Purpose

The work adjustment program improves basic skills necessary to obtain and maintain employment - promptness, dependability, good work quality, efficiency, follow through, the ability to work with others, plus the physical and emotional strength to get through a working day.

These services will affect the adjustments made and develop the competencies necessary for the individual to obtain appropriate employment and function successfully within a work environment.

The work adjustment program is able to provide exposure to a wide range of work experiences, which encourages the client’s adaptation to change in supervision and environment.

The length of the work adjustment program ranges according to individual need.

The program's emphasis is upon development and maintenance or appropriate work behaviors, attitude and interpersonal relationships as related to an actual work situation.

Expected Client Outcomes

At the conclusion of the program it is expected that the client will participate in higher level work programming or obtain employment.

Clients Served

  • Emotionally Disabled
  • Physically Disabled
  • Developmentally Disabled
  • Severely Disabled
  • Those with multiple disabilities
  • Those who have expressed motivation to improve employment potential
  • Those lacking proper work behaviors, knowledge, social skills or work skills necessary for employment

Services Provided

The work adjustment program functions within the framework for the Goodwill Industries operation. The services provide development and maintenance of the client’s capacities to reach their optimal level of vocational potential.

Work adjustment services make provisions for, but are not limited to, the development or improvement of:
  1. Social Skills Training
  2. Work Habit Training
  3. Work Hardening/Stamina Building Personal Hygiene and Grooming
  4. Exposure to Practical Work Experience

Admission Criteria

In addition to meeting all facility admission criteria, the individual served should be lacking the suitable work behaviors, knowledge, skills or physical and emotional tolerances necessary for employment.

The individual’s potential for some type of employment must be evident in the psychological, medical, and vocational information.

Finally, the person must be currently underemployed or unemployed and expressing motivation to improve their employability.

Service Time

Typically this program is authorized in 10-to 20-day increments, with 20 days being the most common duration of service.

Service Location

Goodwill Training Center
600 Hulbert Ave.
Ashtabula, OH 44004

How can an individual access this service?

EDS participants are referred through:

The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
Cleveland BVR Office
14650 Detroit Ave., Ste. 300
Lakewood, OH 44107

Voice: (216)227-3250
TTY: (216)227-3292
FAX: (216)227-3293
Toll-free: (866)325-0026

Program Procedures

  • All individuals receive a client handbook and orientation to the work routine, including discussion of policies and procedures, introduction to work supervisors and explanation of assigned tasks.

  • Placement of client in a specialized work situation is considered dependent upon individual need and skill level.

  • Work stations are selected by the client. The staff members are assigned and are changed as necessary to facilitate the adjustment of the client.

  • Within five days of admission to work adjustment, the initial individual vocational rehabilitation plan is drawn up for each client, which is a cooperative effort between the program manager and the client. This plan is adaptable and may be amended as deemed necessary by the program manager, client and/or referring counselor.

  • Clients are paid minimum wage or above.

  • Periodic “staffings” (biweekly or monthly) provide continued evaluation of the treatment plan and work adjustment program goals.

  • The work slot supervisor is responsible for filling out the program evaluation form (prior to each scheduled staffing or as needed) regarding the client’s work habits, skills and overall progress. This is for review and feedback with the client.

  • Problems and success are addressed during participant conferences. The program manager addresses this information to the client.

  • The program manager makes recommendations to the work slot supervisor for the implementation of strategies for meeting treatment plan goals.

  • The client is made aware of their performance through regular feedback with both their work site supervisor and program manager. This information is also shared with the referring counselor.

  • Client feedback is considered essential during all phases of the work adjustment program.

Referral Source Information and Responsibilities

The referring counselor receives a brief written report on the client’s functioning level based on the program progress report.
The work adjustment program manager may request from the referring counselor additional supporting documentation as needed.

Discharge Criteria

Clients are discharged when completing the program. Prior to a client’s discharge, a final work adjustment staffing is held. At that time, all information is reviewed and recommendations and plans for a smooth transition into the next phase of programming are formalized with the client and rehabilitation team.

A final work adjustment report is sent to the referring agency, summarizing services rendered, problems encountered, worker liabilities and assets, and outcomes of the program. Included in the final report are formal recommendations for other services or programs deemed appropriate.