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Supported Employment

At Rivershore our Mission is to support people who live with developmental disabilities as they pursue and achieve a meaningful life.  We believe that meaningful work is an essential part of living a meaningful life, and we support people in Niagara County seeking to find employment.   

Rivershore, Inc. is an approved provider of Supported Employment services through ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation, formally known as VESID), and New York State OPWDD (Office for People with Developmental Disabilities).

 When should I apply for Supported Employment Services?

  • When you are ready to work
  • When you are transitioning out of High School or College
  • When you are working in a non-integrated setting and you want to work in the community earning fair wages.
  • When you have worked in the community before and need assistance to re-enter the work force

 Depending on your situation we will work with you to access the type of employment supports that best meet your needs.  This may include:

  • Information about how to apply for ACCES-VR services
  • Information about how to get employment services from OPWDD, including OPWDD’s internship program.
  • Have a unique situation?  Let’s talk about it.

 What do Rivershore’s employment services include?

  • A vocational assessment developed between you and your Employment Specialist based on your strengths and interests
  • Job Developing
    • Learning what employers expect from employees
    • Support with completing job applications
    • Support with conducting job interviews
  • On and offsite coaching once you get a job
    • On the job support to learn the tasks of your position, if you choose to disclose to your employer that you have an employment specialist
    • Monthly contact with your employer, if you choose to disclose to your employer that you have an employment specialist
    • Offsite coaching when you have questions about your work, and as needed.
  • Support accessing information about your New York Makes Work Pay benefits and entitlements
  • A collaboration between you, your Employment Specialist, and your ACCES-VR or OPWDD counselor
  • Support from your Employment Specialist to achieve the goals developed in your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

 

For more information regarding ACCES-VR, OPWDD and the New York Makes Work Pay below is a list of helpful websites:

http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr/do/handbook.htm

http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/hp_services_workvolday.jsp

http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/nymakesworkpay/index.cfm

 

To apply for ACCES-VR services

Niagara County Residents please contact the

Buffalo District Office

508 Main Street

Buffalo, New York 14202

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

General information: 1-888-652-7062

Central Number (716) 848-8001 or 
TTY: 716-848-8105

For more information or questions about Supported Employment services at Rivershore, Inc. please contact April Wilcox, Employment Program Supervisor at (716) 754-7272 ext 29 or email at awilcox@rivershore.org 

Employer:

Rivershore works with businesses in the greater Niagara area to create solutions for their workforce needs.  We match employees with jobs that best fit their interests and skills, and our Employment Specialists will design a job-placement and on-site training plan to maximize natural supports and facilitate long-term employment success.  All employers are eligible to take advantage of federal and state tax credits (WOTC & WETC).