Employment Services
What is Supported Employment?
Supported Employment is a national vocational program that provides assessment,
job placement, job coaching, and on-going consultation by an Employment Consultant
to allow people with disabilities to have successful jobs in the community.
Employment Consultants provide professional and supportive assistance
in seeking employment, based on the person’s preferences, strengths, and abilities. We work with people with various disabilities.
Funding Sources
Funding for our services is available through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and The Resource Exchange (TRE).
Our Employment Consultants work as a team, so you know you can access the support you need. The Common Roots Employment Team are also active members of APSE (The Association for Persons Supporting Employment First), an organization dedicated to real jobs for real pay for all people with disabilities.
The Role of an Employment Consultant
- Match the job seeker’s skills, interests, and abilities with an employer’s needs
- Assist in the hiring process
- Provide on-the-job support and training to ensure successful performance
- Provide an avenue to communicate and address the person’s performance with his/her employer
- Facilitate disability awareness with co-workers
- Provide assistance in obtaining raises and promotions
- Help navigate the Social Security system (obtaining IRWEs, subsidies, and information on how wages affect benefits)
Benefits to the Job Seeker
- Self-sufficiency
- Self-esteem
- Self-determination
- Real life work experience
- Skill acquisition
- Social life
- A paycheck
- Opportunity to pursue interests & goals
- Pride from contributing to society
- Control over the future
- Success in community employment