Cedar+Valley+Services

Cedar Valley Services
2205 Myers Road  Albert Lea, MN 56007  (507) 377-2893 Website: cedarvalleyservices.org  || As you begin thinking about life after graduation, working is often naturally the next step. There are vocational programs available to assist you with finding a job and keeping a job. In Freeborn County, Cedar Valley Services Inc. employs and assists persons with disabilities. Vocational assistance can begin while the student is still in school through the school-to-work program. Vocational programming can be written into IEP’s and often can be a start to the transition process.  Vocational programs are generally structured so that a consumer with a diagnosed disability falls under one or two areas: Extended Employment (EE) or Day Training & Habilitation (DTH). The EE program generally serves those who need supported services, supervision, but have some established job and social skills. The DTH program serves those who have limited work and social skills, may need assistance with self-care, need close supervision, or possibly have severe impairments, which require special accommodations. A consumer’s team usually decides determining which program is appropriate. Various tests and evaluations may be used in the process.  <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">There are three types of vocational programs <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .25in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">** <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Facility-based work **<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> occurs in a workshop-type setting and may include production work or janitorial services. Generally those in the workshop require more immediate assistance and structure in order to successfully complete their assigned job. Hand-over-hand assistance is available. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .25in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">** <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Community-based jobs **<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> are set up in small crews, which go into area businesses with one or more supervisors to perform janitorial services, housekeeping, production, or food service work. Day and evening hours are often available. Those who work in the community require more self-direction and less staff intervention to successfully complete a job. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .25in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">** <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Competitive placement **<span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> is also offered as a vocational service if appropriate. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">A fee is paid to provide employment services. Situational assessments and training fees are usually funded by the Department of Rehabilitation Services. The local school will share this cost when the student is part of a school-to-work program. Long-term programming is generally paid for by the consumer's home county but can also be privately funded. <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">All consumers, whether receiving short-term training through the school-to-work program or hired as a long-term employee, are paid! <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;"> <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Contact: Holly Zemek, Department of Rehabilitation Services 1-800-657-3953 <span style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: 0in .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Contact: Theresa Day Cedar Valley Services, Inc. (507) 377-2893