Reday to Work Program
Employment Services, also known as Ready to Work, provides pre-employment, job development, job placement and post-employment follow along for clients who have a variety of disabilities and a wide range of severity. Clients are referred to Goodwill by the Department of Rehabilitation. Depending on the need, some clients may receive job coaching services also; however, the majority of the clients are ready to work with a short amount of assistance from the Goodwill Employment Services Specialist.
Client Profile
Jose was referred for job placement services in May of 2003 with an employment goal of Stock Clerk. Jose is a monolingual 30-year-old Mexican male. He completed 3 years of education in Mexico and resides with relatives. Jose's disabilities, though indistinct, were most clearly stated as having a poor educational history as well as some organically based difficulties closely associated with organic brain syndrome, a speech impairment, visual difficulties secondary to having crossed-eyes, and he requires a good deal of guidance and reinforcement. Shortly before coming to Goodwill for job placement Jose underwent an operation for deformity of his feet. Jose's mode of transportation was on foot, or obtaining rides from family, or the public bus system. After Jose recuperated from his foot surgery, we continued the job search process.
Jose was very motivated to work but understood that with his disabilities it might take time to find a job where he would be successful. After a short time in job search, it became apparent Jose's work pace wasn't fast enough to obtain a stock clerk position at night and due to his lack of English skills could not provide the customer service necessary for daytime stock clerks. In August of 2003, the Employment Services Specialist had extensive conversations with the overnight manager of a local department store, and Jose was hired as an overnight Team Member. The department store has a large Hispanic population and Jose would be able to communicate effectively. His job duties were to pick up the cardboard boxes as the stock team emptied them, break down the boxes, and put them into bales.
In collaboration with job coaches from the Department of Rehabilitation and Goodwill staff, Jose was able to receive on site job coaching during his midnight to 8:00 a.m. shifts. Having a coach was essential for Jose's success on the job. Jose's work speed and cognitive abilities were a concern for the management team. The job coaches kept open communication with the night manager and worked with the store needs and Jose's needs to find compromises resulting in an environment accepting of Jose's limits. After intensive job coach assistance, Jose successfully passed his 90-day probation period and was permanently hired at the department store. He continues to work there successfully and is an asset to the overall success of the department store.
