Overview

Our goal is to aid persons with disabilities (functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive, physical and emotional impairments/disabilities) to transform their own lives by experiencing personal development, career growth, community integration, and improved financial capacity.

We serve over 800 employees throughout the Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia areas on various military bases, government buildings and grounds as well as commercial sites performing document conversion and destruction, custodial, fulfillment, administrative and landscaping.

How it works

The process begins prior to work interviews and job placement.

Vocational Support Services meets with each prospective job candidate with disabilities in order to help identify well-matched job opportunities by assessing the individual’s interests and needs. Vocational Support Services also works to identify any reasonable accommodations that may be necessary for the individual to succeed (e.g. screen magnifiers, lighter weight vacuums, color coded towels, checklists, modified/assisted devices, etc.). Once a job match is made, Vocational Support Services works with the individual to develop a plan for success. Progress is assessed and necessary changes are made through regular counseling sessions that employ a solution-focused approach to responding to challenges and crises.

Vocational Support Specialists educate supervisors on how to apply repetitive activities leading to task mastering or to identify risk behaviors needing immediate responses. For example, an employee exhibiting sudden changes in behavior where daily tasks that are usually completed are not finished would be assisted by a Vocational Support Specialist. The supervisor would request support from the Vocational Support team to help him/her understand the behavior and problem solve towards completing daily tasks through trainings and repetitive activities. Additionally, Vocational Support Specialists would assess identified risks and develop a safety plan. At the end, there is a continued conversation to follow up and follow through to ensure safety and employment retention success. Successes are discussed and nurtured in order to maximize job performance. These counseling sessions are provided both directly (e.g., face-to-face) and indirectly (e.g., over the phone, by e-mail, etc.).

The Process

Vocational Support Services will conduct an initial meeting and assessment within 30 days of a supported employee’s date of hire as well as annually thereafter.

These meetings help identify potential barriers to employment and establish the foundation of a plan to overcome those barriers. Employees being supported by Vocational Support Services) will be more likely to leave Melwood on a voluntary basis in order to pursue other competitive integrated employment.

The role of the Vocational Support Specialist is instrumental in minimizing the number of “Involuntary” separations. There is an average of five involuntary separations monthly. It includes the Vocational Support Specialist intervening to lessen potential Corrective Action Plans (CAP). Although Melwood is known to service people with disabilities, ensuring privacy and confidentiality is a priority practice. This means, only the Vocational Support Service team has access to the medical records of employees. 

Vocational Support staff will meet with individuals in the community setting most appropriately dictated by the individual’s career development plan (e.g. employer businesses; Workforce Career Centers; local libraries; or other locations convenient, accessible, and within the individuals desired geographic employment area, and other places).