Each month, there are approximately thirty individuals who are actively searching for jobs through our placement services. Seeking appropriate employment is an ongoing, never-ending task, and staff are resourceful and creative in their endeavors. New sources and ideas are always welcome in our network.

Supported Employment Services

We assist individuals with severe developmental disabilities in choosing, getting, and keeping competitive employment in the community. A Vocational Counselor works one-on-one with each individual, providing tailored and individualized plans throughout all phases of employment. Consumers in Supported Employment are also entitled to long-term Job Coaching, support, training, and advocacy throughout the life of their employment.

Job Placement Services

Individuals with a wide range of disabilities are eligible for this service. Vocational Counselors assist in finding appropriate employment based on identified strengths, resources, priorities, abilities, and interests. Services are offered in three phases:

• Employment Preparation-initial planning, completing applications, and interviewing skills.
• Job Development/Placement- matching skills to jobs, job analysis, requesting reasonable accommodation, job-carving/re-structuring, and ADA consulting.
• Follow-up- ensuring job retention to 90 days of stable employment, or completing probationary period.

Our employer relations span San Francisco and San Mateo counties. Our current relationships include: AMC Theatres; Bed, Bath and Beyond; Allied Security; Borders Books; and Petco. Long-term employers include: Ace Hardware; Kids-R-Us; Albertsons; Target Stores; Oracle; Home Depot; and Safeway. These are a few of the 50+ businesses where employment opportunities blossom and consumers become part of the community workforce.

Job Coaching Services

This is provided on a one-to-one basis to individuals with disabilities requiring support, training, and assistance in their jobs. We serve San Francisco and San Mateo counties, and provide Job Coaching to over fifty employees in a variety of positions and locations at any given time, in different phases of their jobs.

Once an individual is placed in a position, a Job Coach assists in training on-the-job, as well as off the job. Training varies, and is customized to individual needs. In most cases, the Job Coach provides full intervention when the job starts, and decreases gradually as the individual learns the job and becomes more independent. The Job Coach also provides support and advocacy to ensure a positive work environment. Through Supported Employment Services, individuals are entitled to long-term Job Coaching, where the Job Coach provides "follow-along" services to identify and address potential issues, encourages promotional growth and opportunities, and overall assists in the maintenance of the job.

Job Coaches have been instrumental in helping consumers receive the recognition they deserve on the job. Individuals have received awards for "Employee of the Month" or have been specifically mentioned in customer survey reports, or "secret shopper" reports, recognizing their excellent work performance and dedication to their jobs.

For more information, please contact Rowena Fontanos at rfontanos@janetpomeroy.org or by phone at (415) 665-4109 x1363.