Gateway Employment Resources, Inc.
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PROGRAM
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Referrals to Gateway Resources come from a variety of sources. In many cases, candidates call for services for themselves. Consumers receiving services through the Montgomery County Offices of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, are primarily referred by the staff of those service systems. We also receive referrals from teachers and transition coordinators of various school districts, independent therapists and counselors, other service providers, family members and friends of consumers.
Click Here for a Referral Form
An Employment Specialist assigned to the participant will perform a phone screening to determine if Gateway's program seems appropriate for the individual. Key considerations are work readiness, transportation and Social Security concerns.
View admission criteria here
Intake and Assessment begins with the Intake Interview. This meeting is held at a convenient location for all parties. Present at this meeting are the participant and members of his/her support team; parents, counselors, residential staff, etc. The purpose of the intake interview is to gain detailed information about the individual's work history, job interests and skill levels. For the Intake a participant should bring photo ID, Social Security Card, a resume (if one is available), and a list of references.
Employment Specialists call references that the participant provided during the Intake Interview to gather information regarding the participant's pre-employment skill level, individual learning style, work attitudes and behaviors, interpersonal skills and level of motivation. Participants’ criminal histories will be checked when necessary.
Pre-Employment training takes place before the job development phase. This phase may include all or some of the following:
* job site visits * discussions on socialization skills, interviewing, etc.
* interest surveys * in/out-office assessments *resume writing
The RISE Group-(Reaching Independence Seeking Employment) was created to meet the needs of those who are not yet ready for community employment. This group meets at Gateway three mornings per week, and when possible it is combined with volunteer work experiences in the afternoon. Session topics include: employment opportunities and interest surveys, how to get and keep a job, appropriate work behaviors, and personal hygiene and grooming. Site visits are made to observe various jobs.
Job Development Begins with the employment specialist providing a job profile detailing the individual's interests, skill levels, limitations, work environment preferences, transportation availability, and the area they live. After the employment specialist meets the individual and a resume is developed, a search begins for the most appropriate jobs through cold calling, the classifieds, the Internet, and contacting our supportive employers. Research begins on transportation routes and potential employers , followed by setting up appointment for applications, interviews, and job shadowing.
Job Coaching will take place as the participant is hired and begins a new position. Each participant will be accompanied to the new job by their Employment Specialist. The purpose of the Job Coaching phase is to ensure that the participant learns the work skills necessary to maintain his or her job. The average amount of time spent on the job by the Employment Specialist is three weeks, or until the participant demonstrates independence in performing the duties of the job. The style of job coaching will depend on each participant's learning style and may incorporate some or all of the following methods:
* direct verbal instruction * demonstration
* physical,verbal, or gestural prompts * charts, schedules
* natural supports (co-workers)
During this Job Coaching phase, Gateway Employment will also provide transportation training and socialization training. Individuals will be accompanied on their bus or train by the Employment Specialist and taught to utilize public transportation independently and safely. Socialization training will include helping the individual to relate to supervisors and co-workers as well as teaching appropriate work behaviors.
As the participant begins to gain independence in all of these areas, the Employment Specialist will begin to fade and provide less direct instruction. Contact will be maintained with the employee and employer through site visits and phone calls to ensure employment success is maintained.
Follow-Up will begin after the initial on-site training. Following is a list of established contacts that are part of Follow-Up. Please note that these are minimum contacts; if more are needed to maintain success on the job, then Employment Specialists are available to provide additional follow-up in the form of re-training, counseling, etc.
2 month phone call to participant and employer
3 month visit to job site
6 month employment update completed by employer and phone call to participant
9 month visit to job site
1st year employment update completed by employer and participant phone call
semi-annual phone call to employer and participant
anniversary employment update completed by employer and phone call to participant
Post Employment needs are determined after three months of successful employment and may include any of the following:
* instruction in daily living skills needed for employment
* community integration on a recreational level
* transportation training for recreational or medical needs
* peer support group
All service provision is based on participant need and available funding.
