Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 15, 1990 TAG: 9003162718
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Long
The Supported Employment Program for disabled workers is no exception.
The program finds suitable jobs for those who are mentally retarded or who have physical and emotional disabilities and trains them for work. It is expanding to include the hearing- and visually impaired.
Supported Employment has had an 80 percent success rate in finding jobs for those who join the program, but recent New River Valley layoffs have increased competition for jobs, even at the fast-food restaurants that have provided the most jobs for its clients.
The New River Valley Community Services Board started the program in 1986 through Mental Retardation Services, but had just recently found its stride, said Ben Bowman, the former program manager who left for a Roanoke job.
He said the program has matched about 20 clients with jobs, and most are still working. The program has a waiting list of 30 people who want help finding a job.
"Now, with various companies making layoffs, I don't know what will happen," Bowman said.
The idea for the program came from research at Virginia Commonwealth University that concluded that the handicapped can be productive employees if they are given proper support.
Bowman said Supported Employment has a vested interest in economic development in the area. The clients the program places, he said, have the same needs and desires as the non-disabled.
"The goal of the Supported Employment program is to help people become more self-supportive," said Bowman. He said this cannot be done when jobs are scarce.
"Finding jobs for disabled persons becomes much more difficult than [the work of] a regular employment agency," he said. Program guidelines stipulate that jobs offered must be at least 20 hours a week and pay at least minimum wage.
George Turner, 54, also is concerned with economics. He got a job through Supported Employment as a bearing inspector for Federal Mogul in 1988, but found himself jobless after layoffs last month.
"I liked my job and I loved the people," said Turner. "I had so much moral support there that I felt like I could work 18 hours a day non-stop." Turner, who is emotionally disabled, plans on getting another job through the program so he can "make enough money to retire on."
In Dublin, 23-year-old Danny Gallimore got a job through Supported Employment at Pulaski Furniture Corp. as a saw operator. On the job since 1988, he makes about $89 a week. He also faces a crunch since the company went to a four-day work week in February to balance out overtime hours from 1989.
A shy, quiet man, Gallimore, who is emotionally disabled, receives "a lot of emotional support" at the job, according to his mother. "And that's all he wants," she said.
And at Radford's downtown Hardee's, Mickey Loar, a talkative man in his 50s, does grounds and interior maintenance. Loar, who is mentally retarded, has worked for about eight months and his employment is stable.
"We need him here," said Sherry Spinner, assistant manager. "He works very well. . . . You have to be patient and take the time to explain things. You'll find you don't have to explain them again."
New River's Community Services Board was among 14 agencies to receive state grants to start Supported Employment Programs in Virginia. The idea since has spread throughout the country.
Besides the manager, the Radford-based program has two employment specialists and a support specialist.
The employment specialist finds jobs and provides on-the-job training. The specialist must learn each job and then be able to teach the handicapped worker the variety of skills needed.
Lee Wrenn, 25 and an employment specialist, has worked eight different jobs to train clients.
"I really liked bagging groceries at Kroger's," he said. "You could meet a lot of people and have constant interaction. That type of atmosphere is good for anyone."
The employment specialist trains a disabled employee for six to eight weeks to the employer's satisfaction. Then the support specialist steps in to provide support and retraining, as needed, for as long as the person is employed.
"The key is to also give support to the co-workers," said support specialist Roma Stuth. "They, in turn, will also give support to the disabled employee. In the work place, co-workers support each other."
The position of program manager, which is vacant, has gotten more difficult because of economic surges. The program manager must deal with placement problems, which are affected by the economy.
"The present economic state really concerns me," said Bowman. "I'm the type of person who likes to see things happen."
Besides area layoffs, Supported Employment also faces transportation problems. Those who live in rural areas may have a good job match in Blacksburg, but have no way to get there.
"Not having a bus system really hampers the program," said Stuth.
Still, the current problem is finding jobs for the program's clients. In the New River Valley, the jobless rate increased from 5.9 percent in December to 7.7 percent in January due to seasonal and industrial layoffs. These numbers will get worse when larger layoffs, such as at AT&T, are figured in.
Leaner times require strong efforts from the staff. Stuth thinks marketing the program will help maintain its success rate.
"To say we wouldn't be affected by the current economic situation is silly," Stuth said. "Our goal is to make people with disabilities as competitive as anyone else in the job market. These are just some of the problems that have to be faced."
Businesses interested in the Supported Employment Program can call 831-5175.
by CNB