DD/DVR Team Creating Waves

Our DD/DVR staff in Colville, Omak, Republic, Spokane, and Wenatchee provide services to individuals with disabilities, who are referred to us through several different programs.Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) – Individuals with a broad range of disabilities may access services through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) meet with individuals to determine eligibility for DVR and develop a plan with the client. VRCs refer clients to Community Rehabilitation Partners (CRPs), such as Career Path Services. Career Path Services works with DVR in the following counties: Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Stevens, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and part of Grant County. Career Path Services can provide the following services to DVR clients: Trial Work Experience, Community Based Assessment, Job Placement, Intensive Training, Job Retention, Independent Living Evaluations, Independent Living Skills Training, Independent Living Work-Related Systems Access, and WorkStrides. For more information on these services, visit the DVR website at www.dshs.wa.gov/dvr.

Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) –Similar to services through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Department of Services for the Blind works with individuals with visual impairments to meet their vocational goals. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors refer clients to Career Path Services for employment services. For more information, visit the DSB website at www.dsb.wa.gov.

Division of Developmental Disabilities – Our offices in Colville, Omak, Republic, and Spokane are contracted to provide employment services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Individuals enrolled in the Individual Supported Employment (ISE) program receive assistance with job preparation, job development, job placement, retention, and follow along services. Employment Specialists work with clients and families to develop individual plans for employment. Once a job placement is obtained, Employment Specialists support the client and employer to ensure that training needs, productivity, and performance are met in the workplace. This includes working side by side with a client to help them to learn their job tasks.  In retention and follow along, Employment Specialists work with employers and clients to address career progression and any follow up training needs.

Individuals of retirement age, or as approved by DDD may also be eligible for Community Access Services. These services are designed to assist clients to make meaningful connections in their community, engage in relationship-building activities, and integrate into their local communities.

Referrals are received from Spokane County, New Alliance Counseling Services, or Okanogan Behavioral Healthcare.  If you are interested in receiving services, please contact your DDD case manager.

School District Transition Programs – Our Omak Office contracts with both the Omak and Okanogan School Districts to provide employment services to transition age students (16-21). Students are referred to the program by their teacher or case manager. Students are placed in unpaid work experiences in their field of interest and Employment Specialists work with them to target paid employment during the school year. Students also participate in one on one or group career exploration and soft skills training.

That is a huge array of services! What benefits are there to employers who hire from within your program(s)?
Our staff can assist employers by pre-screening potential employees at no-cost to you. We’ll only refer candidates that match the employers’ requirements. This can include obtaining preliminary criminal background checks.

We also assist employers to access bonding services. Bonding is an insurance to protect employers against employee dishonesty. This is a no-cost program provided by Washington State.

We help employers take advantage of tax credits. We can provide you with up-to- date information on tax credits available for your new hires; assist you to complete and submit paperwork to take advantage of tax credits; and provide you with tools to utilize to ensure that you take advantage of these credits on all eligible employees.

Our Employment Specialists also provide support through retention services and in our ISE program, long-term follow along. These services can include monitoring productivity and performance, coaching employees to improve work related behavior and communication, and training employees to perform new tasks.

What is your role as the program director?

As Director of Vocational Rehabilitation, I manage the day to day operations of both our Wenatchee and Omak locations. I also oversee our DD/DVR units in Spokane and Colville.

Guide me through steps a client would take to become employed through your program.

If you are referred to Career Path Services, here’s what you can expect.

1. An Employment Specialist will contact you to schedule the orientation and intake.
2. Orientation may take place in a one on one or in a group setting. This is where you learn about Career Path Services and what to expect from services. You’ll also complete some initial paperwork.
3. Next, you will be scheduled to meet one on one with an Employment Specialist to determine build your Individual Service Plan. This is where we mutually decide what goals you are targeting and how we will work together to meet your employment goals.  We want to be sure that we are targeting employment that matches your skills, abilities, and preferences. This will include agreeing on how often you will meet, what types of employers you’ll target first, etc.
4. Your Employment Specialist will schedule you for job development. They will also job develop on your behalf and notify you of any job listings. You’ll meet regularly to get your resume updated or developed, complete applications, and check in.
5. In most instances, you will also be asked to participate in job club. These can be called different things in different offices. For example, “Job Club”, “Career Club”, or “Career Central”. Here you will gain skills in resume development, application preparation, interview skills, and much more.

Do you have any words of advice you would give to clients seeking job placement? 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help in your job search. The best thing to do to obtain a job quickly is to follow the steps and follow through. Be sure to be on time for appointments, follow up on what you have agreed on, and act quickly on job leads. There is a job out there for you and we are committed to helping you find the right match!

How do employers and job seekers contact you for more information about available services?