Employment Services for people with Developmental/Intellectual Disabilities
CPGR’s Supported Employment programs support participants in their quest to obtain and maintain competitive employment. We partner with New York State’s Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) program and Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Supported Employment helps people without jobs to find work and in turn, helps employers to fill vacancies. Our staff extends support not only to a new employee, but to the employer as well. By guiding employees in navigating a new workplace environment with an emphasis on meeting the needs of the employer, CPGR works to ensure success for both.
CPGR offers disability awareness and sensitivity training to your organization. This can be helpful to management, human resources, front line workers and volunteers. For further information, please contact Nicole Seaman at (585) 336-4692.
Employer Support
Hiring people with disabilities is good business. Research indicates employers report equal or better safety records, turnover and absentee rates, job performance ratings, job assignment flexibility, and equal amount of supervision for employees with disabilities, compared to those without disabilities. Our aim is to create jobs and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities. We hope to gain and develop partnerships with businesses and provide a professional and valued workforce to any team.
“ … I’ve learned the value of hard work by working hard…” Margaret Mead
If you are a business with hiring needs, we welcome partnering with you to meet those needs. Please contact Nicole Seaman at (585) 336-4692.
Participant Support
CPGR offers the following to Youth ages 14-21 years:
Workplace Readiness Skills To Develop Social Skills and Independent Living
Workplace readiness traits describe those skills that employers expect from most employees. Workplace readiness skills are the skills and behaviors necessary on any job, such as how to interact with supervisors and coworkers and the importance of timeliness. Sometimes these skills are referred to as soft skills, employability skills or job preparation skills. Learning about these skills enable students to develop and understanding of how one is perceived by others and self-insight. Employers value employees that are able to communicate effectively, get along with others, show flexibility and act professionally.
Exploration Assessments for Youth
In this service, an evaluator meets with the participant for a comprehensive evaluation that looks at the participant’s education, past work experience, skills, interest and aptitude areas. Referral information, information obtained during the interviews, career interest tools, and structured career exploration activities are used during the assessment period. This assessment will also allow the evaluator to better understand the individual’s unique factors to arrive at recommendations for flexible strategies for job development, placement and job retention.
Counseling on enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary education at institutes of higher learning
Services may include information on course offerings, career options, types of academic and occupational training needed to succeed in the workplace, and postsecondary opportunities associated with a career field or pathways. It may also include advising students and family members on academic curricula, college application and admissions processes, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and resources that may be used to support individual student success in education and training, to include disability support services.
Supported Employment Services (Adult ages 21-65)
Paid competitive integrated employment with ongoing support for individuals with disabilities for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, and who need support services in order to obtain, perform, and retain their job. Supported Employment provides assistance such as job coaching and job placement, assistance in interacting with employers, on-site assistive technology training, specialized job training, and individually tailored supervision.
For individuals seeking job placement or job supports
Please start by contacting your local ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation) office or attending an orientation session at ACCES-VR.
The schedule for orientation sessions for the Rochester District Office is available here: ACCES-VR
OPWDD
The New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is focused on a simple yet incredibly important mission: helping people with developmental disabilities live richer lives.
OPWDD’s supported employment services include Supported Employment (SEMP) and the Employment Training Program (ETP).
Supported Employment can provide the supports you need to maintain a paid competitive job in the community. Typically, you will transition to Supported Employment after you have received supported employment services funded by the NYS Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) and you require limited job coaching to successfully maintain your employment.
The Employment Training Program can provide you with an opportunity to work in an internship that will lead to permanent employment in a community business. During the internship, your wages will be paid by through the Employment Training Program while you learn the skills needed for the job. As an Employment Training Program participant, you will also attend job readiness classes that present topics such as conflict resolution and how to dress for work. Employment Training Program services include increased job development and job coaching as well as assistance with other employability skills.
Prevocational Services
Prevocational services are available to you if you want to work, but need extra help to develop the skills to be successful in the workplace. These services address your vocational interests and can help you build on your strengths and overcome barriers to employment.
These services include support and training related to the ability to obtain and retain employment, excluding training on job tasks. You may or may not perform work for which you are paid while receiving prevocational services.