Community Employment Services (CES)

Providing a full array of vocational and employment services for people across a full range of disabilities. 

Highlights

  • 5500 job hires for people with disabilities in a myriad of industries with an average job retention rate of 7 years. (Since 1986)
  • 650 participants annually
  • 200 business partners in: Rockland, Westchester, and Orange Counties; the Bronx and Northern New Jersey.
  • Our partners span all industries encompassing both family-owned and large corporate businesses creating opportunities at all levels of employment.
  • We provided services in English, Spanish, Creole, and American Sign Language

Program Information

Vocational Assessments

Focused diagnostic assessments and evaluations are designed to investigate, identify, and appraise an individual’s level of capability in relation to vocational preparation, employment selection, and career decision-making.

Pre-Employment Transition Services

Individuals will receive training in: workplace readiness, self-advocacy skills, counseling on post-secondary educational options, job exploration counseling and work-based learning experiences.

Communication Coaching Support Services

Individuals gain deeper understanding of implicit versus explicit rules, perspective thinking, turn-taking in speaking, small talk, conventional gestures, and emotional expression. Communication Coaching employs techniques to compensate for inflexible thinking, slower working memory, and impulse control. The goal of this service is to assist the individual in achieving independent communication and the development of meaningful relationships both in school and in the world of work.

Job Development

When matching job seekers with potential opportunities, Jawonio utilizes its vast network of over 200 business relationships, spanning across a wide range of industries. Job seekers receive job development services including, but not limited to: job search techniques, resume writing, assistance with job applications, mock interviews, identifying & maintaining references and Interview follow-up.

Employment Training Program

Jawonio assists individuals with developmental disabilities in seeking, acquiring & maintaining competitive employment. We also arrange for paid internships that can last up to 12 months. During that time, interns receive intensive support to allow for expanded work skills. The goal of internships is to obtain a permanent position with long-term support services.

Intensive Supported Employment

Our trained employment staff assist individuals to obtain employment. Once employed, our employment counselors act as the liaison between employer and participant. There are regular meetings to provide ongoing support which include but are not limited to: job training, interpreting services, assistive technology, task demonstrations, and worksite safety. Additional supports and services include ongoing counseling to motivate & encourage industry standard performance, job site crisis intervention & advocacy; work environment accommodations; travel training.

Extended Supported Employment

Once a greater level of independence on the job is achieved, our employment staff provide supports tailored to the needs of each individual. Ongoing interventions are provided as needed to ensure job performance standards are maintained. At Jawonio, we know that positive ongoing relationships with our staff directly ties to participants’ success.

Benefits Advisement Counseling

Jawonio assists individuals to achieve a higher quality of life by living and working in their communities of choice. Counseling and education are provided to individuals regarding available resources and incentives as well as to assist in their understanding of the impact of wages on benefits such as: Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Connections/Pre-Employment Program (Westchester Co only)

Mon/Wed/Thurs from 9:30am-2:30pm.
Provides learning experiences where individuals can develop strengths and skills that contribute to an individual’s employability in the community. Services include: personal appearance, goal setting & problem solving, safety & wellness, socialization & communication, tolerance & ethics.

For more information, please contact:

Stacey Kantrowitz, Director Community Employment Services

Stacey.Kantrowitz@jawonio.org
845.814.8406

Isabel Newmeyer, Coordinator of Job Development

Isabel.Newmeyer@jawonio.org
845.814.8412