Employment
Transitional Employment
Transitional Employment Program (TEP) is a highly structured program for members returning to work in local business and industry. Transitional Employment placements are at the employer’s place of business, are part-time (15-20 hours per week), and include a lot of on-the-job and off-site support from Clubhouse staff and other members. These placements generally last from six to nine months. Members can then try another placement or move on to independent employment. Transitional Employment is specifically designed as a vocational rehabilitation program where a member can gain or re-gain the skills and confidence necessary to have a job while he or she is employed in a “real world” position. The only requirement for the member to participate in Transitional Employment is the expressed desire to work. We will also offer Social Security counseling on how working will affect your benefits.
Supported Employment
Supported Employment is a Clubhouse employment program, in which members receive help accessing and being successful with employment at a community business or public employer. However, Supported Employment positions are not time limited. They can be career-oriented and may provide opportunities for advancement within the company. The Clubhouse staff still provide on-site and off-site support for the member and the employer as needed and requested. There is usually a competitive interview process for the position, and the job is not set aside for the Clubhouse. In Supported Employment, the job may be full- or part-time and paid at the prevailing wage for the position. The type and duration of the support provided to the member and the employer may differ from member to member, and from job to job, and may eventually no longer be needed.
Independent Employment
Independent Employment is a program through which members, when ready, are broadly helped by the Clubhouse to seek and obtain a job of their own. The Clubhouse then provides ongoing support and encouragement for the members as long as they remain employed and want assistance. There is no on-site support at the place of business for members in Independent Employment; all support takes place at the Clubhouse, or in the community.
But what do the staff look for when they are selecting a member to work in a T.E.P., and how do you know if you are ready to work? Staff look for a member that is fully involved in the Charter House program. Someone that has a positive, helpful attitude and is willing to help out when the need arises. Ask yourself the following questions to assess your readiness for employment. Remember that Charter House can be seen as a potential employer, so put your best effort forward to make a positive impression with the staff and members to show that you would like to work for the company!
1. Am I attending Charter House 3 days a week?
2. Am I arriving to Charter House by 9am and participating in morning meeting on each of those days?
3. Am I signing up for unit tasks on those days and completing all of the tasks that I sign up for?
4. Am I attending house meeting on Wednesday at 1pm if I come to Charter House that day?
5. Am I demonstrating my “readiness to work” by having a positive and helpful attitude?
6. Am I completing my Lemon (Charter House goals) monthly?
7. If I am sick and cannot come to Charter House on my scheduled days, am I contacting my point person and letting them know?
8. Am I dressing appropriately (i.e. not wearing coat and hat in building, having clean clothes and hair and no body odor?)
9. Am I asking if anyone else needs help or if there are other tasks to do when I complete my own tasks?
10. Am I having appropriate interactions with others? (which includes being respectful of others, being able to control my emotions appropriately, being considerate and kind to everyone)
11. Finally, am I doing all of the above consistently and continually? If you are selected to work in a T.E.P., you will not only be expected to do all of the above, but we will expect that you will continue to meet those expectations.