Supported Employment

GVRA operates three types of Supported Employment (SE) programs: Traditional SE, Customized SE, and IPS (Individual Placement & Supports) SE. Supported Employment is competitive integrated employment for individuals with the most significant disabilities for whom such employment has not traditionally occurred, or, as the result of a significant disability, requires intensive support services along with extended follow-up for the life of the job in order to achieve and maintain meaningful employment.

Traditional Supported Employment is used for any individual who qualifies for supported employment services and is in need of intensive job coaching, ongoing supports, and extended supports in a traditional job setting.

IPS Supported Employment is an evidence-based model of supported employment for people with significant mental illness. The IPS approach assumes everyone can work with the right supports, and there are no prerequisites (work adjustment, pre-vocational, evaluations, etc.)

Customized Supported Employment refers to competitive integrated employment for an individual with the most significant disability that is based on an individualized determination of the strengths, needs, and interests of the individual with a significant disability. It is negotiated to meet the specific abilities of the individual and the needs of the employer and is carried out through flexible strategies.

GVRA partners with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities for collaborations around the IPS model of Supported Employment (Behavioral Health) and for TSE/CSE for the developmentally disabled population. 

Ongoing supports include periodic job coaching on/off site, regular observation or supervision of the individual, and contact with family, advocacy groups, or other suitable professional or stakeholder to reinforce and stabilize the job placement. It further includes identification and facilitation of natural supports at the worksite, assistive technology when needed, and other supports as needed to ensure stabilization and job retention.

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