Supported Employment & Vocational Training at Ridge Area Arc
Supportive Employment Services at Ridge Area Arc gets individuals with disabilities to competitive integrated employment thereby reducing a life-long reliance on governmental programs and stay independent.
Ridge Area Arc Employment Services provides for qualified individuals:
- Job placement
- Work experience opportunities
- Employability skills training
- Job Coaching
- On The Job Training
- Follow-along service, as needed
All job seekers go through a screening process to determine their interests, skills, and abilities and Arc matches those to the job most suited to them.
This comprehensive service is offered to job seekers by providing placement and training services to meet entry-level job requirements. This service is provided at no cost to the employer or employee.
EJ’s story:
Cowpoke’s Watering Hole in Avon Park has recently hosted Eugene’s on-the-job training with Ridge Area Arc. Eugene, “EJ” has been trained by Ron, the dishwasher on staff on Thursdays and Fridays. With these two shifts per week, EJ has been able to acclimate to the work environment–developing social skills, finding where the plethora of dishes are kept, learning sanitation practices, and spraying and washing dishes as the bussers deliver them.
EJ found the culture at Cowpoke’s Watering Hole impressive, saying, “It is a welcoming atmosphere. Everyone said, ‘Welcome to the team!’ they have been very friendly.”
Thank you, Teresa Hinote and the Cowpoke’s Watering Hole staff for contributing to the employment of individuals with disabilities in our community.
Benefits to Employers
- Prescreened Referrals
- Applicant screening to ensure that only interested and qualified candidates are considered.
- Education Seminars
- Arc staff can help educate supervisors and co-workers about working with someone with a disability.
- Reduced Training Costs
- Trainers are available at no cost or liability to the employer to assure that the highest standards of quality and safety are met. This can include additional training at the employer’s request for job duty expansion or additional skill requirements.
We work closely with employers to understand and meet their recruiting, hiring, and retention needs for successful outcomes.
Ridge Area Arc is a partner agency of United Way of Central Florida, providing Adult Day Training, Supportive Employment and Residential Services to individuals in Highlands County. The Adult Day Training program offers individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to receive training that will lead to employment and independence.
Thank you, Ridge Area Arc!
