Christian Opportunity Center (COC) is increasing its supported employment efforts in the wake of new State rules eliminating sheltered employment.

COC has been providing supported employment services since 1987, which includes on-the-job training and support to help people with disabilities learn necessary duties to be successful in the workplace. COC also helps people with disabilities find and maintain jobs, with an emphasis on finding the right match for each person in a variety of settings, including: retail, grocery stores, restaurants, meal delivery, cleaning services, and production work in factories.

Kim Koellner, Regional Director for Vocational Services, oversees both supported employment and sheltered employment.

“Job coaches serve a dual role as they strive to support individuals by assisting them in exploring their interests and strengths and with the process of becoming employed,” Koellner said. “Once hired, they provide support to learn the job, develop natural supports, and periodic support on the job. At the same time, job coaches support employers by learning about their business needs and work culture so that they can support the individual to be a successful employee.”

COC is currently operating supported employment in Indianola, Knoxville, Oskaloosa and Pella.

If a business is interested in employing a person with disabilities through COC’s supported employment, contact Vocational Program Manager Cathy Wilson (Email: cwilson@christianopportunity.org or at (641) 673-9467, ext. 17).

“Supported employment has experienced growth in several ways during the past year, primarily due to referrals from Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation (IVR) and as a result of Career Exploration classes,” said Koellner. “The services are working in a complimentary manner by providing exposure, practice, and support to the process of obtaining and maintaining employment in the community. In addition to serving individuals from COC, growth is also occurring due to IVRS referrals from the community who choose COC as their provider for job development and other services.”

CThe reason for an increased focus on COC’s supported employment is the elimination of sheltered employment. By May 2018, people will no longer have the opportunity to earn a paycheck in COC’s plants.

COC will continue to offer residential and spiritual services in addition to its supported employment and non-work oriented day program.