What is Employment Concepts?
Employment Concepts is a program that helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find employment. It is part of a national initiative to help those with disabilities become contributing members of their community through meaningful, integrated employment.
Our job seekers are well qualified and offer a broad range of skills and abilities. They are referred to Employment Concepts directly out of high school by Trudeau’s Adult Day Services or the Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services.
Our professional staff prepares each individual for the workplace and provides on-the-job support to help them succeed.
How We Help Your Business
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit provides eligible employers with a tax credit of up to 40% of the first $6,000 of first-year wages for a new employee who is part of a targeted group of those with disabilities, which must be certified by the appropriate government agencies. The tax credit is available to the employer once the employee has worked at least 120 hours or 90 days. Employers claim the credit on Form 5884, Work Opportunity Credit.
The tax advantages are just one of the benefits an employer can receive when they participate in integrated community employment through Employment Concepts and employ an individual from the program. Others include:
- Qualified employees
- Reduced turnover
- Job Coaching by Certified Employment Support Professionals
- Reduce training costs
- No recruitment costs
- Dedicated employees
- Diversity in the workplace
- Improved workplace morale
- Well-trained support system
As part of your company’s partnership with Trudeau, we also offer volunteer opportunities for any of your employees who are interested to learn more about our organization and further support our mission.
Preparing Individuals for the Workplace
Participants may begin working following the submission of an employment referral and an assessment of work readiness. During this time, we provide pre-vocational training opportunities to help participants develop skills towards employment. Our four-week Work Readiness class focuses on employment-seeking skills, interviewing, appearance, barriers to employment, interpersonal skills, and resume writing. Individuals may also build skills by volunteering at sites such as Greenwich Bay Manner, DCYF, RI Blood Center, Warwick Public Library, and Pilgrim Senior Center.
Vocational evaluations take place over three days each for a minimum of four hours. These evaluations determine an individual’s skills and aptitudes. Situational Assessments are provided in collaboration with the Office of Rehabilitation Services for a period of ten days to evaluate an individual’s performance in a specific area of interest related to their work goal. It also provides practical experience in making informed decisions to help ensure a smooth transition and equip people with important workplace skills.
Corporate Support
If your business is interested in helping individuals in a workplace environment, you are in good company. Here is a list of just some of our corporate partners in the Employment Concepts program:
- Amgen
- Brewed Awakenings
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Christmas Tree Shops
- Citizens Bank
- Falvey Linen
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Home Depot
- Marshall’s
- Panera Bread
- Shaw’s Supermarkets
- Sinel, Wilfand & Vinci
- Sodexho
- Stop & Shop
- Tiffany & Co.