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KSI
REHABILITATION & EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Program Options
Facility-based
Work Service Programs
Facility-based
work service programs are designed to provide
opportunities and training across a broad spectrum of
individual needs. Activities provide for group and
individual instruction in areas such as direction
following, attention to task, sequencing, enumeration,
sight-reading, matching to sample, appropriate work
behaviors, productivity, social interaction, and job
readiness skills. Program activities are designed
to provide exposure and transferable skills training in
order to maximize each participant's personal
development. Individual Support Plans are developed
and reviewed every 6 months at least to provide an
individual needs based program plan. Most
participants attend on a long term basis while some
individuals choose and progress into other programs which
primarily entail employment (Support Employment I &
II). Referrals are made to employment options as
individuals develop employment related preference and
skills. Door to door transportation is provided to
all participants.
KSI has
operated a cafeteria for the individuals in its Milford facility since
January 1990. It serves a hot, nutritious lunch and two
nutritious snacks everyday. There is no charge for the lunches
and snacks, and U.S. Department of Agriculture funding covers most of
the cost. In addition to providing lunches and snacks, the
cafeteria provides training and employment opportunities.
Community-based
Work Service Programs (Supported Employment)
Supported
Employment I consists primarily of work crews
(enclaves). It may include custodial crews as
well. In this program, small groups of KSI
participant employees work in industrial settings or
other businesses under KSI supervision. Full time
KSI supervision provides the training, supports and
services on a continuous basis. This program
provides work in community settings to participants who
need special support. Participants in this program
earn commensurate wages in accordance with U.S.
Department of Labor regulations. They are KSI
employees and are eligible for a variety of employment
benefits.
Door to door
transportation is provided for all participants in the
program. In a rural area where public
transportation is difficult to secure, this service is
critical in determining the feasibility of community
employment for many individuals. Integration and
inclusion are two of the goals of this program.
Many of the work crew sites include individuals without
disabilities. The majority of the host companies
include KSI work crew members in several of the host
company functions, e.g. picnics, in services, award
banquets, etc.
Supported
Employment I may represent the optimal level or desire of
employment for some individuals. Through the
Individuals Support Planning process, all participants
are encouraged and assisted to work toward whatever type
of employment represents their preferences and
capabilities. Referrals are made to other
employment programs when applicable.
Follow-along
Program (Supported Employment II)
Supported
Employment II is the Follow-along or long term support
phase of Supported Employment.
Following Division of Vocational Rehabilitation funded
assessment, job development, training, and fading, a KSI
staff member provides DDDS funded long term support
services in order to maintain the participant's
employment. Follow-along services are provided on a
frequent, regular basis and in response to job related
needs of the participant.
Participants
in Supported Employment II are employees of the company
in which they work and earn at least minimum wage in
addition to employee benefits which may be offered by the
employer. Integration is considered optimal in
Supported Employment II as each participant works
alongside his/her fellow coworkers. To the maximum
extent possible, "natural supports" are used in
meeting each participant's work related needs such as
transportation.
For most
individuals, this program represents an optimal level of
employment; however, the Individual Support planning
process provides for semi-annual review and re-evaluation
of individual preferences and progress to optimize their
success.
Evaluation
KSI provides
assessments from Full Vocational Evaluation (4 weeks) to
Abbreviated Assessment (5 days) and anything in between,
based on the individual needs. Evaluations help the
participants determine strengths, limitations, interests,
and a course for future services and goals.
Work
Adjustment Training
This program
is an intensive training service designed to assist
individuals in training for independent employment.
Either in KSI's production facility or in a community
work site. Work Adjustment Trainees work on skills needed
to maintain employment, such as good attendance,
consistent quality, high productivity, and good
interaction skills.
Harry Perry hard at work for the past seventeen years at
McDonald's Rt. 10 in Dover, DE.
Note: All
programs could be expanded based on individual and
funding source preference.
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