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Commonly,
there are questions regarding supported employment services. Our goal is to be as clear as possible so,
hopefully, the following section helps with any inquiries that you may
have. However, if it does not, please
feel free to contact us at 630.955.2079.
How do I register for services with PAEP?
You can download an application by clicking here.
When you have completed it in it’s entirety, please mail it to:
Parents Alliance Employment Project ,
Attn: Application for Services,
2525 Cabot Dr. Suite 302
Lisle , IL 60532
How much do services
cost?
The
services provided by Parents Alliance Employment Project are free for clients
and employers. PAEP receives funding
from a variety of sources, including state, county and local community high
schools to support the services that are provided.
How
long are services provided/How long does a participant remain an “active
client” of your agency?
The
services provided by PAEP are extremely individualized and based on each
individual’s needs as they relate to employment. Therefore, the length of time may differ for every person. The average time that a person works with
PAEP is 10-12 months. This timeframe
includes all aspects of services from intake appointment to job-readiness
training to placement and coaching.
Is transportation
available?
Independence
is the goal of all supported employment.
For that reason, Parents Alliance Employment Project relies on public
transportation and does not transport clients to and from work. We are a sponsor of the Ride DuPage
program, which is a door-to-door taxi service that will take the employee to
and from work for a minimal fee of $3 for the first 5 miles and an additional
$1 for each mile thereafter. This
service is only available for clients that are employed and will only take
them to the workplace and home.
Do you provide
services for all or specific groups of people with disabilities?
Parents
Alliance Employment Project will work with people who have any documented
disability that have the motivation to become competitively employed.
What
services do you provide besides employment (residential, recreational, etc.)?
PAEP
works closely with other local agencies that provide an array of services to
individuals with disabilities and will work with clients to make appropriate
referrals to these agencies.
How
does your agency work with the Division of
Rehabilitation Services (DRS)?
Clients
are referred to us by DRS initially.
The client and PAEP will work together to reach employment goals and
this process is monitored by DRS. The
team (PAEP, DRS and client) works very closely with each other to make sure
progress is being made.
Do
you provide employment support for long-term volunteering or non-paid
positions?
Parents
Alliance Employment Project only provides services to people who are looking
for competitive employment or who are already competitively employed and need
job coaching.
How
does a graduating high school student with a disability become a client of
PAEP?
Many
options exist for supported employment services for graduating special
education students. It is very
important to gather these resources together before leaving the school
system. Upon graduation, each student
and their school Vocational Coordinator in conjunction with the Division of
Rehabilitation of Services (DRS) Transitional Counselor should work together
to identify the student’s needs as it relates to employment. At this time, a “universal application for
vocational and day program services” should be filled out and sent to
agencies of their choice. It is the student’s responsibility to choose which
agency most fits their needs. PAEP
staff are happy to meet with students and/or their parents and attend any
school staffings to facilitate the transition process.
Is
there a waitlist?
There
may be a short wait time for services, however, PAEP staff can work with you
during this time to begin the job search process.
How
do the tax credits work?
Under
the Federal Income Tax Code, there are two tax credit programs and one income
deduction program for businesses that employ and accommodate people with
disabilities. (1) The Targeted Jobs
Tax Credit (Code Section 51) provides for a tax credit for up to 40% of the
first $6,000 in wages for a new employee with a disability who was referred
to you by a qualified agency. (2) The
Disabled Access Tax Credit (Code Section 44) provides annual tax credit of up
to 50% of “eligible access expenditures” to small businesses that incur costs
necessary to accommodate people with disabilities. (3) Code Section 190 permits a deduction of up to $15,000 per
year for costs associated with the removal of certain architectural and
transportation barriers that make your business more accessible for people
with disabilities.
I’m
an employer and I am concerned about my health insurance rates going up if I
hire an individual with a disability.
Is this something that I should be worried about?
Not
necessarily. A businesses group
health plan’s cost depends on a number of factors including the coverage
provided and the health of those who use the coverage. The ADA
does not require that your company provide additional coverage, it
just prohibits you from treating employees with disabilities differently from
others under the group health plan.
What will an “Employment Specialist” do for
me when my case is open?
An
Employment Specialist is a trained career counselor who works with people
with disabilities to help them gain the employment they are looking for. If the individual is not sure what they
are looking for, the Employment Specialist can help them assess their skills
and come up with some possible jobs to look into. Once the client is positive about what position they are looking
for, the Employment Specialist will go out in the community on the client’s
behalf and contact employers about job opportunities. This process is called job development as
well. When a position is obtained,
the Employment Specialist is also the Job Coach on the employment site if the
client needs more help in learning the skills necessary for the position.
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