Career Development

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Goodwill Industries of Southwest Oklahoma and North Texas provides career development services to people with disabilities, as well as those with disadvantaging conditions. Goodwill strives to restore an individual's dignity, self-respect, and self-worth through integrated programs of evaluation, personal adjustment, and skills training. The very heart of Goodwill's mission is to help each individual find a job to ensure their continued successes.

About Career Development

For individuals who have disabling conditions, Goodwill Industries offers career development services to help them gain and maintain employment at their highest level of ability. Employment Specialists determine the participant's work history, job goals, and support needs. They then develop an individual plan of action to assist the participant in making a connection wtih local employers or training in one of Goodwill's various work programs. Goodwill's Employment Specialists maintain ongoing relationships with area businesses in the community. After a job placement is obtained, Goodwill staff helps the new employee learn the job skills and work culture. Some individuals benefit from ongoing support once they have obtained a job. Goodwill provides supported employment where Employment Specialists will typically provide job coaching at the work site. The role of the job coach is not to complete the tasks but to help the worker improve productivity and appropriate social interaction. Ultimately, Goodwill strives to reduce the level of job coaching and help the new employee get fully integrated in the workplace.

Usually, people working in supported employment are employees of the company. In some arrangements, Goodwill acts as a staffing service contracting with the business for employees. Goodwill offers a wide array of career development programs depending on the support/assistance required by individuals to maintain worthwhile employment.

Support Services

In an effort to develop career potentials and the skills needed to find and secure jobs, Goodwill Industries provides support services.

Vocational Evaluation: Assessments completed to determine abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

Work Adjustment Training: Training designed to address work behaviors, motivation, self-reliance, work tolerance, and good work practices.

Career Development: Personal interview and goal setting, career exploration, and individual program services.

Job Skills/Job Experience: On-the-job training, vocational communication services, counseling, and guidance and skills development.

Job Readiness/Job Quest: Training in job seeking skills such as conducting a job search, filling in applications, resume development, and interviewing skills.

Job Placement: Services designed to result in employment.

Job Coaching: On-site job training to assist with adaptation, specific skills, and adjustment to employment.

Supported Employment: Goodwill places participants into integrated, competitive employment, and provides ongoing support to both the individual and the employer as needed.

Individual Supported Employment matches qualified people with developmental disabilities to competitive jobs within the community. Training and follow-up supervision are provided as needed.

Group Supported Employment contracts with businesses to provide training opportunities for people with severe disabilities who need closer supervision. An on-site trainer works with groups of four to six individuals. The goal of group employment is to prepare the participant for individual supported employment opportunities.

Sheltered Workshop: Task oriented or productive individuals with severe disabilities who are not ready for competitive employment.

High School Transition Program: Contracts with DRS to provide employment services to students enrolled in Special Education classes that are 16-21 years of age. This includes assessment, job tryouts, and placement assistance.

Who qualifies for our programs?

Goodwill serves individuals who may have one or more of the following disabilities or disadvantages:

Physical disabilities
Emotional disabilities
Learning disabilities
Mental health disabilities

Individuals served may have a variety of needs, including:

Lack of knowledge about work environments
Limited job-seeking skills
Excessive anxiety
Poor attendance
Inability to attend to a task
Inability to appropriately interact with others
Inadequate work habits

The following general criteria are used to aid in determining participant eligibility for Goodwill services. Service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants:

Must be at least 14 years of age.

Under age 18 that are involved in a work-related program must be with the transitional program.

With appropriate support, must be able to care for their basic needs.

Must not be considered a danger to themselves, or to others.

Must be able to administer their own medication.

Must show a desire to work and to benefit from vocational services.

Must have documentation that supports his/her disability and/or disadvantaging conditions. This documentation should be provided by a third party.

Must be sponsored by a funding source.

For more information, please call or E-mail:

Ken Smits
#29Director of Career Development 046b
Goodwill Industries of Southwest Oklahoma and North Texas, Inc.
1205 Summit Avenue
Lawton, OK 73501

Phone: (580) 355-2163
FAX: (580) 355-2166
E-mail: ksmits@goodwillsont.org

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