Employment Services

Residential
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Hillside 3B

First floor bedroom available for a female in wheelchair-accessible apartment shared with four roommates in Hillside. Apartment includes washer and...
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We believe that all people can lead productive, fulfilling lives as contributing members of their communities. Comprehensive employment services at CAU assist individuals with disabilities with an array of employment needs, from prevocational training to supported employment. In addition to the broad array of employment services we provide to people with disabilities and youth-at-risk, CAU also works with schools to connect youth with vital services to enhance employment opportunities in adult life, and provides support to employers who are building an inclusive workforce with opportunities for people with disabilities.

Our employment services are accredited by The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and recognized by the NJ Department of Human Services – Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), and the Union County American Job Center.

Group of women in aprons in a kitchen

Career Planning

Through career planning, members receive assistance to help them obtain, maintain, or advance in competitive employment or self-employment.

Our focused, time-limited service helps members identify a career direction and develop a plan for achieving competitive, integrated employment at or above the state’s minimum wage.

Members who participate in career planning work with staff to evaluate their skills and interests using a variety of different tools and assessments, including:

  • Job preference inventory.
  • Job sampling.
  • Situational assessment.
  • Adult vocational profile.
  • Job skills inventory.
  • Individual skills inventory.
Sam's club employment services

Prevocational Training

Prevocational Training helps members gain general strengths and skills that increase their competitiveness for potential job opportunities. Whether these skills translate to paid employment, volunteer work, or participation in the CAU job club, our employment services team strives to connect your loved one with the ideal resources.

Depending on the member’s strengths and interests, Prevocational Training can teach your loved one:

  • Effective communication.
  • Time management.
  • Job application instruction.
  • Professional boundaries.
  • Interview skills.
  • Computer skills.
  • Resume writing.

These skills and more may be taught through volunteer opportunities or job club.

Supported Employment

Based on your loved one’s needs, Supported Employment allows members to seek full-time, competitive employment in a group or individual setting.

Small Group Supported Employment

Our Small Group option is ideal for members who need more support to maintain employment. The services and training activities provided are in community-based businesses or industries for groups of two to eight individuals with disabilities. Supervisors provide on-site training and support as work is accomplished.

We support our Small Group members through a unique blend of training activities, including:

  • Travel training.
  • Job development.
  • Job site analysis and training.
  • Adaptive equipment.
  • Group placements.
  • Benefit supports.

Individual Supported Employment

Our Individual option is ideal for members looking to secure and maintain competitive, customized or self-employment. Individual members receive supports that help them find paid opportunities in an integrated setting, including:

  • Training and systematic instruction.
  • Job coaching.
  • Benefit supports.
  • Job development.
  • Travel training.
  • Job site analysis.

There is no limit to what our Employment Services team will do to help our members reach their full potential. Contact us today to help your loved one find their dream job.

Services for Union County Youth, Dislocated Workers and Adults

Are you unemployed and in need of help with child care, transportation, or have other needs to assist you in getting to work? Contact CAU to ask about assistance with costs for:

  • Housing and food
  • Child care
  • Transportation and auto repairs
  • Utilities
  • Medical and prescription services
  • Uniforms or other appropriate work attire and grooming
  • Other assistance aimed to help eliminate barriers to employment

CAU will help you access employment opportunities with assistance from American Job Center in Union County. Contact CAU for eligibility information.

CAU Youth Comprehensive Career Services

For Union County In- and Out-of-School Youth

We offer comprehensive youth services and can assist low-income youth with:

 

  • Paid and unpaid work experiences, such as summer internships, job training, job shadowing and other opportunities.
  • Supportive Services to help remove barriers to finding a job, such as housing assistance and financial assistance for training and job-related expenses.
  • Labor market education and training (understanding local job opportunities and employment trends), plus career planning and career counseling.

To help you access employment opportunities with assistance from American Job Center! Contact CAU to ask about eligibility!

These initiatives are offered in partnership with the County of Union under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

youth forward

College Access Program for Union and Essex County

This program is open to individuals of Union and Essex counties who are between the ages of 16-65, live in households that fall below the 2020 federal poverty level and/or receive publicly assisted housing who would benefit from individualized coaching to earn a 2- or 4-year degree at an accredited college or university.

How we help:

Individualized college admission plans will contain career-focused goals and objectives concerning all aspects of the college admissions process. Each individualized plan will include:

  • An exploration and assessment leading to the selection of schools to apply to.
  • Details regarding the process of student financial aid portfolios that will apply to each institution.
  • A plan for the acquisition of appropriate assistive technology and other accommodations, as needed.
  • Opportunities for campus tours to assess logistics and the availability of career-focused pursuits.
college access program flyer

Contact us today to learn more.

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