Employment Resources

Program Goal

Provides staff support to people with disabilities, assisting with job training, placement, and retention.

The Employment Resources Department is designed to provide employment assistance (obtaining and maintaining competitive employment) within the community to individuals with developmental disabilities, severe physical and/or multiple disabilities, or to those who have traditionally had difficulty in gaining or retaining employment due to other factors. Employment Services utilizes a variety of assessment, placement, and retention services.

Employment Services possess several key features that distinguish it from other, more traditional approaches to job placement. The supported work model relies upon an individualized and comprehensive approach to job placement that proactively addresses frequently identified barriers to employment. Transportation, personal assistance, job site modification and job restructuring are considered on an individualized basis by the person being served and their Employment team. The team creates solutions and advocates for change on behalf of the individual. A successful placement is ensured when the team makes the best possible match between the individual’s abilities and the demands of the local job market.

The primary referral source for services is The Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) with additional referrals received from the Department of Mental Health (DMH). The program is able to support anyone who has been determined eligible for services from our funding partners, which may mean the person does not have a developmental disability. The Department’s current service areas are St. Louis County, St. Louis City, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County in Eastern Missouri, and Cole County, Osage County, Moniteau County, Boone County, and Calloway County in Central Missouri.

Employment Resources

The UCP Heartland Employment Resources program helps people living with disabilities identify their skills and interests to achieve a job of their choice. The program provides support to help job candidates develop relationships with co-workers, create a support network and shape their careers. Employment Resources helps program participants work toward independence.

Program Participants Receive:

Discovery & Exploration – Involves working with the individual to determine and create a vocational profile identifying strengths, support needs, preferences and parameters that may impact employment. Funded by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH) – this is typically a 6-8 week process.

Job Preparation – Involves assisting the individual in preparing for the world of work. This may involve on-site services that include social skills, resume development, interview skills, etc. or off-site through supported community volunteerism. These services are funded by the Department of Mental Health (DMH).

Job Development – Using the information obtained during the discovery/exploration or job preparation process, employment staff begins the job search. This involves contacting specific employers, creating resumes, completing applications, assisting with interviews, job negotiation, etc. These services are primarily funded by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) or the Department of Mental Health (DMH).

Job Coaching – Once a job is secured, employment staff will assist the individual with the arrangement of transportation services, job site modifications and assistive technology, and any new hire paperwork that is required, as needed. Employment staff then may work alongside the individual to provide systematic training on the job and related skills ensuring that the job requirements are being met during training. This includes the coordination and facilitation of communication between the newly employed person and their co-workers and supervisors. As the person gains independence within their new job, employment staff implements a plan to fade the amount of support provided. These services are funded by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) or the Department of Mental Health (DMH).

Follow Along or Job Retention – The purpose of job retention services is to assist persons served in maintaining (retaining) employment. Job retention services include a minimum of twice-monthly contact with either the employer and/or the persons served. Services fluctuate based upon the supports needed. The focus is on job satisfaction, job skill performance, appropriateness of assistive devices or job site modifications, continued career development and continued development of needed supports. These services are funded by the Productive Living Board (PLB) for St. Louis County residents, Developmental Disabilities Resources (DDR) for St. Louis City residents, Developmental Disabilities Resource Board (DDRB) for St. Charles County residents, or Developmental Disabilities Advocacy (DDA) for Jefferson County residents.

Brain Injury Employment Services

Employment Services Plus for TBI – with VR

Vocational services for individuals who have experienced a brain injury include employment preparedness, job development, and employment retention services such as:

• • Identifying and refining realistic vocational goals
  • Determining accommodations that will be needed for successful employment
  • Preparing for interviews
  • Securing a job offer
  • Self-advocacy
  • Negotiating accommodations

Return to work for individuals with brain injury is a very specialized service we offer through Vocational Rehabilitation that supports individuals in returning to their career after an injury.

MO DHSS Adult Brain Injury

Prevocational Training (PreVoc)

This service uses actual work experience to promote the participant’s utilization of behavioral and/or cognitive compensatory strategies in a facility-based or a community site work setting. Specific target goals are identified for interventions such as production rate, inappropriate social behavior, or fatigue that are barriers to direct vocational placement or entry into Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) services.

Supported Employment Long-Term Follow Along

Supported Employment/Follow Along is a service that provides continued support and training in an integrated work setting for participants who have completed the Supported Employment Program through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and require additional intervention.

Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP)

UCP Heartland has 2 Summer Work Experience Programs for high school students. Both programs are work-based learning experiences in a competitive integrated setting for students with disabilities to obtain work experience prior to graduation. Each program has different requirements and eligibility criteria.

SB40 funded SWEP program (8 weeks), in partnership with lead agency Mers Goodwill:

Vocational Rehabilitation SWE Program (6 weeks):

Employment Resources

Community Services North
4645 LaGuardia Drive
Berkeley, MO 63134

Gibbs Center for Independence
1719 Southridge Dr.
Jefferson City, MO 65109

For more information or to sign up, contact:

Richard Coleman
Director of Employment Resources
[email protected]
(314) 994-1600 x318

Program Highlights