EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS & SERVICES

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• The person must have established eligibility for OPWDD waiver services.
• The person must have expressed interest in obtaining a job in the future.
• The person must have an employment-related goal in his or her Life Plan.
• The person must be willing to be trained to travel in the community using public transportation, Access A Ride, car service, etc. Alternatively, the person must have their transportation to the community hub or job site where they will receive services.
• If the person takes medication during the day, they need to be able to take it independently, or they should not take it when they receive services.
• If the person is enrolled in Day Hab Services five days per week, they must be willing to reduce some days in Day Hab Services to accommodate days for any employment-related activities service(s).
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Supportive Employment Services supports individuals in obtaining and maintaining employment in the community. Individuals ready for employment obtain support for job development and retention. Individuals are supported on an ongoing basis to ensure they meet their employer’s expectations and learn additional skills to advance in employment. Individuals must provide their own transportation or be willing to be travel trained. During this time, interns are temporary state employees paid minimum wage and covered under the workers’ compensation and general liability insurance through New York State. People are supported by Lifestyles for the Disabled, as approved by OPWDD Regional Office- ETP Supervisor, in Career Discovery, Job Development, and Intensive Job Coaching. Individuals exposed to vocational training while in High School have some work experience and are ideal candidates for this service. An ETP application must be completed in collaboration with Lifestyles for the Disabled and submitted to and approved by the OPWDD Regional ETP Supervisor before starting services.

Supportive Employment offers job coaching to individuals in the community. Job Coaches assist employees with training, help resolve conflicts with employers, and support job maintenance. Additionally, they provide training focused on skill development outside of the workplace to help employees advance in their current roles or explore other job opportunities.

Community BASED Pre-vocational Services

Community-Based Pre-Vocational is a person-centered service that prepares individuals for paid employment or meaningful unpaid activities in the community. It focuses on teaching pre-employment skills to help the person become as independent as possible on their path to future employment. Individuals must provide transportation or be willing to be taught travel.

Pathways to Employment is a one-on-one employment planning support service for one year. During this time, individuals are exposed to, trained in, and assessed for their career interests to determine the support they need to meet the 

Care Manager will reach out to Lifestyles stating his/her client’s interest and will provide the following documents:

• Copy of OPWDD Waiver Services Notice of Decision. (NOD)
• Annual Physical Exam with PPD and full blood panel within a year.
• Psychological Evaluation within three years.
• Psychosocial Evaluation within three years.
• Most Recent Life Plan
• LOC within a year.
• Copy of Social Security Card.
• Copy of Medicaid Card.
• Copy of Birth Certificate.
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Once documents are received, the Director will meet with the person and his/ her team to start the enrollment process for each service requested.