Supported Employment Services

The mission and purpose of The Arc of Alameda County is best illustrated by the Community Services Program - people with disabilities working productively in their own communities, interacting with their neighbors as co-workers and services providers, and earning the pride and self-esteem that comes with a job well done.

We match individuals eager to work with employers in their communities. The result is always a success. Employers report that they get some of their most dedicated and hard working employees, and an individual with a developmental disability gets an opportunity to prove that he or she can work hard and get the job done.

But our role doesn't stop after hiring day. The Arc of Alameda County continues to provide ongoing job coaching and support for as long as the individual is working - at no cost to the individual or company.

Two options are available depending on individual readiness and preference:

Group Placements
Teams of individuals, working under direct supervision from The Arc of Alameda County, are hired directly by local companies or work under contracts through The Arc. Duties include production work, landscaping, graffiti removal, janitorial, retail and customer service. Some of our consumers work at Livermore Police Department, the Cities of Pleasanton and Union City, and the Oakland Museum.

Individual Placements
For consumers who are ready for the challenges of an independent work setting, we have a wide variety of jobs in the local community. Our professional Job Developer matches the individual's strengths and preferences with the best placement. While the consumer is a direct employee of the company, Arc of Alameda County still works closely with him or her through a Job Coordinator. Jobs range widely from office work to food prep to retail and customer service to janitorial. We have placed consumers with companies such as Burlington Coat Factory, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Target and Lucky Stores.

The Arc of Alameda County provides training and support at all stages of the job process:

Job Development
Matching consumer preferences and strengths with positions at local companies.

Job Diversity
Jobs range from a very supported environment to competitive employment.

Mobility Training
Ensuring that the consumer can get to the work site.

One-on-one Job Training
Individualized job coaching at specific job skills.

Ongoing Job support
Weekly visits by Job Coordinators throughout the term of employment.

Social Security Advocacy
Educate SSA/SSI recipients on rights and responsibilities.

Indepndent Living Skills
Referral to ILS programs for preparation and support for consumers living on their own or about to transition.