Day and Employment Opportunities for Individuals with I/DD and Forensic/Sexual Offending Behaviors is proudly presented to you by The Arc. Thank you. We hope that you enjoy your course.
For the last 25 years the Specialized Employment Services (SES) program at CLASS, Inc./The Arc of Greater Lawrence. has supported individuals in a community-based, therapeutic work setting. Currently the program supports 58 individuals, both male and female, contracted through the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health, and Rehabilitation Commission. Individuals who are forensically involved, SORB (Sex Offender Registry Board) identified, and/or exhibit dangerous behaviors present unique challenges regarding day and employment services. CLASS’s SES program employs a person-centered, data-based treatment model to provide effective vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with developmental, cognitive, mental health, and/or SORB-related, high-risk issues. The SES program structure relies on a staffing ratio of 1 to 4 and emphasizes the therapeutic value of employment for individuals with complex life experiences, psychiatric diagnoses and behavioral challenges. The SES treatment approach incorporates a multi-tiered model of universal expectations for all individuals in the program, which includes targeted group contingencies for identified issues and individualized treatment interventions designed to address significantly challenging issues. This webinar will provide an SES program overview and the obstacles and opportunities in providing this treatment modality will be discussed.