Many Crossroads of Western Iowa (CWI) consumers are gainfully employed members of the community. They have a desire to utilize their skills to earn spending money, contribute to the community and gain more independence. How do we help individuals with disabilities prepare for, earn and maintain employment? What do consumers gain from employment? How do employers benefit from hiring consumers?

Helping Individuals Prepare for Employment

There are four main steps we take with each individual interested in obtaining a job.

1. The consumer and their CWI team members have a meeting to determine job development and employer development goals, funding, restrictions, transportation and other discussion topics.
2. A job coach and/or job developer meets with the consumer to work on the following:

• Supported Employment staff and the consumer go through Discovery – which is the process of learning about the consumer’s likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies, dreams and goals.
• The consumer works on interviewing skills and questions with the Supported Employment staff.
• The consumer learns how to fill out applications for employment. 
• The Supported Employment staff reviews how working in the community may impact a consumer’s benefits.

3. On behalf of the client, the job coach and job developer reach out to potential businesses to help develop a lead for the consumer.
4. Once employment is obtained, the job coach accompanies the consumer to work, helping them learn and adjust to their new community job. There is continued support from the job coach as needed by the employee and employer.

How Does the Employer Benefit from Hiring a Person with Disabilities?

Benefits are realized by both the consumer and the company.

• Employees with disabilities help businesses succeed by:
  • Offering fresh ideas about solving problems
  • Accomplishing tasks and implementing new work strategies
• Employees with disabilities often provide businesses an inside advantage of an expanded customer base.
• The IRS offers tax credits and deductions to companies that hire workers with disabilities and make their businesses and workplaces accessible.
• Through Customized Employment, consumers offer increased productivity by allowing other employees to focus on other tasks.

If you’re an employer looking to hire hard-working, reliable employees to fill your entry-level positions, or simply want to learn more about this process, please fill out our quick form. You can also contact Clint, Program Director of Employment Services at Crossroads of Western Iowa directly at 712.328.1930.

What Benefits Does the Consumer Gain from Employment?

There many benefits to consumers who maintain community integrated employment.

• The opportunity to earn wages at or above minimum wage, and the dignity of economic self-sufficiency in their communities
• A sense of empowerment by discovering that they are capable of working in the community, just like anyone else
• The opportunity to interact with peers and make friends
• A stronger integration into the local community

We currently have more than 40 consumers who are employed in local communities in Western Iowa. They complete a variety of entry-level positions within the retail and fast food industries, including: maintenance, groundskeeper, greeter, fast food dining room attendant, cashier, retail merchandise recovery, merchandiser, cart pusher, buffet prep associate, data entry clerk, dishwasher/busser and child care associate. 

The images included in this post are just of few of our consumers on the job. There’s a great sense of pride and accomplishment in their faces as they successfully complete their tasks for the day. If you’re interested in helping your loved one prepare for and find a job, contact Clint, Program Director of Employment Services at Crossroads of Western Iowa. Please call 712.328.1930 for more information.