NW Works

Integrated community development: workforce developers and job coaches provide career focused skill building, screening, placement and support services to ensure individuals with disabilities have meaningful opportunities for employment while direct support professionals provide life skill building activities for those who are not oriented towards employment or for those individuals that have capacity for work and may not have previously considered employment options or would like to re-explore vocational rehabilitation for employment. Individuals are employed in or participate in activities in settings that include both individuals with and without disabilities. These environments help to foster greater independence and inclusion. Workforce developers and vocational rehabilitation specialists provide ongoing supports to ensure longterm support with a focus on the desired outcome of the individual seeking employment or greater community inclusion with both outcomes impacting confidence and self advocacy skills.

Commercial businesses: provide employment opportunities annually for many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities along with other barriers to employment. This employment is designed to provide employment for individuals who have traditionally beenexcluded from the labor market. Commercial businesses include commercial packaging and warehousing and distribution. Workforce support services are provided to ensure ongoing success and quality delivery of goods and services based on customer need.

Contracts: NW Works employs people with disabilities on ability one contracts which were secured for the sole intent of expanding employment for this specific group of people. In these settings, individuals earn living wages, have health and other benefits and pay taxes to be fully contributing members of their community.

Other program service accomplishments include:project search: this globally recognized program, supports high school students with disabilities through job training. Students in their final year of school are eligible to participate in three different internships, each lasting nine weeks through the partnerships with internships at winchester medical center/valley health. Graduates of the project search program gain important job skills and often attain employment prior to or immediately following completion of the program (greater than 90% employed since inception of the program). NW Works is part of a partnership and coordinates with vhs, department of rehabilitation services, winchester city and frederick county public schools to assist with job coaching, training and followup on skills built for future participant success. Project search had a 100% placement rate in 2022 and continues to receive positive comments from the business community and families. Tanf workforce program: this fourth-year program, funded by the Virginia department of social services, prepares individuals who are currently on public asssistant or eligible for public assistance to obtain unsubsidized employement with the local business community. We have expanded our work to include creative ways to address access for services and support for individuals referred for services to increase the success of the program.