How Grow Helps Individuals Find and Keep Jobs

Supported Employment’s focus is to seek employment opportunities in the community to help individuals achieve their career goals, greater independence and a higher quality of life. Grow has a team of Employment Specialists, including Job Developers, Job Coaches and the Director of Supported Employment, all collaborating on person-centered planning for each individual seeking competitive, gainful employment.

When individuals express interest in obtaining employment,

they work with the Employment Specialists to:

• Build a résumé

• Identify volunteer opportunities to include on their résumés

• Practice interview skills

• Practice job skills

• Visit job sites to explore a variety of work opportunities

• Complete Grow’s ServSafe certification program if applicable

• Apply for jobs

• Arrange a work contract with DDS if one does not exist already

• Use Grow transportation services to ensure access to jobs

• Celebrate interviews completed, insights learned, and job offers

• Continue to hone their skills at the work site

• On-going performance evaluations

Once an individual has been hired, a Job Coach provides meaningful coaching at Grow and at the workplace. The Job Coach attends and monitors every phase of an individual’s shift for as long as those supports are needed or wanted, as the individual masters the job.

Individuals hired earn market wages. Most start at the minimum wage. Many of the individuals enjoy working part-time jobs and a few people work full-time jobs.

Grow’s Supported Employment program is flourishing. More than 30 individuals are working in over 20 companies in the region – and we are working to add more!

Questions? Would you like to learn more? Contact the Director of Supported Employment, Emily Shea, [email protected] or call 781-961-6700 during business hours.