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Work is truly the medicine for poverty, it is a motivator
of dreams for self-realization and the development of self-worth, self-esteem,
and adds meaning and purpose to lives. We are providing work opportunities,
education and job-training services to enhance the employability of people
with barriers to employment through CARF accredited programs that include:
Employee Development Services, Organizational Employment Services, and
Community Employment Services. These programs are designed to help individuals
in their transition from public assistance to competitive employment,
and to develop the life and work skills they need to lead more productive
and independent lives.
We are committed to assisting all people who experience barriers to employment, whether they have disabling or disadvantaging conditions. We are well positioned to help in our community's welfare-to work movement by providing highly individualized services to meet the needs of the consumer
We provide vocational services that enable the highest level of independence for people challenged by disabling and disadvantaging conditions.
Vocational Evaluation
This service utilizes work samples, testing, and career exploration to determine work readiness, to identify the need for other services, and/or identify specific vocational goals.
Employee Development Services (Work Adjustment)
A pre-employment training program provided in-house (facility based) or at community sites that utilizes real work to help develop the skills needed to meet the demands of competitive employment.
Community Employment Services (Job Development)
Services are provided that assist in identifying and obtaining employment compatible with an individual's vocational, social, psychological needs and their medical limitations and abilities. Job Seeking and Keeping Skills, Job Coaching, Job Shadowing and Job Saves are included in this program.
Organizational Employment
This program utilizes integrated work centers where people with disabilities work alongside people without disabilities. Individuals are paid for all work completed. Participants receive case management and have individual rehabilitation plans.
Meet Christina
Christina was born with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy
is caused by damage to motor areas of the brain that may affect motor
movement and posture. This disorder is generally caused by lack of oxygen
for a time at birth. Christina has difficulty being understood by others
without the use of a communication or speech device. Christina also has
mobility problems, as it is difficult for her to walk any distance without
power chair assistance.
In 1998, Christina interned in the Data Entry Services program at Sandusky
Bay Area Goodwill Industries. Data Entry Services, supervised by Pamela
Hartle, provides Medicaid billing, invoicing, database maintenance, work
processing and updating mailing lists for competitive fees. Each employee
presents with a disability, but is capable of working independently,
having harnessed the power of the personal computer. Data Entry Services
is always investigating new opportunities to provide quality services
to local businesses, while continuing to expand employment offerings
to individuals with disabilities. After graduating from high school in
2002, Christina was hired in the department. At Goodwill, Christina is
responsible for inputting information into the computer regarding new
hires in our factories, donor information from our eight retail stores
and Medicaid billings for independent service providers. This enables
Christina to use her intellect and computer skills to remain employed
and be a productive member of our community.
Christina is bright and cheerful and a great asset to our Data Entry
Services program. Her wonderful outlook uplifts her
co-workers and supervisors as well.
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