Through our service, teaching, and research, we will contribute to creating an environment where individuals with disabilities are independent and enjoy careers of choice.
About WorkWorks
WorkWorks is web-based certificate program is designed for employment specialists and job coaches who assist persons with significant disabilities to direct their own support systems and to become successfully employed in careers of choice. The program’s curriculum is endorsed by the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE). Graduates are awarded ACRE’s National Certificate of Achievement in Employment Services (Professional Level with 1 year applicable work experience) and are included in ACRE’s National Registry. Over 350 professionals have participated in the course with students from 34 states, Canada (Alberta, Ontario, & Quebec), South Africa and Germany.
As we provide services to Georgians and citizens nationwide, we are committed to a structure that responds to new initiatives with the same quality service and responsiveness our customers currently enjoy. Through a faculty emphasizing individual creativity and outstanding customer service, WorkWorks provides developmental experiences to people who value choice and meaningful careers for persons with disabilities and youth at risk. Our mission is to create an environment where individuals with disabilities and youth at risk are independent and enjoy careers of choice.
History of Work Works
Founded in 1978, the Human Services Management Institute (now WorkWorks) has a successful history of providing unique human resource development experiences to individuals concerned with rehabilitation and disability issues. Our emphasis continues to be on outcomes and changing organizational culture; promoting choice and meaningful careers for people with disabilities; and, providing outstanding customer service. More recently, our emphasis has expanded to include youth at risk. Our mission is accomplished through many individuals who participate in our skill development offerings, organizational development experiences, and community intervention activities.
Certificate Program
This is a distance education course that students can take while working in their present job coach or employment specialist position. Our faculty and staff recognize your job demands and your support needs. The program's curriculum reflects an awareness of the skills you must have to work successfully with people who have significant disabilities. This opportunity will contribute to your professional development and to the people you serve. In addition, we welcome persons who are interested in developing skills to become job coaches. We recognize that students will be at different learning levels and it is our goal to tailor the course to each individual.This is a distance education course that students can take while working in their present job coach or employment specialist position. Our faculty and staff recognize your job demands and your support needs. The program's curriculum reflects an awareness of the skills you must have to work successfully with people who have significant disabilities. This opportunity will contribute to your professional development and to the people you serve. In addition, we welcome persons who are interested in developing skills to become job coaches. We recognize that students will be at different learning levels and it is our goal to tailor the course to each individual.This is a distance education course that students can take while working in their present job coach or employment specialist position. Our faculty and staff recognize your job demands and your support needs. The program's curriculum reflects an awareness of the skills you must have to work successfully with people who have significant disabilities. This opportunity will contribute to your professional development and to the people you serve. In addition, we welcome persons who are interested in developing skills to become job coaches. We recognize that students will be at different learning levels and it is our goal to tailor the course to each individual.
Certificate Course Description
Ten units will be covered during a 40-week period. The format for each unit will involve readings, application of course material in your work, other assignments, bulletin board and listserv discussions with classmates and instructors, and a variety of student presentations. Students will take a final examination at the completion of the 40-week course. Each course will be made up of 15 job coaches/employment specialists and each student will be assigned to an instructor. The major instructors are University of Georgia faculty in the College of Education. Advisers are available to help students throughout the course. Students will be able to maintain their connections with classmates and other job coaches/employment through the job coach network.
Opportunities
The National Web Based Training Project is a certification program designed for Job Coaches and Employment Specialists who assist persons with significant disabilities to direct their own support systems and to become successfully employed in careers they choose and with which they are satisfied for an extended period of time. The program’s purpose is to provide a certificate, competency-based program to current and potential employees of public and nonprofit private agencies that offer employment services to persons with the most significant disabilities. The on-line training program is a 160 contact hour course offered over up to 40 weeks. There are 9 units of on-line instruction, job-based assignments, and discussion sessions. Through extensive information sharing, all persons who work as job coaches and employment specialists will have the opportunity to participate in a peer support system on the internet. An online seminar on the use of the WEB will be available at all times.
Characteristics
- This course offers a flexible training format for fitting staff development into a daily work setting.
- Job coaches/employment specialists will be able to enhance their knowledge and increase their level of professionalism through this certification program.
- Job coaches and employment specialists can interact online in order to learn about different ways to help people with significant disabilities get and keep jobs.
- Information and resources are current and are continually being gathered from experts in supported employment.
- Job coaches/employment specialists will learn and apply practical methods of solving problems and assisting people with significant disabilities as they gain and maintain employment.
Outcomes
- Job coaches/employment specialists will have the skills to provide the work-related assistance that individuals need to get and keep jobs.
- Job coaches/employment specialists will learn marketing approaches which include assessing how the employer will be affected by employing an individual with a most severe disability.
- Job coaches/employment specialists will recognize the importance of spending time in a company in order to learn about the natural supports available.
- Job coaches/employment specialists will learn strategies for addressing negative employer attitudes.
- Individuals with disabilities will be able to make choices at all times during the employment process.
- Individuals with disabilities will be integrated into the workplace.
- The job coach/employment specialist position will be enhanced by this certificate program.
