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Employment Support Program (back to top)
The ultimate goal for Mercy Centre and for the people whom it serves is independence realized through a job in their community. Mercy Centre Employment Support Program provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to maintain successful competitive job placement. People in the Employment Support Program are paid minimum wage, or the established rate for their job. Our goal is to assist people achieve meaningful employment within the community, appropriate to their choices, abilities and preferences. These services are provided primarily at the Participant’s place of employment or at supervised work sites in the community. Limited services are provided in the facility.
Individual Supported Employment
Supported employment services are designed to assist people to choose and achieve vocational and employment goals and objectives, appropriate to their wishes and abilities. People are competitively employed at local businesses, and receive ongoing supports from this program. The Mercy Centre support services range from the initial job coaching to long term follow-up and job maintenance support. This process is very individualized and there is no time limit to follow-up supports. Long term follow-up supports include face to face contact with both the employee and the company contact person, at least monthly. The Case Manager also contacts the person’s parent and/or guardian, on a monthly basis, in order to assure continued satisfaction.
Community Work Sites: Group
Some people work at supervised supported employment work sites in their community. They are integrated into these local companies, and receive fulltime supervision due to safety, medical or behavioral issues. Community work sites are also for people who choose not to be competitively employed but enjoy working in the community. People in the Employment Support Program work outside the facility at least three days per week. The Program provides transportation to and from their community work site. All participants are paid for the work that they perform off-site. Time studies are performed on all off-site jobs in the community. Sub-minimum wages are paid in accordance with the Department of Labor.
Facility Based Services
Some people who work competitively on a part time basis choose to work at Mercy Centre on their days off. These people have the option of performing subcontract work in the facility or working at an established community work site. Some people who work at supervised community sites choose to work in the facility one or two days per week. The work area in the facility is supervised fulltime.
Job Coaching Services
The Job Coaches work directly with the program participants in the community. They do 1:1 job training or provide fulltime supervision at community work sites. Job Coaches participate in time studies and task analysis. They also complete vocational evaluations. Job Coaches transport, train, supervise and provide ongoing employment supports for program participants.
Case Management Services and Job Development Services
The Employment and the Job Specialists provide job development services and case management services. Job Development Services include administering various assessments, initiating job tours, assisting in the application and interview process, and helping the Program Participant develop relationships with co-workers. Case Management responsibilities include record maintenance, completion of State required documentation, participation in the annual ISP, goal tracking, liaison between Mercy Centre and parents, guardians, residential providers, Community Health Link Counselors and Department of Mental Retardation. Case Managers keep in touch with parents and guardians, prepare annual vocational and safety assessments, generate non-intrusive, positive based behavior plans and provide any other support necessary to the people whom they serve.
Access to Services
Employment Supports is for people with developmental disabilities who need assistance with vocational training or employment services. Program Participants must want the service, need the service and have a desire to work in the community, with an individualized level of support. Potential program participants are treated with dignity and respect throughout their contact with the organization, and receive a thorough assessment of their employment needs in relation to the services offered by the Mercy Centre Employment Support Program.
Community Based Day Supports (CBDS) (back to top)
The CBDS Program provides opportunities for personal growth which enhances the Participant’s self-esteem, independence, encourages interactions with peers and community members, offers opportunities to develop increased competence in group situations as both members and leaders and provides individual opportunities to solve problems actively.
Goal
Employment is not the primary focus of CBDS. The CBDS Program provides supports and opportunities for people to enrich their lives by developing personal skills, participating in a full range of community activities and developing a network of caring relationships. Supports are based on individual preferences and needs, with an emphasis on self-determination and individual control.
Criteria
CBDS is for people who have chosen to have work take a less important role in their lives. CBDS is also for people who are medically fragile or are experiencing other significant issues that limit their ability to be engaged in full-day work activities.
Alternative Activities
Alternative activities available in CBDS include: communication skills, using community resources, health and nutrition, safety skills and safety awareness, survival skills, money, time and telephone skills, cooking and cleaning, grooming and hygiene, therapeutic recreation, human rights and assertiveness training, social and leisure skills and community access.
Vocational Services
People in CBDS can participate in work or volunteer activities for up to 50% of their time. There are part-time volunteer opportunities every day. People in CBDS who volunteer in their communities truly are valued contributors to society.
Staffing
The CBDS Program Coordinator provides case management services for people, supervises the CBDS staff and relates all activities to the ISP goals. The CBDS Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Instructor provides skills training in the area of communication, health, and nutrition, human rights and assertiveness, money and time, grooming and hygiene, cooking, cleaning and therapeutic recreation. The CBDS Community Access Instructor provides skills training in the area of safety, community awareness, recreation and leisure, utilizing community resources, community membership, social and socialization skills. The CBDS Vocational Instructor provides vocational training in the facility, at community job training sites and at local volunteer sites.
Each person participating in the CBDS Program is involved in planning the weekly activities. People can participate in work/volunteer activities for up to one-half of their time, either at the facility or in the community. Participants will spend at least half of their program time on alternative activities that best suit their needs, abilities and preferences.
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