Easter Seals Goodwill Industries’ services primarily focus on employment and related activities. Services are provided for individuals of all educational levels and work experience. Additionally, services are offered that lead to enriched community participation, socialization and/or educational success. Based on individual needs, a program may also combine both an employment and non-employment component. The following provides an overview of each service:
Click on a service or program to read more information.
Community Employment Services
Individual Employment Services
Engagement Services
Educational/Youth & Family Services
Recreation and Community Enrichment Services
Community Employment Services
Community Employment Services are funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and are designed for individuals with developmental disabilities who require full-time support, most typically in an employment setting.
Community Employment Services (CES) provide remunerative work opportunities at a variety of community-based locations for small groups or individuals who are unable to maintain employment without full-time and/or long-term support or who require vocational training to work towards competitive employment. Additional services may include work skills development, transportation services, socialization skills training, and instruction in adult daily living skills.
Greenbrier provides individuals with long-term employment support in a horticulture setting in conjunction with Edgerton Garden Center and the City of New Haven Department of Parks and Trees. This program also offers individuals the opportunity to perform landscaping services within the community.
Blended Program provides program participants with a varied daily schedule. Blending vocational opportunities with community activities, the Blended Program is designed to provide a flexible work schedule to those individuals who prefer or are more suited to part-time employment but request full-time day services.
Individual Employment Services
Individual employment services may combine a variety of pre-employment, job development and post-employment services to maximize a successful job match and job retention. Specific programs are typically designed to serve a defined population or group of people (e.g. Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services(DMHAS) referrals or DDS referrals or persons with a history with the Department of Corrections(DOC) who often are self-referrals) and are staffed with appropriately qualified personnel.
Project HIRE teaches job readiness skills in a classroom setting. Topics include attitude, personal appearance, work ethic, listening skills, interpersonal skills, presentation, accepting diversity, motivation and job retention skills. The course is designed to Help Individuals Reach/Retain Employment.
Job Seeking & Retention Skills Training is designed to prepare individuals for their job search 1:1 with an assigned employment specialist. Emphasis is placed on identifying skills and abilities, developing a resume, interview techniques, completing applications, job retention and networking. This is typically a component of Job Placement Services (see below for additional information).
Job Placement Service provides assistance to individuals in securing competitive employment in their pre-determined area of skill and interest. This assistance can take the form of providing job leads, information and planning for the interview, feedback from the interview, transportation to/from the interview, job counseling and support.
Situational Assessments provide a medium for career exploration in an actual work setting when an individual may be unsure of a vocational goal, needs an opportunity to confirm the appropriateness of an existing goal, or would benefit from the opportunity to preview the tasks of a job to clarify a job goal. Additionally, a situational assessment may be used as an opportunity to help an employer see beyond an inadequate job history or long period of injury or illness and allow an individual to prove an ability to perform the job, possibly resulting in a permanent hire. This is one strategy that may be utilized in the job development process.
Job Coaching and/or Job Retention Support services are available, as needed, to ensure the successful transition to employment. The job coach or employment specialist may assist the individual to learn new tasks and to adjust to the work environment/schedule, or may provide support to the individual outside of the workplace to discuss and counsel around the feelings or practical issues that arise in new situations. Peer support groups may also be used to effectively deal with issues that arise on-the-job such as interpersonal skill development with supervisor and co-workers, financial and money management issues, etc. Job Coaching services typically follow the job placement of an individual who requires additional support to retain the job once employment begins.
Specific individual employment service programs are staffed by appropriately qualified staff, based on the target population served, and provide an array of Individual Employment Services as outlined above, based on need.
IDEA (Individually Developed Employment Assistance) and SHP(Supported Housing Project) programs are funded by DMHAS to provide individual employment services specifically for individuals with psychiatric disabilities, history of substance abuse and those who are homeless (SHP specifically). IES (Individual Employment Services) provides very similar services but typically to program participants sponsored by either DDS or BRS. Pre-employment, job placement and job retention and support services along with general case management are all offered with the ultimate goal of a successful employment outcome. Many individuals receive long-term, intermittent support following placement.
CRS (Community Reentry Services), is specifically designed to assist individuals who have a history with the Department of Corrections. CRS services may begin while an individual is still incarcerated during an “engagement” period, just prior to release from prison. The program begins with a Project HIRE class including topics specific to those with a history with the Department of Corrections. This is followed by a comprehensive needs assessment with each individual to identify other areas of support or need such as financial planning, career development, education, transportation and re-uniting with family members. Some services are provided through linkages with other programs. An extended follow-up period of 18 – 24 months follows job placement to ensure success. Throughout the duration of the program, staff will maintain contact with other service providers providing support such as housing support, alcohol/drug treatment, etc.
Engagement Services
Taking Initiatives Center (TIC) is an inter-agency collaborative designed to assist individuals in taking the next step toward recovery from drug and alcohol abuse and typically. The TIC is a place where people can safely go to talk with peers, consult with counselors, make use of laundry facilities, enjoy a meal, participate in a computer class and attend recovery groups. TIC staff will help people connect with services to prepare for (re)entering the workforce. Participation at the TIC can be the first step on the tough road to recovery.
Educational/Youth & Family Services
Family Learning Center (FLC) for grades K – 8 In collaboration with the Martinez School located in Fair Haven, provides after-school services to help students achieve academic success. Services will be combined with social and recreational activities. Additionally, summer camp provides a structured and fun program for neighborhood youth living in Fair Haven. Parent education and advocacy is the third component of the Family Learning Center with seminars and guest speakers scheduled at intervals during the school year.
Casa Latina is a second Family Learning for middle school youth in the Hill Neighborhood and provides similar services as FLC, including a summer camp.
Recreation and Community Enrichment Services
SPICE (Senior People Involved in Community Enrichment) provides retirement activities and support for individuals with developmental disabilities who have made or are in the process of making the transition from work to retirement. Individuals are assisted in making choices among a variety of activities available, on a daily basis. Most importantly, individuals are assisted in making connections with senior centers and activities within the community.
REC (Recreational Enrichment in the Community) provides after-hours and weekend recreational activities for program participants in CES and SPICE who reside with family or in a community training home. The program offers choices of a variety of community activities and includes transportation services to/from the activities.