Press Release
Date: January 2012
Connecting consumer with vocational opportunities
By LINDA D. SMITH, Public Relations Director
Champaign Residential Services, Inc.
If you are a customer at The Depot Coffee House in Urbana, you may have seen Larry Farmer at work, while learning employment skills.
Larry resides in a men’s group home with four other roommates. CRSI provides 24-hour ICF/DD services (intermediate care facility for developmental disabilities) at the group home, managed by Molly McGuire. He is also a participant in CRSI’s Adult Day Services program where he receives vocational training while working with the agency’s janitorial department.
During his annual service plan review, Larry indicated that he would like to work more; so CRSI staff members put his desire in motion.
A community partnership soon developed that would assist Larry with his vocational interests. A Community Based Work Assessment (CBWA) was initiated by Laura Reynolds, QDDP* and Carrie Foley, QDDP, by referring Larry to the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR), to be interviewed and evaluated for possible jobs in the community. He identified restaurants as his vocational interest and was given the opportunity to work at The Depot Coffee House in Urbana for a two week period.
United Rehabilitation Services of Greater Dayton (URS) was assigned as his provider and Job Coach Beth Gill began working with Larry on his vocational skills. With supervision provided by URS and transportation provided by CRSI, Larry went to work each day to happily perform his duties at the coffee shop. “I like to sweep and dust,” says Larry. “I can wash windows and do what they ask. I like my job.”
After his two week experience at The Depot Coffee House, Larry can explore other community-based employment opportunities that help meet his desire to work, earn a paycheck and be a part of the community.
QDDP - Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional