Community Employment Services

Community Employment Services

Community Employment Services

Program Description

Community Employment Services provides the supports necessary for individuals to achieve successful employment in the community.

Services include:

  • Individualized service design and planning
  • Pre-employment assessment
  • Job development
  • Job coaching, if needed
  • Ongoing supports

Additional Supports

Community job trial sites help determine interest and ability.

Program Highlights

  • 24 people with disabilities obtained community employment in the second half of 2018
  • Employment has been secured in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs
  • Some current employers: Steamatics, Ed Miniat, Salina’s, Christ Hospital, DoubleTree, Mariano’s Panera Bread, Jewel-Osco and Culver’s

Testimonials

  • An employer stated, “the employee is fantastic”
  • Commenting on Sertoma staff who support an employee to be successful, one employer stated, “The staff has a high sense of urgency towards our needs and responds very positively.”

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for Community Employment Services, a person must:

  • Demonstrate interest and potential to work in the community
  • Have a reliable, accessible method of transportation available
  • Be willing to fully participate in the services needed to secure employment
  • Be willing to secure/provide the appropriate funding (Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), Medicaid Waiver, private pay)

Location

4343 West 123rd Street
Alsip, IL 60803

Contact Information

Director of Employment Services
708-371-9700 ext. 265

Employee Development Services, EDGE

Program Description

Employee Development Services, EDGE is a time-limited, individualized service that assists individuals seeking employment to develop the skills, attitudes, personal characteristics and work behaviors to achieve positive employment outcomes. EDGE education occurs both on-site and in the community, and includes:

  • Job exploration
  • Volunteering in the community
  • Training at community job sites
  • Computer skills
  • Résumé building
  • Interviewing skills

Additional Supports

  • Service coordination
  • Classroom education
  • Community job exploration

Program Highlights

An example of EDGE success:

After gaining basic cashiering, inventory and customer service skills, an individual has obtained and retained a full-time job for nearly a year already!

Admission Criteria:

To be eligible for EDS (EDGE) you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Be diagnosed with a disability
  • Be interested in working in the community
  • Be willing to participate in the services needed to obtain community employment
  • Obtain the necessary funding (usually the school district) or self-pay

Location

4100 West 127th Street
Alsip, IL 60803

Contact Information

For more information, contact:
Consumer Support Services Coordinator
708-371-9700 ext.352
DDServicesIntake@sertomacentre.org

Youth Empowered for Success (YES)

Program Description

Youth Empowered for Success (YES) is a transitional instructional and community-based program for youth 16-24 with disabilities (developmental, learning, emotional, behavioral, mental illness or dual diagnoses).

YES provides access to career counseling, community employment and vocational rehabilitation services. YES accomplishes this through skills building groups and supervised community learning experiences in employment, recreational and volunteer environments.

Additional Supports

  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Community-based work trials
  • Counseling services available for an additional fee

Program Highlights

Last year YES participants:

  • Participated in 24 different community educational and recreational events
  • Gained knowledge and information about various jobs in the community
  • Learned about opportunities available in the community

Examples include: WDCB Radio Station Tour, Method Products Soapbox Factory Tour, ComEd Energy Hub, Albanese Candy Factory Tour, Lake Michigan Architectural Tour, Chicago History Museum, Bears Training Day Camp

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for YES a person must:

  • Be 16-24 years old
  • Be diagnosed with a disability (intellectual, developmental, learning, emotional or behavioral)
  • Give informed consent to participate
  • Have the ability to self-medicate, if medications are taken during program hours
  • Have funding through a school district, Medicaid or private pay

Location

4100 West 127th Street
Alsip, IL 60803

Contact Information

For more information, contact:
Consumer Support Services Coordinator
708-371-9700 ext. 352
DDServicesIntake@sertomacentre.org