"Supporting adults with developmental disabilities in employment and job training in the Sussex County community."

SCARC’s Employment Connections department has been providing job training and job placement to adults with developmental disabilities since 1989.  Employment Connections matches individuals with abilities and interests to employers in the Sussex County community.

Employment Connections works with over 50 employers in Sussex County to provide capable and trained individuals with a variety of job assignments.

Employment Connections staff assure that individuals who want to work are given the opportunity for real jobs with real pay in an inclusive work environment.  Intensive on-site training is provided to workers, and various levels of support are provided to the worker to assure long term job success.

Employment Connections workers are placed in part-time and full-time jobs depending on factors such as job availability, ability to sustain work over time and areas of interest. 

Employment Connections uses several supportive employment models in order to match everyone’s interest and needs to the workplace:

• Individual employment is a model in which an individual is placed on the job and supports are provided as needed over time.
• Mobile crews is a model in which a few individual workers work together as a crew at certain job sites. Currently SCARC utilizes three mobile crews for cleaning assignments throughout Sussex County.
• Enclave is a model in which a group of workers are assigned to one employer and work within the company to achieve work assignments.

Employment Connections uses a concept of job carving in which an interested employer carves out a job assignment for a person assigned to the company by SCARC.  In this way the Employment Connections staff can work with the employers representative to assure job success.

Employment Specialists support workers on the job and are employed by SCARC’s Employment Connections.  Employment Specialists essentially assure success for the worker on the job. Employment Specialists act as a communication conduit whereby work challenges are addressed between the employer and SCARC.  Employment Specialists are trained in the skills of job supports, job carving, job follow-along and employment related laws and regulations.

SCARC’s Employment Connections department is funded by the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities and the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

For more information about SCARC’s Employment Connections, contact our Employment Connections department at the Augusta administrative headquarters.