Program areas at KSI
Ksi provides production services and community-based contract labor for businesses in the local community as a way to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Participants in our prevocational services and supported employment programs are all paid at least minimum wages or higher.
Transportation: ksi provides year-round, door-to-door transportation services to virtually all of its program participants as part of its employment and life enrichment services. This enables individuals to access training and employment opportunities, and in most cases, is the only way in which these individuals are able to access such services. We have an on-site fueling station to support our fleet of vehicles and a fully equipped auto maintenance facility.
Assessment provides a baseline of training needs that, once achieved, will better prepare program participants for employment and personal achievements. An individualized support agreement (isa) is developed for each participant, and a ksi case manager coordinates the needed rehabilitation services. The case manager also monitors the isa, in which, among other things, is recorded goals, progress, attainment, needs, likes/dislikes, preferences, etc. The isa is a comprehensive plan developed by the person's interdisciplinary team, with a person-centered approach to include the individual's choice. The isa identifies the person's employment and personal goals, and establishes action plans to achieve progress towards their goals. Service delivery includes support of current action plans, quarterly performance reviews, semi-annual isa reviews, and annual isa review and revision. In order to implement the person-centered plans, participants need opportunities to develop their skills and abilities as well as develop strategies and techniques to overcome barriers and obstacles to achieving their vocational potential. Vocational/educational programming is designed to provide essential vocational and living skills training to ksi's program participants. Modules such as money handling/identification, telephone and computer use, writing, reading, health, safety, and soft skills provide participants with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and increase their employability and independence. Volunteering, community trips, and community service create opportunities for people to gain meaningful participation in their community. Skill development center pre-vocational services is available to individuals who are not able, or not motivated, to work outside of ksi's main facility. This particular status of employment allows participants to work on a variety of sub-contracts. During participation in this phase of employment, individuals are encouraged to maximize their potential, in an effort to assist them to progress toward independent employment. Ksi is able to provide specialized supervision and unique job accommodations including, workstation adjustments, special fixtures, flexible schedules, job sharing, and behavior supports. Community based employment provides program participants with the opportunity to work in the community, as part of a ksi work crew. Ksi provides supervision and transportation to the crews, which can consist of two to ten participants and one supervisor. The crews can work together, or be spread separately throughout the job site, depending upon the needs of the employer. Ksi's current community-based work sites include: procter and gamble, merck animal health, dover air force base, and kraft heinz foods. Supported employment: the eventual outcome for pre-vocational training is placement in competitive community work using ksi supported employment services. Employment specialists develop customized jobs and training to match employers' needs, while assisting individuals with job placement and support for success throughout their entire term of employment . Ksi provides intensive one-on-one training, which is gradually reduced as is appropriate. Life enrichment/explore: activities are designed to foster acquisition of skills, appropriate behaviors, greater independence, and personal choice. Ksi's life enrichment program and explore program are focused on building the skills and interests of each individual. Ksi's life enrichment and explore programs provide activities, such as volunteering, trips to community sites, shopping, and other recreational activities. Community inclusion program: this program is designed to offer a non-paid activity that closely resembles a paid job and allows for the teaching and development of vocationally important skills and abilities. Currently, this program has established relationships/commitments with 8 non-profits: abbott's mill nature center, clear space theater, Delaware veterans home, food bank of Delaware, ppac, milford garden club, berean community church, and st. john's church. These non-profits rely on volunteers to carry out their missions. We have firm commitments with each to be responsible for certain duties, on set schedules. We have established teams assigned to each commitment as well as "open slots" on each team to allow opportunities for participants to "explore" their program options. Each person who is a core member of the team has specific skills identified in their learning plan which we are supporting them in developing. Daily observations, issues, and progress are documented. Each participant's case manager reviews progress monthly, and incorporates the data into each person's quarterly performance report.
Nutritional services: ksi's cafeteria provides healthy daily breakfasts, snacks and lunches free of charge to each skill development center participant. It ensures that participants' bodies are well-nourished, as well as providing important time to socialize with friends. The ksi cafeteria also offers vital employment and training opportunities in food preparation and service to prepare participants for community-based jobs.
Other programs directly related to exempt function.