workforce development & employment services

workforce development & employment services

support & guidance

The Arc of Union County’s Workforce Development & Employment Services programs provide adults and students with intellectual and developmental disabilities continuing education, job training, and supports to obtain and maintain employment.  We believe that all individuals who want to work should have the advocacy, support, and resources to pursue and attain those goals.  These concentrated services and more are located at our newly renovated building located at 720 Lexington Ave., Kenilworth, NJ.

employment first in new jersey

In 2012, the Governor declared New Jersey an ‘Employment First’ state. This means competitive employment is the first and preferred post-education activity for everyone, including people with disabilities.

Focusing on those that desire to work, SE professionals connect people with disabilities to integrated employment opportunities in their community. The program assists individuals in not only finding but maintaining competitive employment.  For individuals who are unsure of what job they would like or who have limited job experience, we provide pre-vocational evaluations & assessments to determine their interests, learning style and skill level.

Long term follow along program is the final phase of the supported employment process, and is also generically called extended services. LTFA includes the need for the continuation of ongoing support services after job stabilization is achieved with the goal of meeting consumers support needs as they arise for the term of employment in a particular job.

We offer an integrated production platform supervised by professional staff to ensure all workers have the necessary skills and are able to complete tasks according to job guidelines and quality standards. Emphasis is on the workers’ abilities and interests rather than their disabilities. All individuals are paid participants for work completed.

Job Sampling is a comprehensive, individualized service that assists persons seeking employment to develop or re-establish skills, attitudes, personal characteristics, work behaviors, and/or functional capacities, to achieve the identified integrated employment outcome.

Our professional staff offer both disabled and non-disabled individuals opportunities to learn a variety of skillsets.  Classes include Computer/Technology Literacy, Customer Service/Hospitality Training, GED, English as Second Language and more.  Non-disabled clients need referrals from our Workforce New Jersey partners at the Elizabeth and Plainfield offices.

 

ACCREDITATIONS & AFFILIATIONS

  • COMMISSION FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES (CARF)
  • MEDICAID APPROVED SERVICE PROVIDER

Individuals with new or limited work experience are offered prevocational activities and interventions designed to prepare them for the world of work.

Pre-vocational evaluation is a comprehensive, individualized and systematic process in which an individual, in partnership with the evaluator and DVRS counselor, learns to identify vocational options consistent with his or her abilities, capabilities, preferences and interests and to develop employment goals and objectives.

Our School-to-Career Transition Program supports students with special needs for post-graduation employment. Transition students explore career opportunities through job sampling at a variety of local businesses. This gives the student real-life experience in order to better understand the work world and how they can participate in it successfully.

Individuals are referred by the local Department of Vocational Rehabilitation office for employment services. We provide resume, job search, interview, and personal skill building.

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our goal is their goal

The goal of our employment programs is to continue our mission of inclusion in the workplace so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can share the same benefits as any worker and experience the joy of being a contributing member of our global workforce.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are enormously talented, loyal, hard-working, and driven individuals who have the ability to contribute to ANY workplace.  They are changing the landscape of business cultures in positive ways!

With outstanding resources and proper support, it is an ideal time to invest in this incredible group of people to assist in growing revenue, improving customer relations, and effectively becoming a meaningful member of your work family!

Contract services for your business solutions

The Extended Employment Program (EE) is one of the programs that may be offered under the federal definition of a Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP)


EE Programs:

  • Provide services as an interim step in the rehabilitation process
  • Are specifically designed for consumers who are presently unable to work in CIE or who have chosen to work in a non-integrated setting
  • Gives individuals the ability to complete complex tasks with staff’s assistance to ensure quality!

SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • Hand assembling and packaging
  • Disassembly
  • Repackaging
  • Promotions fulfillment
  • Heat sealing
  • Labeling/mailing and collating
  • Sorting/hanging/folding clothes/bagging/tagging/shredding and much more!

Many labor-intensive tasks or sub-components of jobs can be produced at The Arc’s work site by well-trained and supervised workers.  Production is designed to meet manufacturer’s standards with a high degree of quality control and attention to production deadlines.  Lower payroll costs/supplement your workforce without direct hiring.

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