Career Solutions
Our Career Solutions Department provides customized training and supported employment for individuals with Down syndrome. Our team is dedicated to making sure that our members find a job where they can thrive and make a difference for years to come.
Pre-Employment Training
(Pre-ETS)
Pre-Employment Training Services (Pre-ETS) is a program for high school students (14-21) to prepare them for the public world beyond high school, most notably the workplace and post-secondary education. This program is run at no cost to the family and is aimed at providing practical training for our high school students to learn to become competent students and workers.
Supported Employment
This program is funded by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Medicaid waivers.
We pride ourselves on getting to know our members extremely well, allowing us to match their skills, talents, and personalities to employers whom we trust.
Our Employment Partners
We support over 60 employees in the Louisville area, helping them to make positive contributions to their places of employment, and promoting to the public their skills and abilities.
Do you not have waiver or live in Indiana?
Click HERE for Indiana vocational rehab services
No waiver? No problem. OVR covers the first year of employment training for our members, and you can also Private Pay if you need services beyond that. Contact Shelly Durbin to get started.
Additional Employment Resources
- Kentucky Works
- APSE
- KCC – Vocational Rehabilitation
- University of Kentucky – HDI
- Click here for Indiana general vocational rehab services!
- Learn more about how working and SSI & SSDI work together
- NDSS Employment Guide
- NDSS Resume Guide
Questions?
Ready to jumpstart your career!?
Career Solutions has meetings and informational interviews with members, families, and employers by appointment. Please contact Shelly Durbin to learn more or visit our building for a tour and more information about the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will my son/daughter be working in public alone?
Yes. They will eventually be working independently in public, much like any adult. Part of what we do is to ensure they are in a safe, trustworthy environment. We offer detailed training, with the intent to slowly and effectively fade away. If there are any issues with this, they will be addressed on an individual basis.
2. Will this affect their monthly SSDI check?
If you qualify for SSI, you get monthly payments to help you pay for your basic needs. A person who is single can get up to $994 per month in benefits. You also get Medicaid health coverage automatically, without having to file a separate application.
If you get SSI benefits and start working, you’ll probably end up better off financially. SSI’s rules are designed to help you find work and make sure that your total income will be higher after you get a job.
3. Can anyone get a job?
In theory, yes. The biggest obstacles to employment are behavior and skill development. One way to look at this is: “If you can feed yourself, you can work.” We can train people to do almost anything, but if there are behavior problems involved, those may need to be sorted out before considering employment. This applies to ALL ability levels.
4. When should we get started?
We would love to work with your family member during high school, via Pre-ETS. The best time to reach out to us is in the last year of high school or vocational training.
5. What can we do to prepare for the workplace at home?
The best thing to do is complete chores around the house together. This is not commanding: “Go clean your room!” but rather, “Let’s go clean your room together today, and we can learn what we need to do to keep it straight.” Eventually, they will be able to complete the task independently and establish pride in what they have done. Next, try volunteering, learning to introduce themselves, and observing what kinds of jobs your son/daughter be interested in.