A job provides many positive outcomes: money, benefits, a place to belong, and a chance to learn new skills. For individuals with disabilities, there are supports available that can help you prepare for work, get a job, and keep that job.Explore employment in businesses paying at least minimum wage through waiver services. These services are provided in conjunction with the Bureau of Rehabilitation and do not replace what is available through them.

Career Planning – a person-centered comprehensive employment planning and direct support service. Career Planning provides up to 60 hours to explore interests, skills, and abilities and to spend time learning in at least three businesses. It is a focused service engaging the member in identifying a career direction and developing a plan for achieving Competitive Integrated Employment. Career Planning assists in identifying skills, priorities, and capabilities determined through an individualized discovery process. The outcome of this service is to identify the member’s next steps in the employment path.

Work Support – provides on-the-job support to assist in learning job duties, building connections with supervisors and co-workers, and maintaining employment. The primary focus of the support is job-related and also encompasses adherence to work place policies, safety, productivity, dress code, work schedule, building co-worker and supervisor relationships, hygiene, and self-care.

Employment Specialist — provides support to build connections on the job and increase skills. Services also include periodic interventions on the job site to identify a member’s opportunities for improving productivity, minimizing the need for formal supports by promoting natural workplace relationships, adhering to expected safety practices, and promoting successful employment and workplace inclusion.

For more information on Day and Employment Services, please contact April Lemay, Director of Community Supports and Employment Services at 207-532-9493 or e-mail april.lemay@clastaff.org