Employment Services

Supported employment is a community based work option for adults with developmental disabilities; individuals who have traditionally been excluded from opportunities in typical work settings. Supported employment is characterized by regular opportunities for interaction with coworkers without disabilities and the general public; pay and benefits are equal to those received by coworkers without disabilities in comparable positions. Supported employment is based on the premise that work should be accessible to everyone, regardless of disability. By providing the necessary support, individuals with disabilities are increasing their opportunity for community integration, independence, and productivity.

Benefits for supported employment are not only for the individual seeking employment. Employers benefit by free placement services and on-the-job training; reliable employees with improved punctuality and less absenteeism; ongoing support for both the employer and employee; education for employers and coworkers working with persons with disabilities; and lower turnover.

Supported employment has several components to the process of assisting individuals in seeking and maintaining employment. Those components are:

1. • Job Development Staff at Career Solutions, Inc. work with the individual who has a disability, their parent/guardian and or other interested parties to determine the type of employment setting that best meets the person's unique needs, interests, and abilities.
2. 
   • Job Placement Once work preferences have been determined, job placements are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the employment needs of each individual being served and their family. The individual is hired by the employer (not through a third party).
4. • Job Coaching Career Solutions employment specialists provide on-the-job training. The employment specialist (job coach) assists the individual in learning tasks required for the job they were hired to do. In addition, the job coach works with management and coworkers on ways to provide support to the individual in the work place at no expense to the employer.
6. • On-going (follow-up) Support For individuals that have reached a proficiency level of work performance, Career Solutions will follow-up with the individual and their employer to ensure continuity of performance and that the natural support system has remained in place. It also allows the employer to be able to call upon Career Solutions if further assistance or training is required, due to procedural changes in the workplace, promotion, added duties or responsibilities, or a loss in performance.

Continuing Education Services

The continuing education program at Career Solutions, Inc. offers courses in a variety formats and settings. (i.e. individual or group lessons, or the classroom). Courses focus on independent living, social and employment related skills. Courses are structured to meet the diverse needs of the students and provide a person centered approach to learning that focuses on increased independence as opposed to the maintenance of skills. A five day-a-week program is available and is structured to follow a typical college-type schedule.  Also click here to view the 2012 sumemr class schedule for Career Solutions, Inc.'s Continuing Education Program.

Independent Living Services

This program provides instruction in the individuals own home (apartment or house) or for those individuals who live with their families. The independent living instructors provide education, training and support to maintain or increase independent living skills. These skills may include money management, health and safety, interpersonal relations, career enhancement and development, community awareness, recreational skills, nutrition, hygiene and leisure.

Transition Services

Transition services are a coordinated set of activities for a transition-age (age 18-21) student with a disability. The program is designed with an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing education, adult services, independent living, and community participation. Career Solutions, Inc. is committed to helping individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in the transition process.

Eligibility

In order to eligible for most of our services (excluding the transition program), individuals must typically be 21 years of age and have a developmental disability that occurred prior to age 22. Referrals are often provided through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Division and/or the Nebraska Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Both programs determine eligibility for services, prior to referral. Cost or payment by either program is determined by a standard assessment. Individuals also have the option to privately pay for services offered by Career Solutions, Inc.