Paraquad’s Job Training Programs for Teens & Adults with Disabilities
A stable job offers countless social and financial perks. That’s why Paraquad offers job training programs for teens and adults with disabilities — we hope to help each person find a job to be excited about and live life on your terms.
As a resource for families and individuals, we broke down our primary employment services. Read on to discover the right supported employment program for you.
The Bloom Culinary Training Program
The Bloom Culinary Training Program is an option for adults with disabilities interested in a career in hospitality. We welcome all applicants who are 18 or older and have a disability. The classes are kept small to maintain consistent hands-on instruction — luckily, we have space for up to 10 participants each semester.
Participants learn valuable culinary skills, such as sanitation, food safety and knife skills as well as cooking and baking techniques. Like many of our job training programs for teens and adults with disabilities, Paraquad’s certified employment team supports graduates to ensure long-term success — including possible job opportunities.
Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP)
For people with disabilities aged 16 to 21, Paraquad offers the Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP). Participants are connected with opportunities to try new jobs and earn a paycheck over eight weeks. Our team assists them through job coaching and skilled instruction.
We receive the majority of our referrals through local public school systems. The goal is to guide high schoolers in finding their passion in life and prepare them for their eventual job.
Supported Employment
Paraquad often connects adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities to our Supported Employment Program. This job training program for adults with disabilities is designed to assist individuals with exploring career paths and ultimately finding a job for themselves.
The Supported Employment Program is individualized — some receive job coaching once a month while others may need to meet several hours a week. We currently focus on three main components:
Individualized career discovery and exploration
Job development and placement
Job coaching and job retention
All participants must be first referred by a Missouri Department of Vocational Rehabilitation counselor or have a Ticket to Work assigned to Paraquad to receive our employment services.
Ticket to Work
Ticket to Work is a state-wide Social Security program designed to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities — allowing them to keep their health care coverage while earning an income.
Paraquad is an Employment Network (EN), meaning we provide free supported employment program services to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries. We hope that by doing so, we connect beneficiaries with the opportunities and support systems they need to thrive.
Through our job training programs for adults with disabilities, we facilitate employment, increase self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on Social Security and encourage financial independence. We serve all who meet program requirements — whether starting their first job through our Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funded services or needing long-term support through their career path.
The Show Me Employment Project
The Show Me Employment Project — Paraquad’s Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) project — supports Social Security disability beneficiaries who are working or prepared to work. This supported employment program guides individuals toward successful and profitable transitions in the workforce.
WIPA services provide the tools and support participants need to make informed decisions about employment and increase financial independence to build their best lives. Participants work with a certified Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC), who explains how working may affect disability benefits. Topics covered may include benefits information, usage of Social Security work incentives, analysis of healthcare coverage options and more.
Work Confidently with Paraquad
Through job training programs for teens and adults with disabilities, we aim to increase community integration and independence any way we can. We’re proud to say we’ve seen numerous success stories through our employment programs and plan to see many more.
Currently, Paraquad serves 200 participants annually across six supported employment programs. For more information on our education and employment programs, contact our employment director, Candice Zottarelle, at czottarelle@paraquad.org or (314) 289-4269.
