WHAT WE DO...
We provide individual placement and support program that provides intense job coaching and follow along services within Lexington and Richland Counties.
Referrals to Work In Progress for these services can be made only through Lexington and Richland County Mental Health Agencies.
The key to our successful program is and has always been the dedication of our 'work candidates'. With much dignity and respect the people that we serve are given the title of work candidate as opposed to client, patient, etc. as they are coming to us for employment assistance, not mental health services. The work candidates support the program through assisting others in finding their way into employment support once an employment opportunity is obtained.
INITIAL INTERVIEW
During the initial interview the work candidate referral would be interviewed by our Director and an Employment Services Specialist (job coach) at Work In Progress to ascertain interest and work aptitudes.
A packet prepared by Work In Progress would be given to the work candidate to take home and fill out, follow through of returning information is the responsibility
of the of the candidate.
Appointments are scheduled for the work candidate with Vocational Rehabilitation and Midlands Technical College. It is at this time the Work In Progress staff would speak with the work candidate about re employment skills (filling out applications, dressing for the employment interview, interviewing skills, etc.).
JOB DEVELOPMENT
Once a work candidate's employment goals have been identified Work In Progress seeks opportunities that suit that person's employment desires and vocational aspirations. We know that placing a person in an employment opportunity that matches their interest and aptitudes leads a person into long term consistent employment in the same employment position.
JOB COACHING
One on one employment task coaching is implemented at the onset of the employment opportunity. The Employment Specialist (job coach) assist the work candidate with learning the correct way to perform the tasks and working with the work candidate at the job site until the work candidate feels comfortable with the demands of the employment opportunity. (It is at the discretion of the Director and the job coach when a person is capable and ready for the job coach to “fade out from the employment site’) Our on site job coaching can last from ½ day to two weeks dependent upon the needs of the work candidate (follow along services are provided for the duration of the employment opportunity)
EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING
A job coach works with the work candidate and supervisors to assist with any retraining or increased responsibilities necessary for the duration of the employment opportunity. Conflict resolution, if necessary, is completed by the Work In Progress staff and anyone involved within the session that chooses to participate.
Follow along services are provided by the Job Coach with backup from the Director of the program on a regular basis. This service is dependent upon the need of the work candidate and the desire by the work candidate for this service. This service is provided for the duration of the employment opportunity. Included within the arena is the WIP Dutch Dinner in which all working work candidates are invited once per month to meet with the other members of the WIP program. This is a relaxed atmosphere at a restaurant of choice where everyone working is allowed a time to voice whatever issues have arisen within their own employment opportunity that might be of help to others as they are faced with similar peer situations at their employment opportunity.
Throughout the success of Work In Progress several of the group have volunteered to educate the community on mental illness and the Benefits of Work. This is an ongoing process which brings ownership for the program to the work candidates.
