OUR SERVICES
Springfield Employment Solutions
The Arc of the Ozarks is an employment-first organization. We believe each person deserves an opportunity to discover independence through employment.
The Arc's Employment Solutions offers a variety of services to assist individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment in the community. We work with individuals and their support team exploring the different types of employment options and developing a plan that meets their needs. Our services are available in an individualized or small group setting and are community-based. The Arc partners with the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) for Employment Services.
Employment Support for Individuals with Disabilities
Sometimes independence looks like at-home online jobs for individuals with disabilities, or jobs offered by local business, and other times it may mean finding an accessible workplace for someone using a wheelchair or other mobility support.
Career Planning/VR Discovery & Exploration
Once individuals are referred to the program, they will begin working with an Employment Specialist to build a career plan.
Planning activities
- Individuals are referred to the program.
- They will work with an Employment Specialist to build a career plan.
Job Development
Once individuals are referred to Job Development, they will work with an Employment Specialist and Job Coach to start the job search process.
Job Development activities:
- Resume creation
- Filling out and submitting job applications,
- Practicing interview skills,
- Following up on employment leads, and so much more!
Job Coaching
Individuals who obtain employment in the community will receive initial job coaching.
A job coach will:
- Go on-site with the individual to assist them with learning the rules and responsibilities of the job.
- Help develop natural support for the individual to make the fading out process more streamlined.
- Once the individual and business feel comfortable and confident, the job coach will then fade out completely.
Equipping Individuals with Disabilities for Employment
For people with a goal of achieving community employment but who may need additional support to work on job readiness skills, we offer Prevocational Services.
These services assist people with developing general, non-job-specific skills that contribute to their goals of achieving competitive, integrated employment. These skills are also known as “soft skills” or “employability skills” and can assist individuals in making reasonable and continued progress towards their vocational goals.
Follow Along Supports
Employment Solutions will continue to provide support on an as-needed basis to ensure current employment continues to meet the needs of individuals served. Should individuals decide they would like to seek other options, we will provide the support necessary to assist them in creating a new plan for employment.
Employment Opportunities
Auto Detail Shop
Individuals working in the Car Detail Shop will be paid at the rate of the current Missouri state minimum wage.
- A Job Coach helps and supports the individuals served in a 1:4 ratio.
- Individuals are responsible for cleaning the interior and exterior of vehicles.
The Auto Detail Shop partners with the community by accepting referrals directly from Springfield and surrounding areas. Reservations can be made at autodetailshop@thearcoftheozarks.org, Cost for detail service is $40.00. The Auto Detail Shop also partners with local businesses to provide quality services at a reasonable price. We can come to your business!
Shred Services
The Shred Assistants are responsible for the collection, destruction and removal of The Arc and other potential businesses HIPPA and other related sensitive documents. The Shred Assistant is paid at the rate of the current Missouri state minimum wage.
- A Job Coach provides 1:1 help with transportation to and from pick-up and recycling facilities.
- The Arc’s shred service partners with the community by accepting shred materials from local businesses and individuals in the community.
We value and appreciate our community partners. We are always seeking new partnerships with local business. Some of our partners include Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC), The Humane Society, Franklin Recycling Center, CARE Animal Rescue. We provide services to community residents upon request to help with personal or confidential items' disposal.
Recycle
The Recycling Assistants are responsible for collecting items such as cardboard, cans, newspaper, plastics, packaging, etc. from businesses in the community. The Recycling Assistance is paid at the rate of the current Missouri state minimum wage. We currently service OTC and The Arc program offices.
- A Job Coach provides 1:1 assistance with transportation to and from pick-up facilities and to the recycling facilities in the community.
- Items are then processed by removing tape, staples, washing cans and breaking items down to appropriate size for proper recycling and taken to one of the recycling facilities in the community.
A.M. Donuts & Coffee Food Truck
A.M. Donuts & Coffee was established in 2021 and is staffed by individuals with disabilities who cook and serve a variety of coffee and glazed donuts. Individuals working the food truck will be paid at the rate of the current Missouri state minimum wage.
- A Job Coach will help and support the individuals served in a 1:1 ratio.
- Individuals working the food truck are responsible for preparing the donuts, making the coffee, handling money transactions, and interacting with customers.
A.M. Donuts & Coffee partners and provides services to various community events and businesses. Reservations can be made at https://www.amdonutsandcoffee.com/.
VR Summer Work Experience (SWE)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Summer Work Experience is ideally designed for students with disabilities who meet criteria of potential eligibility for VR services. Students must have an IEP or 504 plan and students have a known disability. This Summer Work Experience is provided with approved Missouri VR Community Rehabilitation Programs (CRPs).
Details of participation
- Students must be 16 at the time the SWE plan begins.
- Participants must be students entering their final two years in high school and have no successful formal work experience in a competitive integrated setting.
- Students may participate for a maximum of two years if they have not obtained or maintained successful employment in a competitive integrated setting.
- The VR Summer Work Experience will consist of one, six-week, work-based learning experience during the summer. All six weeks must be completed within an eight-week window of time.
- The total weekly hours will be 20 hours per participant. Most of those hours will be spent engaged in the tasks associated with the job the student was hired to do.
- 20 hours per week may be allocated over a four- or five-day work week. Participants will be paid at the rate specified in State or local minimum wage law, up to 20 hours per week, for the duration of the six-week summer work experience.
- Before, during or after the workday, there will be an expectation that daily discussions will occur, highlighting soft skills.
- The Arc will hire the student as a temporary employee and serve as the employer of record, which will include responsibility for providing liability insurance and workers compensation.
Current work sites partnerships include Millsap Farms, The Discovery Center, Dickerson Park Zoo, The Hive, Rutledge Wilson Farm, and OATs Transportation. We are always seeking new opportunities to partner with local businesses.
Currently Employment Services are available in Springfield, Monett, and Joplin divisions.
Connect & Get Started
We’d love to hear from you! Give us a call or fill out the form below to connect with an Arc team member.
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