The Independence Program

The Independence Program serves the vocational needs of adults in Tuscarawas County with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities. The purpose of the program is to seek employment and provide training for these adults. We offer job placement and on-the-job training and support.

The Independence Program is an excellent choice for those individuals with the desire, ability and willingness to work in the community. There are many options, too, such as janitorial job sites for those who wish to utilize and enhance their cleaning skills. Of if you're not sure what you would like to try, we provide job-site visits to places of employment and provide job training for anyone wishing to obtain a community job.

Advantageous to Employees and Employers Alike

For Employees:

1. We provide trainers who will train the employee on the job and assist him/her through the initial adjustment period.
2. Training lasts as long as necessary, depending on the difficulty of the job.
3. Our trainers spend time in the work environment learning the job prior to the new employee starting the job.
4. A task analysis is developed, breaking down the job into teachable steps, and a systematic approach to training is implemented.
5. We work closely with the employer to make sure the job is not altered, but developed to meet their needs as well as the employee's.
6. All services are provided to the employee at no charge.

For Employers:

1. As an employer, your time is minimized. Our trainers have the expertise to work with people in any work environment, and will work with the new employee, following your job specifications.
2. The presence of a trainer serves to keep productivity high from the first day. We balance learning the job with productivity.
3. Our trainers help develop open communications between the employer, new employees and other staff, and are concerned with both the vocational and social requirements of the job.
4. Employers may request that a trainer be scheduled for retraining if job duties are expanded or if the employee is experiencing a difficulty, whether large or small.
5. All services are provided to the employer at no charge.
6. Applicants are selected to best meet the needs of your business.
7. We maintain contact with you and the employee to monitor performance as long as necessary.
8. We re-train your employee when job duties change or are expanded, or if a problem arises.