“I have a passion for working with kids. They are energetic and eager to learn,” said Riley, a 21-year-old Ocean City resident. “I know with my hard work and commitment I’ll achieve my dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher.”
– Riley, Pre-ets Graduate & Supported Employment Client
“Work promotes wellness in all dimensions: emotional, financial, social, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and environmental (Swarbrick 2015).”
Vocational Services
Our Vocational Services are rooted in the belief that meaningful work is beneficial for everyone and that anyone who wants to work should have the opportunity to do so. We specialize in assisting individuals facing barriers to employment, including disabilities, justice involvement, employment gaps, and housing instability. Our comprehensive services are available to individuals aged 14 and older in Atlantic and Cape May Counties.
We collaborate with a variety of employers to create job opportunities, including Walmart, Atlanticare Health System, Tony’s Baltimore Grill, Home Depot, Shore Local Magazine, and numerous Atlantic City casinos. In 2023 alone, nearly 200 people benefited from our career pathway assessments and work-readiness training, with over half securing employment long-term employment. Our goal is to support individuals in overcoming employment barriers and achieving lasting career success.
Vocational Services Include:
- Resume building
- Mock Interviewing
- Career Exploration
- Vocational assessment
- Work-readiness training
- Job coaching
- Financial literacy education
- Work readiness and ability skills training
- Employment locator
- Connection to further education / college tours
- Transportation training and planning
- Basic soft skills instruction and support
- Benefits counseling
- Employment Success Interventions
- Job-based exploration and experience
- Self-advocacy training
- Worksite placement and job shadowing
To support residents in Atlantic and Cape May Counties this program provides access to job training, helps people overcome employment barriers, and increases household income. The program assists individuals with medical or mental health diagnoses, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), justice involvement, underemployment, or those re-entering the workforce through personalized job coaching, vocational counseling, skill development workshops and hosting job fairs. By fostering strong partnerships with small and large businesses, we connect qualified workers with employment opportunities. Our dedicated team of job coaches and vocational staff is committed to creating successful matches between employees and employers, helping individuals achieve long-term employment success and supporting businesses in meeting their workforce needs.
Dedicated to assisting teens and young adults with disabilities in Atlantic and Cape May Counties, aged 16-24, this initiative supports out-of-school youth in finding stable employment and achieving their career goals. We help participants and their family transition from high school to the workforce or further education by offering comprehensive guidance, valuable connections, and ongoing support. Whether they aspire to work, continue their education, join the military, or pursue job training, our program is designed to meet their unique needs and empower them to succeed.
At JFS, we help individuals aged 14 and older in Atlantic and Cape May Counties with barriers to employment develop the skills needed to become valuable workers and secure meaningful jobs. Our supportive employment services provide personalized assistance in finding and maintaining employment, ensuring long-term success through ongoing support. This often leads to Long Term Follow Along, a program that helps individuals retain their jobs over time. As a trusted vendor for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), we take referrals and offer comprehensive support to help individuals achieve their employment goals.
Designed specifically to support high school and college students with disabilities, including those with an IEP or 504 plan, as they transition from school to the workforce or post-secondary education. Our dedicated staff work closely with individuals to develop personalized career plans aligned with their abilities and interests. With offerings including paid internships, job-based exploration, soft skills development, and communication training, the Pre-ETS program equips young individuals with the tools and resources needed to succeed in their future endeavors. Services are provided to those who qualify, ensuring accessibility for all eligible participants aged 14 to 21 currently enrolled in school. In some situations, paid internships are available.
By opening your job searches to qualified individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment, you can save money while gaining access to a vital pool of quality employees.
Potential Benefits for Hiring JFS Vocational Participants:
- Access to Pre-Screened, Qualified Candidates
- Strengthen commitment to diversity and inclusion
- On-the-job training funds or paid internship opportunities
- On-Site job coaching and support for employee
- Disability Etiquette Training
- $2,400 – $9,600 Average Tax Credit