Goodwill accepts referrals from both the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) and the community for participation in our Workforce Development program. The following is a list and short description of each service offered under our Workforce Development Program.

Work Adjustment Training

Work Adjustment Training is designed to establish appropriate social behaviors and work habits necessary to successfully obtain and maintain competitive employment, and is based on information obtained from the consumer and the referral source.
 

Description of Services:

• A minimum of 25 hours per calendar week of training must be offered.

• Training will utilize “real” work – that is, work that produces revenue for Goodwill Industries and compensation for the consumer.

• Training will be on site at Goodwill Industries in a training site decided upon by the staff and consumer.
• Staff will motivate the consumer to do productive work, to be self reliant, to accept supervision, and relate properly to co-workers.
• Staff will help consumer develop work tolerance, good work practices (including safety and speed), and job readiness based on community standards.

Job Quest Training

Job Quest Training is a complex combination of classroom services, some or all of which may be provided to prepare a consumer for the job search. These services include:

Description of Services:

• Job Application - Assist and/or train the consumer in the skills necessary to accurately complete job applications. Description of services/outcome:

  • Consumer develops a data sheet.
  • Consumer demonstrates the ability to use the data sheet and other prompts necessary to complete the job application.
• Interviewing Skills Training - This training reinforces essential skills and teaches new skills necessary for conducting a successful job interview. Trainer will supply a narrative report stating that:
  • The consumer completed three video and audio-recorded interviews and viewed them with staff.
  • There was a face-to-face discussion after each recorded interview.
  • Areas that need improvement were discussed after each recorded interview.
  Examples of areas covered include appearance, attentiveness, confidence, motivation, and communication skills.
• Job Seeking Skills Training - This service is designed to assist the consumer in development of those skills necessary to conduct a job search. Description of service/outcome:
  • Consumer lists people and resources that can help the consumer obtain a job (e.g. family, friends, past employers and co-workers, yellow pages, newspaper, internet).
  • Consumer calls contact person, describing the consumer’s skills and/or experience, and asks the contact to help, e.g.:
    • Write a letter of reference
    • Be used as a reference
    • Notify consumer about job openings
  • Consumer demonstrates the skills necessary to develop job leads through the utilization of job postings, classifieds, TWC, etc.
  • Consumer demonstrates the ability to research prospective employers.
• Resume Development - A service designed to assist the consumer in developing a completed resume.

Job Development/Job Placement

Placement is the process of:

Description of Services:

• Locating employment that is consistent with the consumer’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice; and
• Identifying, providing, or coordinating support services necessary for the consumer to stay on a job.

Personal-Social Adjustment Training (PSAT)

A minimum of five hours per calendar week of PSAT is offered. The training assists the consumer in:

Description of Services:

• Developing socially acceptable behavior;
• Developing or restoring confidence in self and others; and
• Understanding motivation and behavior in self and others.

Job Coaching

A Job Coach provides on-site job training for consumers needing:

• Assistance in adjusting to employment
• Instruction in learning the skills necessary to perform a job competently, and
• Training in the use of transportation services for applicants and consumers to access services and employment.

Description of Services:

• Train applicants and consumers to use public transportation services or other means of transportation to help applicants and consumers access services and employment.
• Work side-by-side with a newly placed consumer at a job site.
• Analyze the job, and break into manageable components.
• Identify and solve problems before they become crises for the consumer, employer, or co-worker.
• Teach effective job keeping skills to the consumer.
• Use the least intrusive methods possible on the job.
• Gradually reduce the time spent at the job site as the consumer becomes better adjusted and more independent.

Supported Employment

Supported employment (SE) provides competitive employment in the community for consumers with the most significant disabilities who

• need individualized assistance finding an appropriate job match, and

• will require ongoing accommodations and support within their work environment.

Consumers who benefit from supported employment services are those for whom traditional vocational rehabilitation approaches and training programs have not been effective.

Although consumers can work competitively, they need assistance to

• compete in the open market,

• be represented to potential employers, and

• receive on-going supports to maintain the job.

Supported employment services finds the best possible match between consumer skills, interests, abilities and support needs and the employer’s unmet needs. The employment specialist puts support in place or arranges for supports to be in place to accommodate these consumers.

“Place then train," the concept used to describe supported employment, is a two-part process:

• first, place individuals with significant disabilities in competitive jobs; and

• second, provide training and support directly related to the job.

Consumers eligible for supported employment services are those:

• who have a significant disability;

• who require considerable assistance competing in the open job market;

• who have not benefited from traditional vocational rehabilitation services;

• for whom competitive employment has not occurred or has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of a significant disability;

• who have had difficulty finding the appropriate job match.

For questions or more information about any of the above services please contact May Adams at 936-632-8838 or may.adams@lufkingoodwill.org