETITIVE JOB PLACEMENT: Through partnerships with local employers, Morningside identifies and develops employment opportunities for participants based on individual skills, interests, abilities, and vocational goals. In addition to the hiring process; on-the-job training, structured follow-up, job retraining, and employer consultation services can be provided. INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT: Supported employment is a creative approach to employment for people with disabilities. Participants receive individualized training and long-term support to ensure job satisfaction and that employee performance meets employer standards. HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION: A cooperative venture between Morningside, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and local school districts. Assistance is provided to high school students with developmental disabilities to explore career options and receive the necessary supports to maintain employment upon high school graduation. School districts Thurston, Pierce and Clallam Counties.