Career Quest is the Vocational Division of Community Quest, Inc. This program was established to meet the vocational needs of low income individuals and their families.
Supported Employment
Definition of Services:
Supported Employment is paid competitive employment for people with disabilities and a demonstrated inability to gain and maintain traditional employment. Supported employment occurs in a variety of normal integrated business environments.
Eligibility:
Supported Employment is intended for individuals for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred or has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a disability. This employment outcome is obtained by providing intensive services and is sustained through the provision of extended services. The level of employment participation may be full or part-time based on the interests and abilities of the individual.
The three phases of Supported Employment are pre-placement, job coaching and supported employment.
Pre-Placement Services is the duration of time spent with the Employment Consultant looking for a job. The consumer receives assistance in completing job applications, resume development, interview role playing and arranging interviews, to name a few.
An Employment Consultant works one-on-one with the consumer to help him/her find a job of their choice in the community.
Job Coaching Services provides the consumer with one-on-one job training in order to learn the essential functions of the job. Once a consumer finds a job that he/she would like, the Employment Consultant goes with them to work to assist in learning there new job. Job coaching is unique to each individual, therefore the duration varies. Once it is determined that the consumer is ready to work on their own, the Employment Consultant fades out and begins follow-along services.
Follow-Along Services is an extended support service to assist the consumer in maintaining employment for the duration of that employment. The Employment Consultant visits the job site at frequent intervals to assist the consumer with any issues or areas that need to be addressed. The Employment Consultant acts as a liaison between the employer and the consumer. The Employment Consultant is just a phone call away and can be accessed as needed.
Consumers in follow-along are welcome to participate in workshops dealing with topics about work. These workshops are a great place to meet with other Career Quest consumers, talk about experiences at work, and build new friendships.
FAQ’s
* I have never worked before so I don’t have any experience.
An Employment Consultant will work closely with you to evaluate your abilities, interests and your transferable skills (skills that you have acquired from doing things other than working). You will be surprised at how many skills you have gained in your life, even if you have never had a paying job.
* I don’t have any idea about what kind of job I want.
Your Employment Consultant will help you to look at your interests and abilities and together you will determine what kinds of jobs you might want to look for. One of the most important facets of Career Quest’s services is matching our consumers with a job that is appropriate for them.
* What if I can’t fill out the job application correctly?
Your Employment Consultant will make sure that your employment applications are completed in a professional manner.
* I have never been on a job interview. I’m really nervous about it.
Before you go on an interview, your Employment Consultant will work with you on what kinds of questions to expect and how to answer them. If you desire, your Consultant will go to the interview with you. Your Consultant will also help you in deciding what to wear to the interview, and how to overcome your nervousness.
* I don’t have transportation. How can I get to interviews? How will I get to work once I find a job?
During the time that you are looking for work, your Employment Consultant will drive you to meet with employers and look for jobs. Transportation to and from work is a major consideration in the job developing process. If you have no other transportation, finding a job at a place that you can easily get to by walking, bus or Access Link, will be a part of the planning process before you begin to actually look for employment. If necessary, your Consultant will teach you how to use public transportation.
* What will happen on my first day of work? I know I’ll be nervous.
Your Employment Consultant will be with you for orientation on your first day of work to make sure that your paperwork is correctly completed, that you understand all your job duties, and that you meet all your co-workers and supervisors.
* How will I learn my job?
Your Employment Consultant will work with you during your initial days at work to help you master all of your job tasks. Your Consultant will also help you learn the other necessary things abo ut the job such as clocking in and out, emergency exits, break times and areas, etc. You will work with your Consultant until both you and your supervisor feel that you are ready to work independently.
*What happens after my training period is completed and my Employment Consultant is no longer coaching me?
Career Quest will provide you with follow along supports for the entire length of your employment. An Employment Consultant will meet with you and your employer every month to ensure that everything on the job is going smoothly. If you are assigned new job tasks, the Consultant will train you to learn them. You or your employer can call the Consultant at any time if issues arise on your job.
Referral Sources:
Referrals to Career Quest’s Supported Employment Program usually come from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Call (609) 677-0421 to learn more about how you may quality for Supported Employment services.
Retention Program – Work First New Jersey (WFNJ)
Definition of Services:
The program provides Post-Employment Retention Services once the clients have obtained jobs. The WFNJ support plan insures that the clients make a successful transition from welfare into the world of work. In this stage clients recieve intensive case management to address all employment barriers regarding childcare, housing and transportation to achieve employment success.
Eligibility:
Atlantic County residents who are receiving welfare assistance.
Referral Source:
Department of Family and Community Development
Career Quest, A Division of Community Quest, Inc.
6814 Tilton Times Plaza
Egg Harbor Twp., NJ 08234
Phone:(609) 677-0421
Fax:(609) 677-0425
