Gaining financial and social independence is one of the key elements for the completion of treatment for Promesa clients.
• Vocational and Educational Services
Vocational and Educational Services
Financial independence can reinforce total physical, psychological and emotional health. Promesa's Department of Vocational and Educational Services uses motivational and therapeutic approaches to allow each client the opportunity to realize their academic potential as well as develop life-skills training leading to gainful employment.
Vocational and Educational Services staff understand the importance of providing individualized attention and customizing the program to fit each person's needs.
With that in mind, the department has formed alliances with many specialized training programs in institutions and corporations such as the New York Food & Hotel Management School and the Model Training Center Arts Institute.
Among the tools offered by Vocational/Educational Rehabilitation Services are:
- Vocational/Educational Assessment
- Level of functioning evaluation
- Individual (vocational/educational & employment) rehabilitation counseling
- Group (vocational/educational) rehabilitation counseling
- Life skills training
- Vocational/educational employment referrals & placement
- Vocational/educational/employment follow up and support
- Adult Basic Education (ABE) offered in English and Spanish
- Instruction and preparation for the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) offered in English and Spanish
- English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
- English Language Literacy Instruction for those who cannot read in English
- Introduction to Computers
- Web Page Design
Eligibility Requirements:
- Client/patient/resident of any of the Promesa programs
- Set fee of $150 per semester consisting of 3 months for community residents
- Eligibility requirements of at least 7th grade level education
- Payment plan availability upon request
Services Provided:
- English and Spanish language career exploration workshop
- Job readiness and resume writing workshops
- Vocational and educational referrals
- Individual and group counseling
- Life skills instruction
- Introduction to computers
- Self-paced instruction
- Internet access
- Employment listings
- Adult Basic Education (ABE) offered in English and Spanish
- General Equivalency Diploma (GED) preparation in English and Spanish
- English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
- Basic Education in Native Language (BENL)
The first step in the planning process of vocational rehabilitation is to conduct a needs assessment. Using key factors that identify the client's vocational interests, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes and functional limitations, the staff can help establish the client's preferred rehabilitation goal.
Measurable goals and objectives are then developed to address the identified need.
Among the tools used to assess client needs are:
- Career counseling and vocational guidance
- Career education, information and exploration
- Independence functioning
- Situational assessments
- Academic testing
- Interest inventory
Each evaluation tool provides the vocational rehabilitation counselor with the key factors that aid in assisting clients in employment, career development and independent living.
In the year 2000, we graduated 100 of our residents and members of the community from both the educational and vocational components of the program. Additionally, we had a total of 11 GED graduates and 120 graduates who completed a vocational training program and were fully prepared to seek employment.
Each year the numbers of clients successfully completing the program continue to rise, and with the development of new strategic plans to make the programs more desirable and interactive, Vocational and Educational Services hopes to assist many more residents and community members.
