Employment Services

While all of the DDSN Day Services (i.e., Employment Services [Individual and Group], Career Preparation, Community Services, Day Activity and Support Center) can be provided in integrated community settings and can lead to meaningful outcomes, DDSN promotes employment outcomes (and individual employment in particular) as the most meaningful outcome for adults of working age.

Employment Services (Individual and Group) consist of ongoing support that enables participants to perform in work settings. Employment Services may be provided in a community-based, individual job setting or in a community-based group setting such as a job enclave or mobile work crew.

Employment Services (Individual) provided in integrated settings with competitive wages is the first and preferred Day Service option for working-age youth and adults (ages 16-64) who have exited the school and who are eligible for DDSN services. This service is focused on individuals who may not be “qualified” for established jobs as typically described but would be valued employees if customized jobs were developed to match their strengths, interests and skill sets.

Employment Services (Group) may be provided through different models, enclave or mobile work crews. An enclave is a small group of participants who work under the supervision of a staff member of the Employment Services agency in a community-based business/industry. These participants work alongside the employees of the business/industry. A mobile work crew is a small group of participants who work under the supervision of a staff member of the Employment Services agency as a self-contained business. This self-contained business typically moves to different work sites to perform the service offered by the business.

To learn more about the requirements for Employment Services providers see:

Employment Services Standards (PDF)