Employment Services

Employment Services consists of three components: a Work Activity Center, Arc-Way Industries, and Supported Employment. The first two components of the program are sheltered workshop settings which assist adults with mental retardation with developing the pre-vocational skills necessary to eventually obtain jobs in the community.

Consumers then graduate to supported employment where they are assisted with obtaining jobs in the community at local businesses.

The goal of Employment Services is to help each adult served become a viable, tax-paying member of the community.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

Each year, Employment Services develops a CQI Plan in an effort to evaluate its services and programs provided to adults with mental retardation and their families. The results are used to determine the effectiveness of the program and as a guide for efforts over the next year.

In 2007, family members of consumers enrolled in Employment Services gave the program an overall rating of 6.09 on a scale of 1-7, with 7 representing excellent.

Consumer productivity is defined as the amount of work completed by each adult enrolled. Consumer productivity during 2007 averaged 12% in the sheltered employment component of the program. This is an area where improvements will be sought again in 2008.

Consumers enrolled in the WAC and Arc-Way components of the program continued to enhance their pre-vocational skills. As a result, in 2007 six adults progressed on to Arc-Way Industries from the Work Activity Center and one graduated from Arc-Way to Supported Employment.

Finally in 2007, three consumers were hired at local jobs within the community for the first time and 72% of those who were already employed retained their jobs in the community.

Barbara has so many possibilities!

In 2002, Barbara enrolled in The Arc’s Work Activity Center and found it extremely uncomfortable being in a new environment with so many new faces. She refused to interact with others and would not respond to staff members. If unchanged, this eventually would hinder her opportunities to advance to a more independent employment situation. However, soon she began to open up more and became ready to explore the community around her. As a result, she was eventually promoted to Arc-Way Industries and she is now looking for her very own job in the community! She would like to work at a hotel in a food services setting. Barbara is excited about the possibilities that await her.

What Consumers, Families, and Employers Said About Employment Services

“What I like best about my job is the paycheck!”

“I would recommend this program to others because it gives these individuals a sense of belonging and responsibility. Everything seems to be done with such care and concern.”

“The program is great because it gives our daughter a chance to feel responsible and she is able to earn her own money to spend.”