Employment may mean something different to each person.
Some of the opportunities that MSS can assist you in exploring and securing are supported or competitive employment, micro-enterprises, and self-employment. We offer a wide range of services that can meet you wherever you are on the path to employment and help you find the type of work that is right for you.
Services for Adults
Exploring Employment
The choice to pursue competitive integrated employment is an important decision that impacts all facets of life. We will work with you to make a truly informed choice about pursuing employment by exploring your skills and interests, understanding different types of jobs, and learning about various career paths. Options include:
Employee-Development Services (EDS) (Formerly Work Adjustment Training)
Employee Development Services are individualized services that assist persons seeking employment to develop or reestablish the skills, attitudes, interpersonal skills, work behaviors, and functional capacities necessary to achieve employment. These services are time-limited and take place in integrated community sites.
Employment Exploration Services (EES-Waiver)
Employment Exploration Services help a person gain a better understanding of competitive, integrated employment opportunities in their community. Exploration activities and experiences strengthen a person’s knowledge, interests, and preferences so they can make informed decisions about competitive employment.
Employment Planning Services (EPS) (Formerly Situational Assessments)
Employment Planning Services are designed to assist a person seeking employment to learn about employment opportunities within the community and make informed decisions. Services are individualized and are based on the person’s preferences, strengths, abilities, and needs. Services seek to provide meaningful information and strategies to achieve the goal of employment. Services include:
On-The-Job Evaluation
MSS evaluates and provides an understanding of the person’s skillset as it applies to a specific career or occupational area of interest. Information collected during the evaluation includes job-related skills, interests, work tolerance, suitability of certain types of work, and the need for specific supports, coaching, or training.
Job Tryout
A Job Tryout allows the person to demonstrate their capacity to effectively perform job tasks within an existing position with the employer.
Informational Interview
MSS works to facilitate opportunities for the person to participate in an informal conversation with someone working in a specific career or occupational area of interest. This conversation provides the person with information and advice.
Work Experience
Job Shadowing
MSS provides opportunities for a person to observe different jobs and ask businesses questions about the skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to perform the tasks involved in the job.
Job Seeking Skills Training
MSS provides the person with counseling and/or training to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain competitive integrated employment. This includes assisting an individual in preparing resumes, job applications, and developing job interviewing skills. This service includes training on how to address perceptual barriers of employers and prepare to meet expectations as an employee.
Finding Employment
We offer a range of services that cover all aspects of the job search process. From resume and cover letter writing to interview practice, job application assistance, and soft skills building, our qualified Employment Specialists will help find the right position and the right fit. We network with local business to find supportive employers and positive and welcoming work environments. Options include:
Job Placement
We will help you develop a plan to obtain the job of your choice in competitive employment. Competitive employment takes place in the community when you are hired by and work directly for an employer. The employer will pay you directly, at the same wage as the employer’s other employees without a disability; this is called the customary wage, and it is always equal to or above the minimum wage.
The length of time it takes to obtain a job varies for each person, depending upon many factors such as the availability of jobs that meet your criteria in a given geographic area, the hours you are available to work, and the wage and benefits you desire.
We focus on locating and creating job opportunities that meet your unique desires for employment and contribute to your life goals. Job seekers receive the assistance necessary to create a resume, conduct online and community job searches, polish interview skills, use public transportation, dress for success, and much more.
Employment Development Services (EDS-Waiver)
Individualized services designed to help a person achieve competitive, integrated employment, become self-employed, or establish a microenterprise business in their community.
Maintaining or Advancing in Employment
Finding the right job is just one step in the process; mastering job tasks, learning new skills, and building effective working relationships with supervisors and coworkers all contribute to successful and stable employment. We can provide short- and long-term support to ensure continued workplace stability and explore opportunities for advancement. We can also provide support in the areas of transportation, workplace accommodations, employee advocacy, and supervisor relations.
Support services include:
Job Retention
Employment Support Services (ESS - Waiver)
Short-Term Support Services - Job Coaching
Long-Term Support Services - Extended Employment
Workplace Advocacy and Employer Relations
Services for Students/Young Adults
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
Job Exploration Counseling
Job exploration counseling is intended to foster motivation, consideration of opportunities, and informed decision-making. Job Exploration Counseling may include research, discussion, or information on:
Vocational interests
Skills verification
The labor market
Work-Based Learning Experience
Work Experience
Informational Interviews
Job Shadowing
Postsecondary Education Counseling
Postsecondary education counseling assists students with enrolling or remaining enrolled in postsecondary education or training by helping them to:
Understand how to successfully transition to a postsecondary education or training program
Identify postsecondary education and training options
Understand how their career goals line up with education and training options
Workplace Readiness Training
Workplace readiness training provides opportunities for students to learn:
Communication and interpersonal skills
Employer expectations for punctuality and performance
“Soft” skills necessary for employment
Instruction in Self-Advocacy
Instruction in self-advocacy provides opportunities for students to learn:
How to request accommodations, services, supports, and assistive technology
Their personal rights and responsibilities
HOW OUR SERVICES ARE FUNDED
We will connect you with the people who can help you secure the funding needed for the service(s) you are seeking. Some common forms of funding that pay for our services include Medicaid waivers (DD, CADI/BI), funding through Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DEED), and County of Residence. Other funding sources are EE, ticket to work, private pay, and self-funded options.
“In the years our son has been at MSS, we have never seen such a compassionate, dedicated group. They work with each individual on his or her strengths and then figure out ways to ‘up’ their potential. They truly think outside the box and each person has the opportunity to grow, succeed and be happy.”
For service inquiries, questions about eligibility, or to learn more about Employment Services, please contact us!