"The Virtual Center for Independent Living for West Virginia""The Virtual Center for Independent Living for West Virginia"Home > Services > Employment Services Division > ESD Services
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ESD services:
School to Work Transition Services
The following is a description of the services provided by the Employment Services Division (ESD) at Mountain State Centers for Independent Living (MTSTCIL).
Employment assessment is a five day program where individuals learn to identify realistic employment options, develop employment goals and objectives while learning more about their individual skills, abilities and interests.
During the morning each person meets with their Employment Specialist to review skills and potential employment assets by using the following techniques:
The Employment Specialist will, if necessary, work with the individual to identify assistive technology or specialized devices that will assist the person with a disability in performing tasks in the workplace.
In the afternoons the Employment Specialist will accompany the individual as he or she visits potential workplaces and explores career options.
Work adjustment provides planned and structured training in a work and classroom setting to assist individuals to develop or re-establish work-appropriate habits, skills and behaviors as well as interpersonal skills, attitudes and behaviors.
The length of this training is determined by the needs of the individual.
Work adjustment training takes place at the Mountain State Centers for Independent Living (MTSTCIL) site and may continue at a potential work place site. The duration of the work adjustment period will depend on the individual's achievement.
Activities that will be completed by the individual and addressed during our work adjustment include:
During this training we will also discuss potential barriers to employment such as housing, child care, transportation, and health care.
Deficits in social and life skills ultimately impact an individual's ability to obtain and/or maintain employment. With that in mind, MTSTCIL staff provide training in basic life skills as well as occupational skills for specific jobs. Each skills training course has a specific curriculum that includes the planned length of the course, course components, materials and requirements for completion.
Basic life skills courses may be provided one-on-one or in a group setting. These courses focus on self-sufficiency and independent living and include such tracts as self-care, socialization, decision making, money management, etc.
During the course of Employment Readiness Services training, individuals will be reviewed weekly, both by their assigned Employment Specialist as well as ongoing structured self-evaluations, in order to review progress and be held accountable for their responsibilities during this training.
Basic life skills courses available at MTSTCIL or in the community include:
The Employment Specialist will also work with the individual to identify community supports and resources such as the local employment office, support groups, supports available through WV Department Health and Human Resources and other independent living services
Occupational skills training programs may be accessed at MTSTCIL or in the community on an individual basis. Occupational skills training programs include:
MTSTCIL offers direct job placement services that assist work-ready individuals obtain and retain community-based employment. No supportive services are provided for direct placement.
Our employment coordinator will assist the individual in career exploration, job search and development, and the employment application process.
Once the employment coordinator and individual have secured a job match, the job coach will spend time at the workplace to learn the specific job duties. The job coach will provide individual on-the-job training to assist the individual in building proficiency. The job coach with work with the employer and the individual to help them work together more efficiently.
The job coach may provide requested individual support with interpersonal skills and ongoing job retention in the workplace. Extended supported employment services may also be provided as needed. Read more about supported employment services.
MTSTCIL assists students with disabilities in the transition from school to work and adult life. Staff will work closely with the student, family members, school personnel, employers and agencies that assist students to transition.
Transition services include working with the student to identify their abilities, skills, needs, and interests with the ultimate goal of employment. Services could include, but are not limited to:
For more information call contact Brenda Goodfellow, Vice President for Programs for Mountain State at 304-652-2116 or email at bgoodfellow@mtstcil.org.
