Community Employment

Building Skills, Confidence, and Opportunity for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Empowering Abilities Through Employment

Community Employment Service

WTC’s Community Employment Service - Work Services Program offers rehabilitation, job training, and paid work experience for individuals with developmental disabilities in Imperial County. The program focuses on building job skills, work habits, and appropriate workplace behavior to help participants transition into competitive employment. Services are provided in collaboration with the California Department of Rehabilitation and the San Diego Regional Center.

Clients receive hands-on training in janitorial services and landscaping, delivered by experienced vocational trainers. Training is personalized, ranging from one-on-one instruction to small group sessions.

In addition to technical skills, clients learn to work both independently and in teams, boosting their confidence and readiness to contribute to the community. The program achieved high satisfaction ratings, exceeding its goals with 90% client satisfaction and 94% stakeholder satisfaction.

Work Services Program

Assist persons with disabilities to choose, obtain and retain employment in the community, or in the individual's own business. This includes individual placement, competitive, supported, and transitional employment, mobile work crews, contracted work groups, and other community-integrated designs.

The Work Training Center serves these individuals by helping them prepare for competitive integrated employment with on-going support during employment, and post-employment/closures services.

Trainees and supported employees are paid competitive rates; participants are often able to afford better and more integrated living arrangements and other opportunities. Many have been able to significantly reduce their dependence on Social Security through earnings. However, they are able to maintain their eligibility for full benefits.

Woman spraying a sink, cleaning with a towel

Eligibility

Be 18 years of age or older.
Currently employed or underemployed.
Interested in receiving services that will help you get a job.
Clients must be willing and able to participate in the program.
No history of dangerous propensities within the last 12 months.
Documented diagnosed disability.
Able to pay for services or have someone pay for you.
Able to care for yourself including cleanliness and health.
Do not need extensive, ongoing medical intervention, be able to self-medicate.
Able to communicate verbally, in writing or sign language in English or Spanish.
Able to work various shifts and hours, including but not limited to weekends and holidays.
Must be able to pass background clearance through Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department Defense (DOD).

Qualifying disabilities under SDRC guidelines: Mental Retardation, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Epilepsy.
For more information, please contact the Department of Work Services at 760-352-6181

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Work Services Program?
The Work Services Program provides vocational training for people with disabilities within the areas of Janitorial and Grounds Care.
Who qualifies for the Work Services Program?
Any person with the following disabilities: Intellectual Disability, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Epilepsy and is a registered client with San Diego Regional Center.
What do I need to be eligible to work in the Work Services Program?
In order to apply for Work Services Program you must meet all the following requirement:

Be 18 years of age or older
Have a qualifying disability: Intellectual Disability, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy
Must pass a background check with Department of Justice and Department of Defense
Be able to work various shifts and hours (including weekends and holidays)
Be unemployed or underemployed
No history of any dangerous activity in the last 12 months.
Not require extensive, ongoing medical interventions and be able to self-medicate
Interested in receiving services that will help secure a job
Be willing to be in the program
Be able to pay for the services or have someone pay for you
Be able to care of personal needs
Be able to communicate verbally, written or via sign language.
Our hiring process depends on the availability of space. After your case is reviewed, you will undergo an intake process and placed on a waiting list if you qualify.
How much will I earn if the Work Services Program hires me?
We determine how much you are going to earn based on your Productivity. Meaning that if you perform your assigned tasks Quickly and with high quality, the more you may earn, Wages also vary from work site to work site.