Supported Employment

NW Works offers supported employment programs to ensure you are successful at work. Our team of Employment Specialists, often referred to as Job Coaches, will accompany you to work as often as you and your support team determine is necessary. Supported Employment opportunities include Individual Supported Employment and Group Supported Employment.

A young woman is shown smiling at the camera as she pauses from tagging shorts. She has several pairs of shorts in front of her that have already been tagged. Beside her are fitting rooms.

Pictured: Kelly, NW Works Team Member & Plato’s Closet Employee

  • In this program, you will be supported in selecting, securing, and sustaining competitive, integrated employment in the community. You will receive ongoing training and assistance from one of NW Works' Employment Specialists to reach your career goals. In collaboration with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, you will work with a Employment Specialist and a Vocational Counselor to identify the amount of assistance you will need to learn job tasks and meet the expectations of your employer. Once you and your support team determine that you can complete the essential functions of your job, long term follow-along support may be provided as needed, or you can choose to phase out of job coaching services.

    Read Kelly’s (pictured) success story of Individual Supported Employment by clicking the button below.

I'm interested in this
Read Kelly's Success Story
A group of NW Works team members and a job coach stand with employees at Axalta. All people in the picture are wearing hard hats and some form of a protective or approved vest.

Photo Courtesy of Axalta

  • In this program, you will work in a team environment, with both disabled and nondisabled coworkers at one of our partner job sites. An NW Works Employment Specialist will provide support at all times to ensure quality, individualized care even in a group setting. Group Supported sites include production line work, assembly, and other group assignments. As you learn the roles and responsibilities at the group sites, you may choose to transfer your skillset and pursue Individual Supported Employment at any job site you choose.

I'm interested in this

  • To employers who are considering partnering with NW Works, I would say don’t consider it, just do it. If you have the resources and ability to provide opportunities for those who struggle to find a place in the workplace, then do it. We live in a world that praises success and independence while devaluing the support and accommodations that so many need in order to reach these goals.

    Mac Hall, Plato’s Closet Manager

  • Ever since my son received a job coach, he's succeeded in everything. His job coach is changing lives. She follows through, is caring, and conscientious... I could go on and on. We've really lucked out with a job coach.

    Parent of a Program Participant

  • The employees and job coaches are on time and with their support, our employees complete their tasks timely, accurately, and efficiently, and most importantly, they are not afraid to try new tasks and challenge themselves to work hard.

    Caroline Labrecque, Aramark Director of Retail Services at Shenandoah University Brand Student Center

  • We feel very fortunate to have these hardworking individuals from NW Works as part of our team… The labor market is incredibly tight and competitive right now, so the employees who come to us from NW Works have become an essential part of our day-to-day operations.

    Zachary Lauer, Trex Company Vice President

  • Jonah has a positive demeanor and is always friendly with our guests. He is consistently cracking jokes and making the team laugh. Jonah pays attention to the tasks at hand and asks questions if he needs clarification. NW Works has been greatly involved in Jonah’s success.

    Holly, AMC General Manager

  • My job coach has helped me and explained things carefully to me and helped me have a positive attitude.

    Program Participant

Why Hire People with Disabilities?

A young man is shown holding an industrial mixer with both hands as he smiles at the camera. The mixer is inserted into a tub of red sauce that is likely salsa. Behind the man an industrial kitchen can be seen.
A young man is shown smiling at the camera as he prepares guacamole.

Photo from Aramark at Shenandoah University

Hiring people with disabilities brings a number of benefits, from added diversity in your workplace to government incentives. According to a study by The Institute for Corporate Productivity, individuals with developmental disabilities contributed to higher productivity rates, increased customer loyalty, and lower absenteeism.

To learn more, check out the resources at the Department of Labor’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month website.

Hire Today