IKRON has found over the past fifteen years that its Employment Service (also known as Supportive Employment and Community Employment Service) is a successful job development and job placement program for individuals seeking employment. This service is designed to help each member recognize and value his/her self-worth, skills and talents. The Program helps persons gain their confidence and motivation to seek and obtain employment that is compatible with their abilities and their interests. Our staff believes that nearly every individual can fit into some level of the work force. The goal of IKRON's employment service is to assist each participant in acquiring knowledge of the world of work and of his or her transferable work skills in order to obtain a job.

IKRON also encourages the consumer to select a job of his/her choice following participation in various activities and discussion sessions on employment and career opportunities. IKRON's Employment Service emphasizes our belief that a consumer needs to be prepared for the job search as is any other individual living in the community. Therefore, the employment service is geared towards encouraging the consumer to acquire the knowledge necessary to obtain and maintain a job and to accept the risks that are inherent for anyone to become employed in competitive jobs.

Most consumers who complete IKRON's vocational and employment sessions are able to obtain jobs with IKRON support during the job search and following their employment. Most employers hire IKRON consumers based on their own value to the company and without prior knowledge of any disabling condition(s). This is not only IKRON's philosophy but is also the choice of nearly all consumers. For IKRON, this is truly normalization, adaptation and integration in a normal setting.

Nearly all IKRON graduates have stated that the job search was easier and shorter using the techniques taught by our staff. The following quote from one of our graduates represents the philosophy of our Employment Service:

"Gaining confidence in my abilities and self-esteem along with the encouragement of IKRON's instructors and other participants helped me to change from feeling hopeless to feeling excited and challenged in my job search."

BENEFITS MANAGEMENT is another part of our program to alleviate the stress and confusion of completing all the paperwork for persons receiving money from the Social Security Administration, IKRON provides a comprehensive benefits management program for individuals enrolled in IKRONS Supportive Employment or Job Development and Placement programs.

SUPPORT COACHING is an integral part of this component. Support coaches are available at the request of the consumer on the job and after work hours. The support coach prepares and then helps to train workers on the job and assists the employee to adjust to the working environment with a suitable training and work strategy.

PASS (Planned Action for Self Sufficiency) has been used by IKRON's consumers since its inception by the Social Security Administration. With planning and direction, consumers can maintain their SSI and SSDI benefits while employed and earning a salary through the use of PASS.

ELIGIBLE CONSUMERS include adults with problems of mental health, substance abuse, Psychosocial adjustment, physical disability and job displacement.

LENGTH OF PROGRAM is a minimum of eight to twelve weeks (varies depending on needs of the individual).