Employment Services

 Supported Employment and Employment Preparation

Supported employment is designed for individuals who wish to work in paid employment assisted by a support worker. Employment preparation is designed to get individuals ready to enter the job market as independent workers.
Individuals who possess the requisite skills to become gainfully employed are supported and instructed in what it takes to secure, maintain and to keep a job.
Opportunities to develop skills that enhance self-esteem and to develop peer relationships will lead to community inclusion for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Our staff provides job coaching (at no incremental cost to the employer) at the work site for as long as necessary. The job coach will role model appropriate work ethic and behavior and ease the individual into the work site. This formula has been very successful in helping many of our individuals succeed in real jobs at a competitive salary.
Individuals Skill Levels
We have individuals with a wide range of skills and abilities. Some are capable of independent employment and others will need to be supported by a job coach.
 
Some of the jobs our individuals hold are:
      restaurant dishwasher
   production line worker
      janitorial
      food preparation
      inventory management
      courtesy clerk
     customer service
     product labeling and packaging
 
As employees in these positions develop their skills, they are ready to grow into new challenges, so we are always seeking new opportunities.
 
Commonly asked questions:
Q. Who pays the employee's salary?
A. You, the employer, do just as you would for any other employee.
Q. Who pays the job coach's salary?
A. We do. AIM hires job coaches to provide support directly to individuals in their workplaces if necessary, or to assist individuals to become independent in their jobs.
Q. What if the employee doesn't work out?
A. First A.I.M will identify issues with the employee and set out a plan to correct these issues. The job must be done to the same reasonable standards you have for any employee. If efforts of the A.I.M job coach have not made any progress the employee should be treated as you would any other employee in that situation.
Q. Our business is seasonal, so we cut back hours and staff during the slow season. What happens then?
A. We understand seasonal work and can accommodate layoffs, if necessary. Of course, we will be ready to assist you again with your staffing needs when the work picks up.
Q. I've never employed a developmentally disabled person before. Will I need special training? What about my other staff?
A. AIM will provide you with basic information about the individual who will be joining your business operation. If the individual has any special needs, AIM will advise you and ensure that the support staff or job coach facilitates the transition and makes it as smooth for you as possible.
You will quickly learn about your new employee and what is most effective, the same way you would about any other employee. Clearly your staff will need to know that you've acquired a new staff member and that they should treat him or her with the same professional courtesy you expect them to show others. You’ll find your new employees to be adaptable and eager to fit in.