OVERVIEW

Employment Services (Vocational Rehabilitation) provides an umbrella of service choices to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with similar barriers to employment. Services are separate so as to provide a menu of options for individuals and referral sources. There is no continuum of services. All Employment services are individualized focusing on the goals of persons receiving services. Over 600 individualized Vocational Rehabilitation services are delivered annually.

Individuals served are mostly those with acquired disabilities, such as, physical injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and individuals with developmental disabilities, such as, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, dystonia, cognitive impairments. Also served are individuals with learning disabilities, mental health issues, substance abuse, and public assistance recipients.

Staff are mostly trained professionals with Bachelor and Master Degrees in education and rehabilitation counseling. Specially certified staff include nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselors, Career Facilitator, and NYS Teacher's Certifications. Employment Specialists and Job Coaches receive training certificates specializing in Job Coaching and Supported Employment.

Career Assessment and Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation (DVE): Career Assessments are one to two day standardized and survey test assessments to identify strengths, barriers, potential employment areas and specific job titles. Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation is from two to fifteen days in duration. The DVE is designed to identify potential careers, employment areas, job titles, and assess work tolerance and accommodations needed for successful employment. Evaluation methods may include situational assessment at various work sites, testing, and computer screenings depending upon the desired goals of the person receiving services. A DVE focuses on specific referral questions. Referrals are usually received from the State Vocational Offices (Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities or VESID), schools, community disability support groups, and insurance companies.

Computer Assessments: This assessment is specific to accessing the skills/abilities needed to further train in various computer software. Also included are recommendations for simple input hardware, operating system accessibility, voice-activated software and/or recommendations for a comprehensive assistive technology computer evaluation. Depending on the number of software programs to be assessed, this screening can be completed in a few hours or requires several days.

Computer Training: Individualized training is given for specific business software, voice activated programs, and/or internet access and surfing. For those who qualify there are special e-learning curriculums available for various certification at minimal cost.

Career Counseling: Available on an individual basis, this service assists individuals in identifying short term and long term career goals.  

Supported Employment: For those who qualify this service offers intensive Job Coaching services for community employment with long term Job Coaching supports. Two separate groups are serviced under Supported Employment, those individuals with developmental disabilities and those individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury or acquired disabilities. Referrals must be received from State Vocational Agencies (VESID). Other supports available are Job Readiness Groups, Job Hunt Club, and after work socials & seminars.  

Competitive Job Placement: Job Placement services provide direct placement in employment with or without short term job coaching supports. Resume preparation, interview skills, Tools for Success Seminar T (tips for finding the right employment) are available as needed. Performance Based Job Placement is a fast track job placement. There is also a special population's service for those individuals with severe physical disabilities who have advanced training/education beyond high school.  

Pre-vocational Services: This is a pre-vocational service under the Home Community Based Waiver for those qualifying individuals with developmental disabilities sponsored by NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). Services are delivered within our "Package Pros Plus" work facility that primarily does packaging, assembly, and small mailings for local businesses on a competitive basis.

Transitional Services for School: Special level evaluations, assessments, and planning consultation available to School Districts for their special education populations who will be transitioning to employment opportunities and/or other Adult Day Services. Families may request this service through their school district funding or through the State Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VESID).  

Affiliations: The Long Island Association (LIA)-Staffing & Re-employment Services has sponsored an LI Disability Initiative for Businesses to benefit from hiring individuals with disabilities. Please visit this special web site: www.employdisabled.com.

"The Employment Connection": This is the UCP-Suffolk DBA (doing business as) providing many of our Employment Services for persons with barriers to employment, and businesses who can also benefit from our services. Please visit our web site directly: www:theemploymentconnect.com

"Package Pros Plus" : This is UCP-Suffolk's work facility that operates as any business in providing packaging, assembly, and small mailings for local companies who sub-contract directly with us. We are competitive and offer efficient, quality services with a workforce of individuals with disabilities who are developing their skills for community employment. Visit our web site for more information: www.packageprosplus.com.

Tele-Touch: This is a business start-up to provide employment in telephone customer service. Check out our web page through UCP-Suffolk's main menu or through The Employment Connection's web site.

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