What is the Employment Services Program
The Arc Prince George's County Employment Services Program offers individuals the opportunity to maximize their employment potential in an integrated work setting, while allowing businesses and other organizations to tap into a labor pool and provide work and training opportunities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
How does it work?
At The Arc, staff will strive to ensure that individuals in the employment services program prosper in their chosen career in an inclusive setting. We take the following steps to ensure success:
- Aggressive, continual community outreach to provide individuals with more employment opportunities and choices.
- Assessments of skills and desires to place individuals in the most appropriate employment settings
- Involvement of individual's support network in the employment process
- On-site job coaching to ensure individual support and success
- Coordination of resources for successful employment including assistance in completing applications, transportation, on the job training
What type of work do individuals in the program do?
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are like non-disabled employees in their skills and interests. Positions filled by Employment Services Program individuals have included:
- Receptionist
- File Clerk
- Warehouse
- Custodian
- Retail
- General Office Work
- Environmental Services Policing Common Grounds
- Food Service
- Child Care
Information for Employers
- Targeted Jobs Tax Credit qualifies a business for a tax credit during the employee's first year of employment.
- The credit is based upon a percentage of the employee's wages.
- The employer will need to complete a one-page form before the employee's first day of work.
- The business will be sent a certification, which is retained for tax records.
- The Department of Labor has authorized (in some cases) a sub-minimum wage, based upon a person's productivity capacity.
- The Department of Labor will issue a certificate directly to the employer.
- No participating employer has incurred any additional costs.
- Studies have shown that Workman's Compensation Rates, Group Health Plans, Pension programs, and related employee benefit programs are not adversely affected by hiring individuals with disabilities.
- Satisfaction in providing a qualified applicant an opportunity to make the most of skills the individual possesses and actively participate within the community
- Contribution to the fiscal well-being of your community by creating a hardworking and responsible tax payer.
- Implementation of affirmative action policies
- Onsite support and problem solving as needed for any person place by The Arc.
Three Models of Employment Services
- An individual is hired by an employer in the community that best matches the individual's skills, abilities, and preferences
- The individual is able to negotiate wages, hours, and benefits, as well as advocate for themselves as any non-disabled person would do with their employer.
- Training is provided, on the job, by an employment specialist
- Follow-along supports will be provided to the individual on a periodic basis after transitioning into the job.
- Once the individual has acquired the skills to be successful in the new position, the employment specialist will "fade out".
- Typically, Two (2) face to face visits, to provide and ensure the person has the assistance necessary to maintain the job.
- Ongoing supports will be provided when the person obtains a new job, receives a promotion, or when there has been a significant change in job duties or responsibilities.
- Job coaching and support will be provided to ensure the success and independence of the individual.
- Small group of individuals (usually 4-6), is hired by an employer ad the same location, but may have different responsibilities.
- Supervised by a Community Integration Specialist.
- This model is usually used in "service-based" industries such as restaurants and hotels.
- Example: The Arc Enclave at University of Maryland Dining Hall
- Small group of individuals (usually 6-8), is hired to work together as a team.
- May work in several locations under the supervision of a Community Integration Specialist
- The provider usually has a contract with the business.
- Individuals receive a paycheck from the provider agency.
- Examples of Mobile Crew Sites:
- Maryland National Capital Park and Planning
- Recycling
- The Arc Cleaning Crew - responsible for the daily cleaning of The Arc's residential homes.
Please contact Employment Services for More Information
Felicia Myers, Program Administrator
240.532.6005 X 6003 | fmyers@thearcofpgc.org
Eugenia Ebb, Program Administrator
240.532.6005 X 6000 | fmyers@thearcofpgc.org
All employee applicants must be approved to receive services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) or have other means to pay for services. For further information on these programs please contact employment services at employsvsinquiries1@thearcofpgc.org or at 301.925.2730 x2229.
Let us know how we can help!
If you have questions about services or programs of The Arc Prince George’s County, or if you need information, please contact us at any time. Our staff are ready to assist you.
