Supported
Employment
At GCC, we utilize the “job-seeker driven approach”. Our members are active participants. GCC, Supported Employment Specialist and the job seeker will meet at the GCC office and create a profile of what the job seeker wants to achieve through supported employment. This phase may take several meetings and may be conducted in a setting that is more comfortable for the job seeker.
How it Works
Job Seeker Analysis
Detail analysis determining the interest of the job seeker. What do you like to do (interests and preferences)? What skills do you have (talents, gifts, abilities, education)? What work conditions would you like to have (hours/schedule, job duties, work environment, supervision)? What financial and non-monetary benefits do you need or want (wages, health insurance, vacation, personal time, sick leave)? What kind of social environment would you like (co-workers, opportunities for socialization, lunch/breaks)? What type of services do you need (case management, independent living, assistive technology, reasonable accommodations, education)? What type of supports do you need (personal, workplace, community)? What type of job would you like (type of work, location, size of company, advancement)? What are your career goals (employment)?
Employment Specialist
GCC employment specialist will involve their job seekers in every aspect of the employer match process. For instance, jobs often are found through family and friends. Job seekers may use their networks and contacts as GCC employment specialist assists with coordinating and implementing support strategies. In addition, job seekers are beginning to assist in the job analysis process to glean specific information about the business. Regardless of whether the job seeker, family member, friend, or employment specialist finds the job, it is critical to complete a job analysis to ensure that the employment situation matches the job seeker’s career plans. Further, the job seeker-driven approach requires that the job seeker, NOT the GCC employment specialist, choose the employment opportunities using the information gathered from the employment site and job seeker profile.
Job Seeker Approach
The job seeker is notified of all job openings as the employment specialist becomes aware of openings. Assists the employment specialist in analyzing their personal strengths and interests and comparing them with the specific employer demands and business culture. Determines if the salary and benefits package is satisfactory. Determines if interested in pursuing the job opening.
The job seeker-driven approach to supported employment places emphasis on the initial time that the employment specialist spends with their job seekers to assist with the identification of career goals. High-quality employment specialists work closely with their job seekers and together develop strategies for marketing their service, establishing a rapport with the business community, interviewing employers, and conducting in-depth job analysis of specific employment settings. Completing this process allows the gathering of information the job seeker can use to determine if the wages, benefits, conditions, supports, and corporate culture for a particular job are sufficient for her or his long-term career development.
The Jobseeker is assisted in determining dreams/career options. Assisted in determining local businesses where he/she would be interested in working. Assisted in identifying what he/she wants from a career (i.e., salary level, friendship benefits). Participates in analyzing how assistive technology services and devices might expand their employment opportunities. Assisted in developing a resume. Participates in job development activities with the employment specialist. Aware of how GCC employment specialist presents the program that represents him/her and ADA to the business community.
Supported employment services, consists of paid employment for persons for whom competitive employment is unlikely, and who, because of their disabilities, need intensive ongoing support to perform in a work setting. Supported employment is conducted in a variety of settings, particularly work sites in which persons without disabilities are employed. Supported employment includes activities needed to sustain paid work by individuals including supervision and training. When supported employment services are provided at a worksite in which persons without developmental disabilities are employed, payment will be made only for the adaptations, supervision, and training required by individuals receiving waiver services because of their disabilities and will not include payment for the supervisory activities rendered as a normal part of the business setting. This includes job coaching.