Community Employment Options (CEO) helps Virginia Beach citizens diagnosed with an intellectual disability find meaningful remunerative jobs. CEO services enhance community integration through placement in group or individual employment that increase their earning power, enhance their self-image, and create a sense of pride in their achievements. CEO also provides pre-vocational services that focus on developing basic work skills for individuals interested in future employment opportunities.
Mission Statement
Community Employment Options exists to provide Virginia Beach citizens with intellectual disabilities with efficient effective employment services that will:
•Enhance the quality of their lives
•Increase their opportunities to participate in all aspects of the community
CEO Services
Supported Employment Services
CEO provides Supported Employment services, a highly individualized program aimed at matching the skills and interests of job applicants to positions in which they could be successful. Services include assessment, job development, on-the-job-training, and ongoing supports, such as further skills development, advocacy, and crisis intervention.
Assessment Services
Situational assessments allow the job candidate to try out different types of jobs and working environments before making a commitment to any one job. They also provide the employment specialists with a detailed picture of the job candidate's level of motivation, preferred learning style, understanding of work expectations, specific areas of work interests and strengths, and any accommodations needed to ensure success upon placement in a job.
Job Development Services
The job candidate is assisted by the employment specialist in identifying suitable positions, completing applications, interviewing, and completing any pre-employment activities required by the employer. The employment specialist also coaches the job candidate in appropriate presentation, demeanor, and attire when applying for jobs.
On-Site Training
One-on-one training assistance may include helping with skill acquisition to perform the assigned tasks, setting up task schedules, facilitating the person's integration within the culture of the job (i.e., "learning the ropes"). The employment specialist also develops natural supports, which entails establishing relationships with co-workers that may be able to further guide, train and support the person in her new job after the employment specialist has decreased his or her presence to intermittent visits.
Advocacy, Crisis Intervention, and Career Progression
The follow along phase is designed to provide any supports needed by the individual to maintain his job over the long term. During follow along visits, employment specialists work with the employee and his employer on addressing any issues that may threaten his job. The employment specialist also advocates for more work hours, changing schedules, or additional responsibilities that will help him grow and progress on the job. Re-training and teaching new skills are also part of the services offered by the program during follow along. Based upon the individual's changing needs and interests, the employment specialist will also assist him in obtaining second job to supplement his income or different job if his job interests change.
Enclave Services
Individuals employed in CEO enclave’s work in businesses in the community under the constant supervision of a program staff member. Individuals are employees of the company hosting the group and earn wages ranging from productivity-based to above minimum hourly wages. The group setting allows individuals to earn money while working on developing the basic work and social skills needed to move on to more independent jobs.
Work Incentives Specialist Advocate Services (WISA)
Work Incentives Programs (WIN) were developed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to increase the number of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries who wish to work but also want to preserve their benefits. CEO's Work Incentives Specialist Advocate services (WISA) provide individuals who receive SSI or SSDI with an in-depth benefits analysis using Work World, a specialized software that helps understand the impact of earned income on their benefits. Additionally, the WIS Advocate develops and helps access the work incentive program most appropriate to their situation. These services are available to persons who want to get a job or those who are already employed.
CEO's WISA:
•Works with the individual to help him or her realize income and work incentive potential through Work World Software demonstrations.
•Provides valuable information that helps the individual make informed decisions about work.
•Helps the individual understand the work incentive and what is required.
•Helps the individual gather, organize or write what is needed to apply.
•Helps submit the work incentive application and documentation.
What would you and your family member with a disability get from CEO services?
Supported Employment Services assist your family members to develop their potential as productive members of society. Through the assistance and support provided by employment specialists, persons with intellectual disabilities gain access to a variety of businesses that are in search of dependable employees and are willing to give opportunities to a labor pool of eager, motivated workers.
Employment specialists also assist families in many areas of concern, such as:
•Identifying transportation options for your family member
•Conducting a thorough written analysis of the impact of employment income on government benefits
•Assisting military families to obtain or regain military benefits for their dependent family member with a disability
•Providing the right level of support to maximize the potential for success of your family member
What would your business get from CEO services?
Across the United States, businesses that have hired persons with intellectual disabilities overwhelmingly report a high degree of satisfaction with their performance, dependability, and dedication to their jobs. One of the most attractive features of this mostly untapped labor pool is their excellent job retention rate. In a job market characterized by high worker mobility, businesses are often faced with the high cost of advertising, recruiting, and training new employees. Utilizing CEO services yields immediate benefits to a business by cutting down on recruitment costs, as we bring in qualified, pre-screened job candidates, matched to the positions the business needs to fill.
Business also benefit from:
•A thorough evaluation of the vacant positions to ensure we bring the most qualified candidates.
•A reduction in absenteeism, tardiness, and high turnover prominent in entry level positions.
•Increased productivity.
•A labor pool of conscientious, dedicated workers.
•Training for the new employee based on your specifications, at no cost to the business.
•Ongoing support to the employee hired through CEO to ensure satisfactory job performance, at no cost to the business.
•An enhanced company image through community involvement.
•The knowledge that the company has enabled persons with disabilities to become productive, tax paying members of their community.
•For qualified businesses, a federal tax credit of up to $2400 during the first year of the worker's employment.
•Answers to ADA questions.
Located at:
297 Independence Blvd.
Pembroke 6, Suite 407
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Our Developmental Services Community Employment Options program is CARF certified.