Adults with intellectual developmental disabilities (I/DD) can enjoy lives filled with friends, family, hobbies and employment but may need help doing so. At Person Industries, the Adult Developmental Vocational Program (ADVP) assists people with developmental disabilities to explore their community for vocational opportunities, gain meaningful work experience, and build work skills and positive work habits that all employers appreciate.
People in the ADVP program work with PI staff to figure out what they want to do, what they are good at and what is important to them. Each person is unique, so while one person works on getting along with co-workers, someone else might work on opening a bank account or on recycling tasks. Everyone in the program gets the opportunity to do production or recycling work at PI/PCRC and GET PAID!
There are many community services that benefit people with Developmental Disabilities. The ADVP staff help program participants get involved in Special Olympics through Person County Parks and Recreation, in wellness through the NC Office of Disability Health, retirement opportunities through the Council on Aging, volunteer opportunities and many others.
When ADVP participants are interested in jobs outside of Person Industries, they are referred to our Supported Employment program.
Supported Employment (SE) is a vocational service for people with intellectual developmental disabilities who want to work independently within their community.
Within the Supported Employment program, each participant is assigned a job coach to help them find a job that they will enjoy and can be successful in.
The job coach assists with filling out applications and developing interviewing skills as well as providing individual training on the job. During on-the-job training, the job coach is not only working with the participant to master the job duties, but they are also helping to foster coworker relationships and support systems within the work environment.
As the participant becomes more independent on the job, the job coach’s assistance fades until the job is performed independently and accurately by the employee.
Long term vocational support services are then available to maintain contact with both the employee and the employer to help ensure an ongoing successful working relationship.
Sometimes a person may need more supervision and support in order to work successfully in the community.
Person Industries contracts with area businesses to provide cleaning services, confidential shredding, recycling, as well as production work crews that are supervised by Person Industries’ staff at various local company worksites.
These positions are limited, but there are openings periodically due to work expansion, development of new contracts, or employee turnover. A waiting list is maintained to offer a pool of candidates interested in supervised group employment opportunities that arise.
When people have more severe disabilities that make it hard to communicate, move around or understand things, they may need the Community Alternatives Program (CAP). This is a Medicaid program designed to help individuals function as independently as possible with their disability. Staff works one-on-one or in small groups to provide attention and assistance as each participant works on goals. The person receiving the service has a Person Centered Plan that is “Person Centered” and developed with input from the individual, case manager, family, guardian, and staff at Person Industries that help determine what goals the individual will work towards while attending Person Industries.
In the CAP program individuals work on prevocational skills such as attention span, motor skills, attendance, and task completion. Staff will help the person learn how to express feelings effectively, how to be safe in the community, how to exercise, how to work with a computer, etc. CAP services take place at PI and in the community. Each person in the program will have a case manager who will help coordinate services that may not be offered at Person Industries.
When someone asks you what type of job you want, do you reply,” Oh, I don’t know” or “I’m willing to do ANYTHING!?” If so, you might need Vocational Evaluation services. The purpose of evaluation is to come up with a specific job goal that matches your abilities and your interests.
Evaluation enables you and your counselor to make meaningful decisions about your employment. First, you will decide what questions you need to answer during the evaluation.
Some examples of questions you might ask are:
Once we have decided the questions that need to be answered, we will determine the method for answering the questions.
Computer tests, work samples, interest inventories, vocational interviews and job sampling can be used to determine your vocational goals. If you are a person who needs to try jobs before you decide if you like them, your counselor may refer you for a Community-Based Assessment. You will go to different job sites in the community and try jobs. Once you know what you want to do for a job, you and your counselor may decide that PI is a good place for you to do further vocational preparation through Work Adjustment Training or Supported Employment.
Once you have decided what type of job you are looking for, Person Industries can help you look for appropriate jobs or return to school through Work Adjustment Training. WAT is designed to assist you in obtaining employment.
Your VR counselor may refer you to JOBS Group at PI. This is an eight week seminar where you acquire all the necessary tools for job search AND look for jobs. You meet with the group once a week to work on resumes, cover letters, developing references, practicing interviews and putting in job applications. The members of the group encourage and help each other in the job search process under the guidance of the Work Adjustment Coordinator.
Person Industries also offers a short period of in-house training in order for you to practice good work habits and build work stamina. You will work on specific goals during this training period, which can last from two to six weeks. This training program simulates a real job with a daily schedule, work activities, a supervisor and co-workers. This program is particularly useful for those who have been out of the work force for a long period of time.
If the career you desire means you will need further schooling, Person Industries can help you find the best school to meet your needs. There are several community colleges, universities and institutes within a fifty mile radius of Person County. PI staff can help you research curriculums, admission requirements, and financial aid packages to get you started on a new career track.
If you are the type of person who needs more intensive help with finding and keeping a job, the Supported Employment Program may best suit your needs.
High school students who are eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation services may participate in this program. OCS is a diploma track program that requires eligible seniors to complete 360 hours of competitive employment in order to graduate. PI provides job coaches who assist the students with vocational evaluation, job development, job placement and coaching services. Some high school students may also receive community based assessments and/or transition services through the Supported Employment Program.
