NCIA's Career Development Center utilizes a flexible treatment model which allows individuals to participate in training and employment opportunities designed to meet their complex and changing needs.

For example, a more capable and experienced person may be employed in a Supported Employment placement within the community with drop-in supervision, while less experienced individuals may work in Enclave placements, two to three person work crews with on-the-job training provided by a crew instructor. Inexperienced individuals may initially receive Vocational Training and be provided with job specific skills training in a "home base" setting, with increasing involvement in community-based employment. Individuals lacking employment skills and having a variety of behavioral, emotional, and/or physical challenges may be served first in a Day Habilitation model, with gradual introduction of contractual work and job specific training.

This program addresses communication, socialization, physical, mental, and behavioral needs. Its participants concentrate on self-care skills, personal hygiene, eating skills, food preparation skills, leisure activities, and community involvement. Some may also enter our pre-vocational program, where they learn such basic skills as collating and manipulating small items, and functioning in a simulated work environment. Behavioral difficulties are addressed therapeutically through crisis intervention and counseling. We also have a sensory stimulation room, where a soothing combination of sound, scent, light, and color bring about a calmer state of mind.

Vocational training services teach individuals vocational skills that prepare them for competitive employment in the community. The services include vocational assessment activities, job training, work skill training, social skills training, safety skills, and work related hygiene training. Individuals also participate in several in-house enclave placements, such as customer service, housekeeping, landscaping, and mail room services.

Enclave placement provides paid training to individuals who require additional skills in areas of interest, are transitioning from one placement to another, or have special needs that prevent them from succeeding in community placement.

Individuals participate in in-house and community enclave placements to develop skills needed to maintain employment. Some of our enclave placements include maintenance, landscaping, grounds maintenance, carpet cleaning, mail room services, administrative services, contract work, computer disassembly, painting, and housekeeping.

Supported employment helps program participants obtain and maintain competitive employment within their communities. NCIA currently has supervised placements within fast food restaurants, commercial building maintenance companies, and landscaping firms.

Utilizing a place-train approach to supported employment, in which individuals work within real job settings rather than artificial training environments, the staff provide valuable hands-on experience to each program participant. Because our programs are tailored to the specific needs of the individual, NCIA has successfully matched skill level and job readiness with a variety of employment opportunities for long-term success.

Wages are a major outcome of supported employment. Work performed must be compensated with the same benefits and wages as other workers in similar jobs. This includes sick leave, vacation time, health benefits, bonuses, training opportunities, and other benefits.

NCIA has successfully placed 100% of its supported employment participants in one of the following models:

Enclave Model - Trained and supervised by job coaches, individuals usually work as a team (generally 5 - 8 people) at a single work site in a community business. Dispersed enclaves include team members who work on separate jobs throughout an organization. In both scenarios, initial training, supervision, and support are provided by a specially trained NCIA vocational instructor.