Individual Supported Employment
Individual Supported Employment (ISE) helps people with developmental disabilities or mental health issues find and keep jobs that match their skills and abilities. Our customers hold jobs as diverse as they are, in all types of businesses, such as offices, restaurants, greenhouses and grocery stores.
Our employment specialists help each customer design and achieve a personalized career plan. Services include:
- Assessment - the first step is deciding what you want to do and how to present yourself to potential employers. Your employment specialist will help you set goals, prepare for interviews and succeed on the job.
- Job developing - once you've decided what type of work you want, your employment specialist will help you find the perfect job!
- Job coaching - your employment specialist will learn all aspects of your new job and will provide you with one on one training.
- Help with change - jobs never stay the same for long, so your employment specialist will stay in close contact with you and your employer and help with training whenever needed. Also, if you ever change jobs, we'll be there to help you learn as well.
One customer's story
Bruce was shy and somewhat socially awkward when he entered our ISE program. He was completely undecided about what he wanted to do with his life and had a difficult time imagining what his future might hold. Through volunteering at the North Valley Hospital & Nursing Home, he developed relationships with many of the residents. Career Path Services began job developing at the North Valley Hospital. We worked with the hospital's Director of Support Services and were able to carve a paid position for him in their Housekeeping Department. He is currently employed as a part-time Housekeeping Aide earning an average wage of $8.99 per hour with benefits. In addition to his steady paychecks he has also had a chance to improve his social skills. His friendly attitude is a welcomed addition to their staff. Bruce has a special way of addressing each co-worker and patient by name. He enjoys making small talk with his new friends and brightens up any patient's day. Bruce now has a sense of stability with a future that holds many possibilities, including a career.
Eligibility requirements
You must live in Okanogan County and be referred to us by Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare or your school district to participate in our ISE services. If you do not have a case/resource manager or if you do not know who your case/resource manager is, please call the Division of Developmental Disabilities at (509) 846-2098.
Find out more
Want to learn more about our ISE services? You can:
- Email the program manager
- Call our office at (509) 826-2417
