The Arc of Amador and Calaveras initiated Supported Employment Services in 1987. We were one of the first programs in the state to offer supported employment to people with developmental disabilities. Our Supported Employment Service has always emphasized individual placement. The Arc’s work crew program is not a service of Supported Employment but an extension of the Community Services Campus Programs and is often the opportunity for many participants to build the employment skills necessary to gain employment outside of Campus Programs with the assistance from the Supported Employment Department.

Each employer who hires one of our referred individuals is Eligible for the following:

• Thoroughly Screened Applicants
• Employee's skills and abilities are pre-matched to the job requirements
• On-site job training with the employee by one of our professionals
• Additional training, as necessary, for the duration of the employee's tenure
• Follow-up support services
• Job Coaching

Supported Employment

• Is work for pay at the same rates as those paid to persons without disabilities
• Occurs in an integrated, natural work setting where people without disabilities are employed
• Involves individuals with a broad spectrum of disabilities, abilities and challenges
• Entails on-the-job training that is often provided by an Employment Specialist from The Arc
• Maintains support services to the worker for the duration of the job
• Supports may include arranging transportation, training or retraining the supported worker, developing natural supports, or acting as a consultant to the business
• Promotes independence, social integration, confidence and maximum use of a person’s skill and abilities

What is Supported Employment?
It is a unique employment service for individuals, who, because of the level of their disability, require personalized initial and, at times, ongoing support to succeed and progress in a competitive work environment.

Supported Employment is paid, competitive employment for people, who because of their disability, have not been able to obtain and succeed in traditional employment opportunities. Supported Employment can and does occur in a variety of normal, integrated business environment (e.g. retail jobs, house cleaning, grocery stores, general laborer, fast food, etc.)

Supported Employment means having a job in the community while also receiving some assistance from an Employment Specialist or natural supports (friends, co-workers). The Specialist assists with intensive, systemic on-the-job training and consultation focused on building skills needed to meet employer productivity requirements, learning behaviors and acceptance in the social environment of the job setting. As the worker’s proficiency increases, the number of hours of assistance diminishes throughout the process.

Follow along supports assist the employee with periodic life changes and personal tensions that will cause job instability; e.g. remedial job training, transportation barriers etc. The Employment Specialist works with the employee and the Employer to ensure the intensity and frequency of supports that are needed to maintain productivity and social inclusion.

Eligibility:

All program participants must be referred by Valley Mountain Regional Center (VMRC) or Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Please contact The Arc of Amador & Calaveras, and your VMRC Case Manager, for more information about our Supported Employment Services.