About This Program
The Vocational Program focuses on assisting each person to achieve his or her unique employment goals through diagnostic vocational evaluations, situational assessments, job coaching, job development, job placement and travel training.
Get Started
For information regarding Vocational Services, Transition from School to work, Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation (DVE), Job Development Services, Job Coaching, Travel Training, Supported Employment, Community Pre-Vocational Services:
Contact:
Jeanie Shelton
Assistant Director of Vocational Services
(516) 336-5909 Ext. 286
sheltonj@acld.org
Shannon Gorlesky
Administrator of Vocational Services
(516) 336-5909 Ext. 201 or gorleskys@acld.org
Transition From School to Work
For students with disabilities (under 21 years of age), services are determined by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that is written by the referring school district’s Committee on Special Education (CSE). For people who have transitioned from high school, services are available to those who meet eligibility requirements from the New York State Education Department of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) and/or the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation (DVE)
A DVE is a vocational evaluation process whereby a trained expert meets with an individual to gather information in order to evaluate the person’s skills, potential, interests, abilities and limitations in the workforce. ACLD’s evaluation is comprised of a combination of comprehensive written tests and community-based/school-based individualized situational assessments.
Additional Services
We provide personalized assistance with the goal of job acquisition. Assistance is provided in resumé development, performing job searches, preparing and participating in job interviews and negotiating job offers.
We provide personalized, on-and-off-the-job training to support people with intellectual and or developmental disabilities. Employment opportunities are tailored to the person's strengths. Coaches provide guidance, training, and feedback to improve skills, competency, and compliance with employer expectations. Coaches are a resource for advocacy and can foster the development of natural support relationships in the work environment.
Travel training is offered to people upon job placement if needed. The job coach will assist with developing a travel training plan and will provide on-site training until independence with travel to the work location is achieved.
As one of the largest supported employment providers in New York State, we have successfully placed over 500 employees at 100 different companies over the past 10 years. We work with highly motivated and qualified candidates, matching them with an appropriate job opportunity. Our Job Coaches support people throughout their employment with on-site training and job advancement.
What We Do:
- Train families on the services available
- Determine eligibility of services
- Assess strengths
- Identify support needs
- Plan authorization and implementation
Community Prevocational Services is designed to prepare people with developmental disabilities for paid employment or meaningful community activities, including volunteering. Participants must have a goal of pursuing employment in the future. This is a habilitative service delivered in the community that enables participants to attain the highest level of community engagement in a 1 to 5 ratio. The program engages participants in the OPWDD Discovery Process, person-centered planning to gather specific information which will position the person to achieve employment. The people engage in skill development through work experiences with various employers who partner with the program as well as opportunities to tour various industries and practice interviewing skills. Overall, the program seeks to continually enhance the participant’s knowledge of the world of work requirements and self-advocacy. By the time the person transitions, they should become a qualified and prepared candidate who will be successful in their job of choice.
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