Vocational Support

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 guarantees that persons with disabilities have access to state of the art vocational programs that maximize employment skills, economic self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion and integration into society. Funding for these programs comes from the federal government and is provided for individuals through the Community Services Boards or through the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS).

Each CSB and the DRS has its own set of eligibility requirements and should be contacted for more specific information. Generally, residents are served by the CSB in their county or city of residence.

The providers listed below are not necessarily approved providers by each CSB or the DRS. For more information about what providers are approved in each jurisdiction, contact the specific CSB or DRS. If the provider is not approved by a CSB or the DRS a family or individual may choose to pay for services with private funds.

Individuals who want assistance from DRS must complete an intake and assessment process. DRS counselors and staff will evaluate an applicant’s educational background, work skills, job interests, work experience, and barriers to employment. The applicant may be observed at different jobs to determine his or her abilities and needs for support.

The rehabilitation system can offer many different types of support for individuals with disabilities who qualify for services. Individuals who require significant assistance with therapy and health management may be placed in a day support program. Others who are learning activities of daily living and basic work skills may be placed in a sheltered workshop. People with disabilities who need ongoing support and supervision but want to work in a community setting may be placed in an enclave, which is a group of individuals who are working on the same project or activity within a larger organization. Workers who want to work in an integrated setting for competitive pay can request employment supports such as a job coach, who can train the person on his or her job duties and offer ongoing assistance with work-related issues. Finally, individuals can request assistance from DRS with starting their own business or telecommuting. DRS can help with transportation to and from work, personal assistance services at work, and other types of work-related support.

Individuals who feel they have been treated unfairly by the rehabilitation system can request advocacy and support from the Client Assistance Program within the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

Alexandria Vocational Services (AVS) offers supported group and sheltered employment; crews providing office assistance and janitorial service; and on-the-job training. For City of Alexandria residents only.

(703) 370-5138

Brain Injury Services provides case management for survivors of brain injuries ages 16 and older.

(703) 352-1656

Central Fairfax Services, Inc. is a private, non-profit agency providing developmental and vocational services to adults with mental retardation and related disabilities. Support services include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, behavior management, rehabilitation engineering, and nursing care. Employment opportunities include community based and sheltered. All employees receive wages.

(703) 354-0900

The Chimes, Inc. is a non-sectarian, not-for-profit agency dedicated to helping children, adults, and senior citizens with mental retardation and related disabilities move from dependence to independence. The Vocational Services Program trains adults, 21 years and older, develop behavior, skills, and work habits necessary for employment. The Day Habilitation Program serves adults 21 years. and older for whom vocational training is not a current priority. This program focuses on promoting skills for socialization, hygiene, personal care, leisure time, mobility, and basic living.

(703) 934-6146 or (800) 924-4637.

Cooperative Employment Program (CEP) provides supported competitive employment services to eligible individuals with developmental disabilities. CEP is jointly funded by the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) and the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) and serves individuals meeting eligibility criteria in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church City.

Using an individualized approach, skills are assessed, jobs are analyzed, and on-the-job training for individuals and disability awareness training for employers are provided. Extensive follow-up services are provided to ensure the success of the job placement. In addition to the job-training component, CEP offers mobility training to enhance individual ability to use public transportation. For more information contact Evan Jones at CEP.

(703) 359-1124.

Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) provides vocational rehabilitation services through the 40 regional offices located across the state. It cooperates with other agencies in providing counseling, physical/mental restoration, training, and job placement for all disabilities including mental retardation. DRS also provides community transition programs for individuals with severe physical disabilities, operates the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, and provides a variety of services through the Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS www.vcu.edu/rrtcweb/vats/).

DRS and the Community Services Board (CSB) work cooperatively to provide supported employment programs to place and train job-ready clients with mental disabilities where they will receive one-to-one training and extensive follow-along services. Eligibility: Fairfax, Alexandria, or Arlington adults with mental disabilities. Referrals must be made through the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

Alexandria Office (serves Alexandria and southern Fairfax County)

(703) 960-3411

Annandale Office (serves Annandale, Arlington, Falls Church)

(703) 813-1340

Fair Oaks Service Outreach Center (serves Fairfax County)

(703) 359-1124

Manassas Office (serves Manassas, Sterling, Leesburg, Herndon, Reston)

(703) 335-5550

Didlake, Inc. offers a l2 month, 5-day week, 7-hour program to adults who are physically and mentally disabled over the age of 2l; and for ages l6-2l only if not appropriately served by public schools. Program provides for sheltered employment, work adjustment training, and job placement. Pre-vocational training is also available. Serves Prince William County, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Western Fairfax County.

(703) 36l-4l95
(703) 369-5888

ECHO (Every Citizen Has Opportunities, Inc.) assists persons with disabilities in securing and maintaining integrated community-based employment, functional community skills, and socialization training.

(703) 779-2100

E-TRON Systems is a group supported employment provider that operates three businesses: electronic manufacturing, crafts manufacturing, and a bakery, Wildflour Bread Mill, in Fairfax.

(703) 690-2731
(703) 273-2345

Excel Networking Group is a job search network for people with disabilities.

(703) 573-7550

Goodwill Industries offers testing, physical examination, evaluation, psychological tests, try-outs under supervision in some on-the-job training fields, and job training for individuals with mental retardation ages 16 and older.

(202) 636-4225

ICON Community Services, Inc. provides technical assistance and information of businesses about supported employment and hiring people with disabilities; acts as liaison between private and public sector organizations; provides intensive training and ongoing support to people in supported employment. In addition, ICON provides residential support services through their program called Community Living Services.

(703) 548-4048

Job Discovery, Inc. is a non-profit, tax exempt, human service organization devoted to improving care and services for people with mental retardation/developmental disabilities throughout Virginia. Provides community based employment, individualized job placement, training, and ongoing supervision. Also offers group/residential program services in Arlington.

(703) 385-004l

Laurie Mitchell Employment Center offers employment enhancement and computer training to help people with disabilities gain financial independence, and achieve employment goals and dreams.

(703) 461-3886

Mt. Vernon-Lee Enterprises, Inc. serves adults with severe mental retardation ages l8 and up. Programs include: (l) developmental/pre-vocational; (2) work activity/work experience; (3) transitional job training (TJT) (training of a small group in enclave or workstation on actual competitive job site, on-going supervision by project staff). Transportation is available.

(703) 569-3900

Operation Job Match is a job readiness program for persons with adult onset physical disabilities (multiple sclerosis, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, diabetes and stroke). Job placement and job readiness program is geared toward helping clients return to work, stay on the job, and write resumes. Counseling offered to clients and employers.

(202) 887-0l36

Project WORD provides case management services to adults ages 22 and over with physical and sensory disabilities. This may be expanded to include other disabilities. For residents of Arlington only.

(703) 525-9673

Rock Creek Foundation provides community support services for persons with mental health and behavioral support needs 18 years and older. Career Designs offers assessment and career planning, job development, placement and on-the-job training. Community Living offers family and individual skills training and support to facilitate personal self care, use of community resources, household management and related activities of daily living. Community Skill Building offers psychosocial day milieu support; functional community skills training; socialization support & training; interpersonal skills training; behavioral self-management training, and leisure & recreation support. Services are offered individually or in combination.

(301) 589-8303

Saint John’s Community Services provides opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities and a wide range of other disabilities to develop skills and build relationships that enable them to become active participants in their communities. Through community-based services and established community partnerships, people with disabilities have opportunities to learn and achieve their dreams. St. John's offers Supported Employment Services and Community Participation Services in which persons with disabilities volunteer at local non-profit agencies.

(703) 914-2755

Service Source (formerly Fairfax Opportunities Unlimited) provides a comprehensive vocational rehabilitation service for adults with mental retardation, physical and mental disabilities. Paid, structured employment opportunities are provided in clerical and assembly work, enclaves (supported employment), government contracts, and individual placement.

(703) 461-6000

SOC Enterprises provides vocational programs including work adjustment training, sheltered employment and job placement assistance to adults with disabilities to assist them in achieving their optimal level of vocational development and self-sufficiency. For residents of Northern Virginia l8 years and older. No transportation. Sliding scale fee.

(703) 521-4441

Saint Coletta of Greater Washington, Inc. operates a day support program in Old Town Alexandria. The program provides opportunities for adults with cognitive disabilities to participate in vocational and life skills training and community integration activities. The focus of the program is to help each consumer become as independent as possible. Activities include gardening, weaving, community job-sampling, cooking and meal planning, community based instruction, and music therapy.

(703) 683-3686

Woodmont Center provides a variety of services and/or employment opportunities including sheltered and supported employment to adults ages 22 and older with mental retardation. Transportation is available. Woodmont operates under the auspices of the Arlington County Department of Human Services.

(703) 228-6343

Villa Maria Centre, Ltd. is a private, non-profit, non-discriminatory day center for adults with developmental disabilities, l8 years and older. The five-day, year-round program offers clients individual planned programs as deemed appropriate; academic enhancements in basic reading, math, spelling, communication/language, interpersonal skills, diet, nutrition, exercise, pre-vocational/vocational training, community service projects and planned socials.

(703) 24l-lll0