Disability Services
We see the promise in everyone—regardless of the challenges they face.
“Individuals on the Spectrum are increasingly being recruited to work in quality control-related work. That’s because an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder may pick up on details that the average person wouldn’t.”
–David Leitner, Executive Director,
The Calais School
Career Discovery Program
The JVS Career Discovery Program provides services that help prepare our program participants to find jobs throughout the community. Our approach is both comprehensive and person-centered and encompasses a variety of instructional techniques, including state-of-the-art, virtual reality technology:
- Group Workshops focusing on Soft Skills, Job-Seeking Skills, and Computer Skills
- Job Sampling
- Field Trips
- Work Adjustment Training
- Assembly Work
- Job Placement Services
- Job Coaching
- Follow-along Services
- Extended Employment
For more information, please contact Hetal Narciso at 862-704-2273 or hnarciso@jvsnj.org.
Job Placement Services
Our highly-trained and experienced staff provide support to help individuals with disabilities—from first-time workers to established executives re-entering the workforce—reach their career goals. JVS Job Placement counselors offer program participants valuable assistance every step of the way to help ensure they achieve long-term success:
- Job-seeking Plans
- Resume Writing
- Job-seeking Skills
- Interview Practice
- Connections to Prospective Employers
- On-the-Job Support, as needed
For more information, please contact Janet Sewell at 862-704-2260 or jsewell@jvsnj.org.
School-to-Career Transition Services
JVS offers an extensive menu of services to help students from 14 to 21 years of age with special needs successfully transition from school to the workplace or to post-secondary education:
- In-School Vocational Assessment
- Work Readiness Classes
- Job Sampling
- Internship Development
- Placement Services
- Job Coaching
- Pre-Employment Transition Services
For more information, please contact Hetal Narciso at 862-704-2273 or hnarciso@jvsnj.org.
Disability Services
Comprehensive vocational evaluations help JVS program participants as they work to choose career and/or work goals. Offered over a two- to five-day period, the assessments can be completed at either of our JVS locations (East Orange or Livingston) or at the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services office nearest you. The evaluations are appropriate for individuals who have a wide range of academic levels—from non-readers through college level—and are adjusted to each person’s needs. Test results are presented in comprehensive written reports that provide specific vocational recommendations based on a thorough assessment of interests, abilities, and work behaviors. The tests are conducted via the following methodologies:
- Structured Interviews
- Interest Inventories
- Work Samples
- Standardized Tests
- Situational Assessments
JVS also provides Mobile Vocational Evaluation services at school sites for students between 14 and 21 years of age (please see “School to Career Transition Services” above for additional student services).
For more information, please contact Elyse Provda at 862-704-2276 or eprovda@jvsnj.org.
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services
The JVS Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHOH) Services department provides assessment and employment services to individuals who have a mild to profound functional hearing loss. JVS Vocational Rehabilitation specialists who have American Sign Language (ASL) skills also provide one-on-one job coaching as needed to help program participants secure and maintain long-term employment.
For more information, please contact Hetal Narciso at 862-704-2273 or hnarciso@jvsnj.org.
Skill-building Through Service
One of the best ways for individuals—with or without disabilities—to gain and build relevant job skills is via immersion in real-life work environments. JVS’ Skill-building Through Service opportunities provide program participants with the chance to volunteer at area non-profits and local businesses while receiving one-on-one, real-time, on-site feedback from trained JVS staff. Participants typically serve in groups of at least four and are supervised on-site by JVS vocational counselors. JVS provides transportation to and from each of our host sites which are located primarily throughout Essex County. Current sites include:
- The Montclair Art Museum
- The Newark Museum
- JCC MetroWest
- Petco
- Medshare
For more information, please contact Robert Strausberg at 862-704-2231 or rstrausberg@jvsnj.org.
