Supported Employment means Working with Employers, too!

By -

We work with our clients as well as their employers, too. We promote inclusive atmospheres within the workplace so everyone can be happy working as a team!

Location: Richmond, VA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts!

Helping High School Students Prepare For The Real World Through Project SEARCH

By Anonymous -
Image
The Choice Group works collaboratively with DARS, local school districts, and area hospitals to provide students ages 18-22 with a unique post-secondary job-training experience. The end-goal of the program is quite simple… competitive employment in the community. Although the program was virtual at the start of COVID, Ericka Neville, manager of Hampton Roads, was able to re-open this past Spring while observing all COVID-19 guidelines.  Over the course of a typical school year, each participant is afforded the opportunity to complete three ten-week internships in a variety of settings across the hospital. By gaining these real-world work experiences and transferable skills, the interns are equipped with the tools necessary to be successful and valuable employees in a competitive job market. The goal for each high school student participant is competitive employment. To reach that goal, the program provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and indepe...
Read more

Ethan's Success Story!

By -
Image
I like to refer to Ethan as the "Big Ben" of our local Wegman's. As a diehard Pittsburg Steelers fan, Ethan certainly knows to take this as a compliment. He is approaching the completion of his first year of employment as a Helping Hands Cart Attendant and has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and winning attitude on and off the "field".  Ethan began job assessments with me in 2015 and I quickly noted both his eagerness to learn and willingness to work. It was not long after beginning job development that Ethan interviewed for and was offered his current position at Wegman's. Despite this being his very first job, Ethan showed a high level of initiative and resolve through his initial training and was soon working independently to collect carts, greet customers and assist with carry-out orders. The Helping Hands position is a tough one as employees work outdoors in the summer and winter months, but Ethan has not once complained about his wo...
Read more

Building Confidence, Skills, and Independence: Dexter’s Journey

By -
Image
By: Billy Kraus, Employment Counselor Service Area: Virtual PEERS courses throughout Virginia When I first began working with Dexter in December 2024, he was a bright, kind, and creative young man with a goal that so many of our students share. He wanted meaningful work, real independence, and a chance to contribute in a workplace where he could thrive. What he needed most was support building his confidence and strengthening his communication skills so he could feel prepared stepping into competitive employment. Through several months of Pre-Employment Transition Services and Situational Assessments, we were able to better understand Dexter’s strengths, interests, and needs. From there, he participated in our PEERS Social Skills course. This turned out to be a truly pivotal experience for him. During the program, Dexter practiced social awareness, communication strategies, and real world interaction skills. Over time, I watched him gain confidence, find his voice, and begin to truly b...
Read more

A Brief Timeline of the Virginians with Disabilities Act

By -
Image
Did you know Virginia had its own disability rights law five years before the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed? The Virginians with Disabilities Act (VDA) was signed into law in 1985 and has been protecting the rights of millions of people with disabilities across the Commonwealth ever since. Learn more about how this important law has evolved over the years in the timeline below. 1950s – Virginia passes its first white cane laws, requiring drivers to yield to pedestrians with vision loss and making it illegal for anyone without a disability to carry a white cane. These laws lay early groundwork for disability protections in the state. 1973 – The federal Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in federally funded programs, influencing state-level efforts across the country. 1984 – The Virginians with Disabilities Act (VDA) is introduced to the General Assembly. The bill aims to expand protections to people with both physical and mental ...
Read more