Job Training

The Arc of the Mid-South provides career development services to people with disabilities.  The Arc of the Mid-South’s Career Development and Job Placement Program works to ensure that people with disabilities have access to real employment with, real wages and the needed supports to obtain and maintain employment in the community. 

The Arc's employment services has a continuous goal of enhancing its services by providing best practices and applying the following values is our approach to job development.

• Presumption of Employment: regardless of the severity of the disability, a individual has the right to work.
• Self Determination: the conviction that a person can regulate their employment path, to choose type of employment, supports and services needed to accomplish their goals.
• Ability Focus: to focus on an individual’s strengths and aspirations and not their disability.
• Commensurate Wage and Benefits: a belief that an individual with a disability can earn wages equal to that of a co-worker performing the same job.
• Best Practices: a commitment to change as dictated by consumer choice, workplace, community and national trends.

The overall benefit to the recipient in the Career Development Program is total inclusion in the workforce. The benefit to the employer is that he will receive a great employee, with specialized supports to train and maintain employment.

Training Topics

Budgeting	Goal Setting
Health/Safety	Social Interactions
Time Management	Proper Dress/Grooming
Interviewing Techniques	Work Habits/Procedures
Verbal/Non-Verbal    Communication	Vocational Assessment

Areas of Employment

Collections	Clerical/Office
Custodial	Food Service
Health Care	Retail/Hospitality
Manufacturing/Production	Telecommunications
Warehouse

Benefits to Employers

Dependability-Surveys show that people with disabilities are dependable and offer stabilization in high turn over positions.

Employers' tax incentives-There are three tax incentives provided by the federal government to businesses to help them offset the cost of accommodations for employees with disabilities.

1. Small business tax credit- IRS code section 44, given to small businesses for making their businesses accessible to persons with disabilities.

2. Architectural/ Transportation tax deduction- IRS code 190, Given to businesses for expenses incurred to removed physical structural, and transportation for persons with disabilities.

3. Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) - provides a tax credit for employers who hire people with disabilities or certain low income groups.

Activities

Graduation - The department conducts a yearly graduation in the month of June. During this time, students who have successfulyl complete the prescribed job readiness training receive certificates of completion. We also recognize our employers and partners during this program including past students.

Job Readiness - Job Readiness training prepares individuals to become more employable by gaining the necessary skills to achieve their employment goals.  The training consists of resume and cover letter building, learning interviewing techniques, how to dress for success, learning how to deal with work place culture, attitudes and behaviors in preparation for competitive and supported employment.

Annual appreciation for Vocational Rehabilitation counselor - This program takes place July of every year. During this time we show appreciation to our counselors for working with us and making referrals. We also use this time to introduce our department to the counselors that are not familiar with what we do.

Training and Follow Along-

Follow along- when our clients are placed on the job we make a life long follow up with both the client and the employers to provide continual support when ever it is necessary.

Vocational Evaluation

Individuals are referred from the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation to evaluate their interest level, knowledge, skills and abilities in order to determine appropriate job placement and educational needs.  

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) of 1990 is the single most powerful disability rights law ever passed. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment and experience, public accommodations, and telecommunications and transportation.

Training Schedule

Career Development and Job Placement Staff

Raye Journigan, Program Manager

Felecia Logan, Assistant Program Manager

Mike Billingsley, Assistant Program Coordinator

Ivy Bennett, Vocational Evaluator

Freda Fowler, Administrative Assistant