ESR services provide choices for consumers and provide value to the communities we serve
Community Jobs Team | Work Crews
Community program site | Partners for Success | Minnesota Workforce Center | Chore Services
ESR provides adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs a variety of services in both independent and community-based settings. Our programs and services provide options for individuals to find meaningful employment that best matches their interests and abilities, which helps them attain their employment goals, achieve their personal best and realize increased independence.
Community Jobs Team
Consumers who choose to work in naturally supported employment have a team of experienced ESR job developers and coaches working with them to develop a position that fits their interests and abilities. Once a consumer indicates where he or she would like to work, the ESR team establishes a partnership with local businesses to develop jobs that are a match to the consumer's skills and abilities.
As the consumer begins their new job, ESR coaches work side by side with them to provide training and support. The coaches also serve as a resource to the employer and other staff to ensure the consumer does well and that the match is mutually satisfying to both employer and new employee.
As consumers become more comfortable in their roles and are able to work more independently, coaches move to the background. This allows the relationships between the consumer and their coworkers to develop naturally. Regular, ongoing visits by the job coach ensure that consumers continue to do well in their employment settings.
Work Crews
ESR consumers may choose to become part of a crew that works in area businesses or community settings.
Small groups of consumers work together under the close superivision of an experienced ESR job coach, who serves as the team leader. These crews work in the community at area businesses completing a wide variety of tasks. For instance, in one area hotel, crews clean the rooms. At a local senior center, a work crew helps in the kitchen with food preparation, dishes and more. ESR crews also help an area business with packaging; local cities with parks maintenance and more.
Community program sites
ESR consumers also have the option of working on a variety of contract work in one of the agency's three community program sites. Crews in Forest Lake, Cottage Grove and Stillwater take on assembly work, collating, labeling and so on on behalf of area businesses. Consumers gain basic work skills, experience a work routine similar to what they may find in a community setting, and develop friendships with other consumers and ESR staff.
Partners for Success
In an ongoing relationship with Washington County, ESR partners with area business to identify jobs for participants of the Minnesota Family Investment Program.
This program, known as Partners for Success, helps people move from dependence on the Minnesota Family Investment Program to self-reliance through employment.
ESR works with identified businesses to develop action plans, identify needed resources in critical areas like child care or transportation, and to look at related training needs. ESR then provides support throughout the first several months on the job in order to address any barriers that may affect the ability of the new employee to remain employed.
Chore Services
A grant from the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging brings ESR consumers and Washington County seniors together to keep seniors from being overwhelmed with household chores. Learn more about Chore Services.
