For many individuals and/or their parents, care providers, or guardians, employment will create a lot of anxiety. TNT will attempt to address these anxieties by discussing and educating the consumer, and when applicable, the parents, care providers, or guardians about the pros and cons of getting a job. This way, they can make an informed choice about the type of placement and the support services that are needed to facilitate and maintain a successful placement.
As is the case for all our programs, we embrace the importance of consumer choice regarding service delivery through person-centered planning. For all our supported employment programs, we promote consumers, and when applicable, the parents, care providers, and other significant stakeholder’s participation in the planning, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of program services and supports.
We use a variety of tools to gather information about the consumer, which include but is not limited to:
- Referral packets from the regional centers and/or Department of Rehabilitation
- Interviews and discussions with the individual’s family, care provider, previous work programs, and/or employers
- Comprehensive interviews with the consumer
- Pictorial Employment Inventories
- Job Tryouts (Situational Assessments)
- Job Exploration
- Employment Videos
Based on our data and information received, we document and discuss with the consumer, and when appropriate the parents, care provider, or other significant stakeholders involved in the consumer’s life. We work with the consumer to develop a plan of action that will address their strengths, weaknesses, preferences, interest, desires, and level of supports related to job placement.
We also provide benefit planning for the consumer, and when applicable, the parents, care provider, or guardian to minimize their anxieties and fears about the potential impact work will have on the consumer’s social security and medical benefits.
