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At Vista, we believe everyone is employable.
Our Employment Services program assists individuals on the autism spectrum or with comparable symptomology in obtaining and sustaining meaningful, competitive, and fulfilling employment, while providing appropriate support in the ongoing development of their careers. We also work in close partnership with employers to ensure the right job match that will benefit both parties. Participants in Vista’s Employment Services program gain the support of a multi-disciplinary team, including ACRE-certified staff, to learn new job-specific skills, build new social connections, and develop independence at work with gradually faded support when ready. We offer the following services throughout the job search and employment experience.
A program participant’s career journey begins with our personalized employment assessment. We’ll learn about an individual’s interests, needs, skills and strengths by conducting informational interviews and facilitating trial work experiences. Then we compile an employment profile with recommendations for competitive employment. Employment profile recommendations include: best matching industries, tasks, environments, social conditions, and length of shift.
This phase of the employment journey results in a customized, competitive employment opportunity that is mutually beneficial to both the individual and business. The following services take place leading up to the successful completion of on-boarding requirements and first day of employment.
Once an individual has secured a job, we provide on-site job coaching services to establish the employment relationship and strengthen the individual’s skills toward autonomy. Coaching services may include: • On-site individualized support to learn job responsibilities and expectations of performance • Developing job aides, technological assistance, workplace modifications, and intervention strategies to foster success and independence • Training for employers and coworkers enabling them to provide natural support • Regular follow-up with employer as support fades to ensure continued job fit and employment success Participants in Vista’s Employment Services program also have the opportunity to take part in cooperative education opportunities with local school districts combining classroom-based learning with practical work experience.
As an approved community provider for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Vista provides the following services to individuals: Non-Performance Based Supported Employment (NPBSE) Participants receive supports from a qualified specialist to maintain employment or learn the skills necessary to reduce risk of losing an existing competitively integrated job. Service types include: • Job Mentoring • Job Retention • Intermittent Supported Employment Performance Based Supported Employment (PBSE) Participants receive an intensive method of providing vocational rehabilitation to individuals who require support prior to employment, during initial employment, and after the provision of OVR services to maintain employment. Service types include: • Job Development • Job Placement • Job Maintenance • Job Stabilization • Case Closure • Extended Services Work Experience for Adults (WEXA) Participants receive compensated work geared to the individual’s initial interests and preferences up to 40 hours per week and 12 weeks providing individuals with valuable work experience positioning them for permanent competitively integrated employment opportunities.
Our career development services benefit not just job seekers and employees but employers as well. We support businesses in a variety of ways, including identifying ways to: • Save money • Increase employee satisfaction • Reduce overtime • Improve efficiencies • Enhance the overall quality of the company through hiring practices Any organization open to creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment could be a great fit to work with Vista’s Employment Services program. Visit our community partners page to learn more about collaboration opportunities with Vista.
Vista’s Employment Services program serves individuals seeking competitive employment throughout South Central Pennsylvania, predominantly in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Lebanon counties, as well as portions of York and Lancaster counties.
Learn more about getting started with Vista