The Arc of New Jersey Project HIRE
Michael Prendergast, Director
Project HIRE: Making the connection between New Jersey employers and people with developmental disabilities
 New Jersey businesses need dependable workers
. Individuals with developmental disabilities need jobs. Project HIRE brings them together.
Project HIRE is an employment placement and training program for adults with developmental disabilities. Its innovative approach assists
individuals in choosing a job and provides Employment Training Specialists (ETS) who train them to do a good job. After the training is completed, the ETS
continues to visit the work site to make sure everything is going well.
An ETS works with the employee at the job site. The Specialist also teaches actual job skills and how to get to and from work independently
, and assists with co-worker socialization.
Benefits to Employers
- Dependable, punctual employees who will stay on the job. Employees with developmental disabilities are not job-hoppers. They want to learn a job, stay with it and work hard.
- Free screening, interviewing and training.
- Publicity about employer participation.
- Federal Targeted Jobs Tax Credit.
Benefits to Participants
- The opportunity to hold a real job and earn competitive wages.
- Careful matching of the individual to the job.
- Lifelong access to an Employment Training Specialist.
- The opportunity to make new friends.
- The development of self-esteem that comes from holding a job.
Facts About Workers with Developmental Disabilities
Some employers hesitate to hire applicants with developmental disabilities because they are convinced
that individuals with disabilities can't handle regular employment.
Not so! Actually the opposite is true. Surveys by the U.S. Department of Labor show that they are an asset to their companies.
 They often outdistance their non disabled peers in task performance,
motivation and job satisfaction.
They have excellent records - often much better than other employees - in areas such as work safety, punctuality and job tenure.
Their attendance record is better than the average employee
Many come to the job with valuable training from vocational education classes.
Project HIRE Transition Services: Helping New Jersey's Students with Disabilities Make the Connection Between School and Work
Project HIRE's Transition Services are designed to assist schools in developing and implementing quality
transition plans for students in special education programs.
We make successful transition from school to work a reality for students with disabilities.
- Students and their families are actively involved in the transition process.
- Students can make informed decisions about future vocational goals and objectives.
- Students will have a realistic picture of the world of work and all its responsibilities.
- Project HIRE's Transition Specialists are available to attend IEP meetings and make recommendations on a student's transition plan.
Preparing students for the world of work is one of the most important components of the
transition plan. Project HIRE offers four services for successful transition planning:
- Community-Based Vocational Assessments which help students determine their preferences and abilities in real work environments.
- Job Shadowing and Sampling which gives students the opportunity to experience real jobs of their choosing in their own communities.
- Job Placement and Coaching which offer students paid work with supports to ensure success.
- Professional Consultation which assists schools in developing transition plans and their own supported employment programs.
Project HIRE Technical Assistance Services
Project HIRE provides technical assistance on state-of-the-art supported employment to service provider
agencies in New Jersey. Project HIRE's team of technical assistants have years of experience in:
- Job development for people with developmental disabilities.
- Assisting in the development of successful Habilitation and Transition plans.
- Providing quality job coaching and follow-along services.
- Community based assessment.
- Analyzing local labor markets and trends.
- Identifying supports and linkages.
- Utilizing state of the art practices and technology in all areas of employment supports
 Project HIRE, a program of The Arc of New Jersey, was established
in 1985 and has been instrumental in helping more than 900 individuals with developmental disabilities obtain competitive employment. Transition services have been available since 1993.
Project HIRE is funded by the New Jersey Division of
Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the New Jersey
Division of Developmental Disabilities.
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