Employment Services
There are a number of employment services that can help you find an integrated job in your community, through your DD services and through Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).
Talk with your Personal Agent to find out what is available in your area and get started with these services.
See a success story from right here in Salem here!
Job Development
A Job Developer identifies job opportunities in the workplace where your skills match the employer’s need. Job Development may include support with the application and interview process, and visits with potential employers.
Job Coaching
Once you have obtained an individual integrated job, Job Coaching is available to help you learn the new tasks and support your transition into your new job.
Job Coaches can assist in teaching new skills if you are moved to a new position or are seeking promotion. They can help you build relationships with your coworkers, learn about the rules of the business, and support you in being successful at work.
Career Exploration
Career exploration is offered through the vocational rehabilitation team. They will help you explore what career path may be best for you, based on your skills, interests, and experience.
Discovery
If you need more information to help you find out what you want to do for your career, you may request to be referred to a service called Discovery.
This is a short-term service where you will explore employment through work experiences, informal interviews, and other activities designed to explore your interests and strengths. This may include a visit to your home, several different community settings, and may include arranging volunteer or work experience opportunities to search for the type of jobs that best match your interests and strengths.
Employment Path
Employment Path Services are services to provide learning and work experiences. It may include volunteer opportunities.
The goal of Employment Path Services is for an individual to develop general employment skills that may be used in an integrated job.
These are time limited services as outlined in your ISP, which means they can only be used until your goal has been met. Specific goals will be written into your ISP and will be reached through an ongoing person-centered planning process.
Employment Path Services can be offered in a group (EPC-Community) or one-on-one (EPC-solo) depending on your goals. Talk with your Personal Agent about what your options are.
Small Group
Small Group Supported Employment opportunities are services and activities where the group (fewer than 8 people) works as a crew or workgroup.
Through Small Group Supported Employment, people will have regular opportunities to interact with the community and obtain valuable skills that can be applied toward their career goals in the future.
The purpose of small group supported employment is to help someone eventually get individual integrated employment.
Benefits Counseling
Are you nervous about how working may impact your disability benefits? You can work with a benefits counselor to help you understand how working might affect your benefits. They can also tell you about work incentives that can help you keep your benefits.
Oregon has two free benefits counseling programs for people with disabilities who are interested in working. Certified benefits counselors help you understand how working might affect your benefits.
- Work Incentives Network (WIN) – WIN is administered by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Vocational Rehabilitation program. You can learn more on this website.
- Plan for Work Program – The Plan for Work program is managed by Disability Rights Oregon (DRO). Visit their website to learn more.