1. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT

2. WHAT IS SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT The St. Louis Arc’s employment services supports students and adults who have developmental disabilities in seeking part- and full-time paid employment, provides initial and ongoing job coaching and retention services. We work with the individual and their supervisors to ensure successful job placements.

3. WHERE TO START Starts with you and your team! Contact DMH-Regional Office! Contact Vocational Rehabilitation! Interview all employment providers! Your choice! Your Ready!

4. VR Offices St. Charles VR Office  3737 Harry S. Truman Blvd. – Suite 400, St. Charles Mo, 63301  636-940-3300 St. Louis Downtown  220 South Jefferson, Suite 110, St. Louis Mo, 63103  314-877-2940 St. Louis North  4040 Seven Hill Drive – Suite 257, Florissant, Missouri 63033  314-877-3200 St. Louis South  Deer Creek Center, Laclede Station Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63143  314-877-1900 St. Louis West  9900 Page Ave., Suite 104 St. Louis, MO 63132  314-587-4877

5. DMH/Regional Offices St. Louis county office  9900 Page, Suite 106 St. Louis, MO 63132  314-587-4800 St Louis County Satellite Office  4040 Seven Hills St Louis MO 63033  Phone: 314-475-7600 St. Charles county office  119 Olympic Way St. Peters, MO 63376  636-926-1200 SLRC – St Louis City Office  Wainwright State Office Building  111 N. 7 th St. 6 th Floor, St. Louis, MO 63101  Phone: (314) 244-8800

6. Intake Time to meet your chosen provider Information gathering  Rights  Release of Information forms  Contact information Preferences (desired by the individual)  Job interest  Schedule…..Days/Evenings  Environment…..Indoors/Outdoors  Accommodations needed  Transportation  Support needs  Strengths and Abilities  Desired wage

7. Discovery Building a relationship with the individual, his/her support system and environment, taking into consideration the individual’s interests, preferences, needs and abilities to create a road map toward his/her employment goal.

8. Exploration Utilizing information obtained through Discovery to develop specific, realistic opportunities to allow the individual to define for themselves what does and does not make sense for their employment.

9. Work Readiness Inventory Why was the WRI Created  Teachers have a great deal of detailed information about students in transition.  Teachers and VR adult providers typically do not speak the same language.  Detailed information from the teacher can reduce the need for repeated assessment activities.  Getting detailed information from teachers should accelerate the process of developing an employment plan.

10. Work Readiness Inventory Purpose  To share accurate and current information to job development.  To report the level of work readiness on each student.  To assist in determining supported employment needs.  To solicit concrete and targeted information needed by the adult provider.

11. Development Instruction on job seeking skills Resume development Interview techniques Identifying/Developing job opportunities Finding competitive employment consistent with the needs outlined during Discovery and Exploration phases Assure a suitable job match with the individual and the employer Developing job supports and/or accommodations Educating employers

12. Coaching Intensive on-the-job training that is necessary to teach the employee both the job duties and job-related responsibilities:  Transportation  Developing natural supports  Taking breaks and lunch  Communication Fade out into Retention supports

13. Retention Natural on-going supports Assist in advocating Support for Life

14. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What if I am not ready for competitive employment? How long does it take to find a job? Transportation? (bus, cab, call-a-ride, bus training, etc.) What if I lose my job?

15. FOR MORE INFORMATION… BRIAN HUBLER DIRECTOR OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSITION SERVICES ST. LOUIS ARC 1177 N. Warson Road ST. LOUIS, MO 63132 Direct: 314-817-2223 MAIN OFFICE (314) 569-2211 WEBSITE: WWW.SLARC.ORG