Networks Supported Living and Employment Services
History
Networks
Employment Services began in 1986, funded through a federal demonstration
grant designed to meet the needs of individuals with physical disabilities.
Since that time, the program has expanded to meet the needs of adults with a
wide range of barriers to independent, competitive employment.
Networks Supported Living Services were piloted in 1980 with the support of the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Division of Independent Living (MRC-IL) to assist students at the Mass Hospital School transition to adult services; today, the program supports through a contract with MRC-IL both young adults transitioning to adult, independent living, and adults already living in the community who need support to maintain their independence. In 1996, Networks began to provide supported living services to individuals supported by the Department of Mental Retardation.
Networks currently helps individuals throughout Southeast Massachusetts and the Metro Boston area who need support in order to live independently. Without the assistance of the program, these individuals would be at risk of living in a much more restrictive environment.
Today, Networks Supported Living & Employment Services are provided in Southeast Massachusetts and metro Boston. Both programs have established contracts with state and private non-profit agencies, supporting individuals living and working independently, and to help these individuals to find solutions to barriers that would otherwise prevent them from achieving their goals and dreams. As requested, private contractual arrangements can be established.
Eligibility Criteria
Employment Services
Networks supports individuals with barriers to employment, including disability related barriers. Services are funded through contracts with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and the Department of Transitional Assistance; contractual arrangements can be established with other state or private agencies, such as schools, as well as directly with families and individuals. Work readiness services for individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome and similar disabilities, funded through a grant of the TJX Foundation, are available. Services are provided to adults and to transitional aged youth. Individuals referred for services funded through state or private agency contracts must meet the eligibility criteria for those agencies; private contractual agreements are negotiable.
Supported Living Services
Networks supports individuals wishing to live independently and who have barriers to doing so. Services are provided to adults and to young adults in transition to adulthood. Transition to independent living services for young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome and similar disabilities, funded through a grant of the TJX Foundation, are available. Networks has contracts with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Supported Living and SHIP Divisions; with the Department of Mental Retardation, with the Boston Community Medical Group and with the Central New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Individuals referred for services funded through state or private agency contracts must meet the eligibility criteria for those agencies; the agency also accepts private payment for services.
Program Components
Networks recognizes the right of each individual to grow, change and to seek personal satisfaction, and supports each individual in developing opportunities to pursue their goals and dreams, including meaningful relationships, satisfying employment, independent community living and personal growth.
Supported Living Services
Networks Supported Living Services shares the philosophy of the independent living movement. Supported Living Services assist individuals to identify and develop the services needed to live independently. The service needs of each individual are assessed in partnership with an assigned case manager; each person receiving services is supported in developing strategies to solve problems and surmount barriers to living independently. Without the support offered by the program, individuals served by the program would be at risk of the loss of independence, or of nursing home or long-term care placement.
Case management services include:
- Assistance with securing an apartment, including support to find and qualify for housing subsidy programs, and housing advocacy;
- Assessment of independent living needs and development of a plan to meet these needs, including adaptive equipment needs;
- As needed, recruitment and management of personal care attendants;
- Financial management support;
- Support in advocating for the service needs of oneself and of others;
- Coordinating healthcare services;
- Support in learning about and entering into educational, vocational, social and recreational opportunities; and
- Support in managing transportation needs.
Services are provided in the home of each individual, within the context of the plan developed by each individual and the program.
For more information about working as a Personal Care Attendant, please contact us at: pca@enableinc.org
To complete an application for employment as a Personal Care Attendant, please complete the application here. Save the application as a word document on your computer, fill it out and email it as an attachment to pca@enableinc.org.
Employment Services
Supported Employment services begin with an in-depth interview designed to clarify vocational goals and needs. Services may include:
- Evaluation Services to clarify goals and the ability of an individual to successfully obtain and maintain employment. Networks uses a variety of assessment tools, including a community-based Situational Assessment services in paid or non-compensated positions.
- A Situational Assessment, designed to offer an individual the opportunity to try working in the field or setting of their choice. Assessments generally last 4-to-6 weeks, and are individually developed to meet the needs and goals of each participant.
- Work readiness services are offered in the form of a seminar series, designed to allow individuals to decide if this is the right time to try working.
- Job Placement Services are comprehensive job-seeking & placement services, including company and job lead development, interview training, on-the-job support, resume revision and development, development of individual job-seeking networks and the use of specialized tools and accommodations.
- Post-placement support services are provided to clients after placement to enhance job retention and satisfaction. These services are used for clients who are currently employed and who need support to focus on interpersonal skill or transition-to-employment issues, cognitive/executive function difficulties, and problems related to learning disabilities.
- Employer support is provided to enhance the opportunities for both employers and employees to build and retain a long-term relationship. Consultation on accommodations, job matching and training are available.
- Pre-placement vocational counseling, including resume development and interview training.
-
Young adult
services include:
- A specialized week-long assessment program, offered to coincide with the public schools spring vacation schedule;
- In-school assessment and vocational placement services;
- Analysis of vocational needs and interests; vocational placement opportunities.
All services are offered in the community, and support individuals as they move toward independent community employment. Participants receive support in developing resumes, interviewing, job matching and on-and-off site job support. Key elements in the success of Networks services are the partnerships the program develops with businesses and other service providers, and the highly individualized model of service delivery.
Organizational Structure and Staff
Networks services are provided through a combination of team and individual support for our clients. Two Supported Living teams and one Employment Services team manage the needs of the individuals served by the program. All staff are professionals with training in rehabilitation or related fields, whose diverse backgrounds and experience support the wide range of needs of our clients. Clients are assigned to individual case managers or vocational specialists, with additional support drawn from other team members. Team Leaders work with the Program Director to share resources and problem-solve; the program is supported by an Administrative team.
