Supported Employment Program
Many individuals with disabilities may have trouble securing employment, but with the help of Bell’s Supported Employment Program, or SEP, those individuals are able to get support on and off the jobsite. With the assistance of a job coach, participants are provided with social and vocational rehabilitation, training them in a specific trade with the aim of gaining employment. SEP provides participants with the necessary skills to allow them to be part of the competitive work force while identifying their skills and interests. Through the help of SEP and a job coach, participants are able to achieve meaningful employment.
The Aims of Supported Employment
- Aid in the integration of people with disabilities into paid employment
- Provide side by side training and support to assist with this integration process
- Meet the requirements of employers
- Build natural supports within the work environment
- Execute job modifications and adaptations
- Assess the employees’ skills in relation to job description
- Provide further training if needed
- Provide long term support for both the employee and employer
What is a Job Coach?
Through SEP, participants are provided with a job coach who will assist them in narrowing down their talents, skills, and interests. Participants work with the job coach to find a suitable work environment that will help develop their vocational skills.
Participants are to carry out certain arrangements with their job coach to enhance the participants’ familiarity and understanding of roles within the work place. The provisions made with the job coach are to be long term, to ensure progress is being made within the program.
Responsibilities of a Job Coach
With the help of a job coach, participants are trained and placed in employment to maximize advancement and long-term success in the labor force. The job coach will provide one-on-one assistance to the new employee, which includes follow-up visits with both the participants and employers to ensure ongoing satisfaction with the overall program.
Supports for the Employee
- Provides training and support to employee
- Helps correct errors and conflicts
- Creates job modifications
- Listens to the employees concerns
- Encourages new employee to be successful
The Function of SEP
Services provided by SEP are customized to each participant and the employer so that we may provide services accordingly. The goal of the Supported Employment Program is to match highly motivated and qualified individuals with disabilities to identified employer needs.
For more information contact Supported Employment Program @ 717-848-5767, ext. 201