For Young Adults


ANNISTON

A variety of programs that serve young adults are offered by Easterseals Opportunity Center:

  • Easterseals Opportunity Center offers basic computer classes for those interested in developing their skills.
  • Easterseals Opportunity Center offers Employability Development, including Supported Employment, Job Skills Training, Job Retention and Job Coaching, as well as training for specific job types, such as Janitorial Services.
  • Easterseals Opportunity Center  offers mobile assessment, where an evaluator visits area schools to assess academic achievement, aptitudes and interests in order to help clients set vocational goals and make training and rehabilitation services decisions.
  • Transportation Services are provided on a daily basis by the Easterseals Opportunity Center for clients with no means of travel that live in Anniston and surrounding areas. Regular attendance is essential for the clients to be successful in the programs at the Center. The Opportunity Center also provides meals on a daily basis to vocational rehabilitation clients.
  • At the Easterseals Opportunity Center, vocational evaluations are made through the use of both written and oral tests as well as actual work samples of various types found within the employment area. The evaluation process is based on an individual's needs and capabilities. It is designed to permit the client to acquire first-hand experience and knowledge of basic vocational expectations of specific occupations.
  • The Easterseals Opportunity Center offers a Supported Employment program for individuals with mild to severe disabilities, as well as Work Adjustment Training to help individuals increase their chance at gainful employment.
  • Workshop employment is available through Easterseals Opportunity Center for individuals who have completed a rehabilitation program.

BIRMINGHAM

Easterseals of the Birmingham Area provides programs for young adults that include:

  • Physical Therapy - Physical therapy (for ages 0-21) addresses a wide range of developmental gross motor delays (e.g. walking, climbing stairs), positioning, and mobility needs. Therapy may target improved motor coordination or increased range-of-motion for functional, motor skills. The therapist will also assist with referrals for orthotics/braces, wheelchair fittings, and other orthopedic concerns.
  • Occupational Therapy - Occupational therapy focuses on improving fine motor skills including grasp, handwriting, hand strength, bilateral hand strength, and coordination. Occupational Therapists also address sensory disorders which include difficulties with itchy clothing, loud noises, food aversions, attention and difficulty sitting still.
  • At Easterseals of the Birmingham Area, General Evaluation assists individuals in choosing an appropriate vocational goal. Clients learn about interests, skills, aptitudes, learning style, transferable job skills, as well as any accommodations that are needed.
  • Easterseals of the Birmingham Area prepares individuals for seeking employment through an intense Job Readiness Class which teaches participants resume preparation, interview skills and tips, and interpersonal skills.
  • Job Placement Services offer instruction to consumers in completing job applications, preparing resumes, interview skills and how to become a valuable employee. Our employment professionals are trained to match qualified individuals with employment opportunities in their local community.
  • Through Transitional Programs for High School Students, instructors come to the high school to teach special needs students Job Readiness, Smart Work Ethics and Driver's Education.
  • For clients in need of additional work skills, Easterseals of the Birmingham Area offers Technology Training Options that are tailored to meet each person's individual needs including keyboarding and Microsoft Office.
  • A Medical Assistance Grant offered through Easterseals of the Birmingham Area helps individuals and families pay for medical equipment and necessary home modifications for children and adults who have disabilities and are unable to provide for their own needs.

JACKSON'S GAP

Easterseals Camp ASCCA, a nationally recognized leader in therapeutic recreation, provides camping experiences for children and adults with disabilities.


MOBILE

Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast offers programs that serve young adults, including:

  • Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast provides young people with disabilities with recreational outlets to improve physical fitness, social skills, and connections with their community. For example, the facility offers a special needs cheer squad which performs for exhibitions and competitions at venues along the Gulf Coast.
  • The Official GED Test is administered weekly in the Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast PearsonVue Testing Center at the Gordon Smith Learning Center. The Official GED is also administered in Metro Jail and Strickland Youth Center through two PearsonVUE mobile test labs.
  • Youth Excelling for Success (YES) is offered by Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast. At-risk youth between the ages of 17 to 24 are supported and mentored in multiple areas. Academic upgrading/GED preparation, work readiness, job placement assistance, and post-secondary enrollment are targeted to help this underserved group get on the right track, and ultimately, have a successful start into adulthood.
  • Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast offers Mission-Based Employment through the facility for individuals who would have difficulty retaining employment in a typical work setting as well as a High School Transitional Youth Program through which high school Special Education students are referred for job training with Goodwill Easterseals Retail Stores. The facility also offers At-Risk Youth Programs to help at-risk youth pursue a career path.
  • Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast maintains Employment Partnerships with other entities and agencies to provide job readiness and employment services. Some Goodwill Easterseals Community Centers offer Employment Services to self-referred individuals seeking job search assistance.
  • Kaleidoscope is an Adult Day Program provided by Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast for younger adults who have recently transitioned out of high school and other non-senior adults.
  • Goodwill Easterseals of the Gulf Coast assists with four area support groups: Post-Polio, Stroke, Autism and Down Syndrome; providing meeting space, coordination of speakers and special events and assistance with newsletter publications and distribution.

MONTGOMERY

Easterseals Central Alabama offers a variety of programs that serve young adults:

  • The ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Diagnostic Clinic located at Easterseals Central Alabama features a team of specialists including a speech pathologist and a child psychologist.
  • The Speech Therapy Department at Easterseals Central Alabama serves all ages with communication challenges.
  • The Care Project at Easterseals Central Alabama helps people acquire no-cost medical equipment that has been refurbished, repaired and sanitized.
  • Vocational Evaluation is also an important part of many of the Easterseals Central Alabama programs. The evaluation department uses interviews and a variety of standardized vocational tests to assess vocational and academic skills, aptitudes and interests.
  • The Learning Disabilities Program helps ease transition from high school to college for students with learning disabilities.
  • Project Search Montgomery provides high school students with the opportunity to explore careers and develop transferable job skills, while allowing the host placement site, Baptist Health, a chance to assess potential employees.
  • Easterseals Central Alabama has an Employment Department and works with job-ready individuals to place them into jobs in the community. Our full-time job development specialists help individuals find employment and assist employers in meeting manpower needs.
  • Easterseals Central Alabama offers a five-week Nurse Aide Training Program designed to provide quality education for entry into the healthcare field. The curriculum consists of classroom and practical instruction in the areas of health, nutrition, safety, personal care, developmental and emotional needs. Ninety-three percent of graduates obtain employment in the healthcare field, and many are offered jobs prior to completing the class.

Dogs on Call (DOC) trains and certifies Therapy Dog Teams (teams must live within 75 miles of Montgomery and we visit within the river region) to provide comfort to those living with disabilities, suffering trauma or stress, at-risk, or living in nursing and assisted living communities, hospitals, rehabilitation, and youth detention centers. Specialized DOC Teams work with children with autism and other disabilities, and special needs families in goal-oriented therapy as well as therapy and service dog placements. DOC also partners with public and alternative schools for in-school curriculums designed to teach compassion and responsibility, improve focus and stimulate learning.


MUSCLE SHOALS

Easterseals Northwest Alabama provides programs for young adults that include:

  • Easterseals Northwest Alabama's Speech Therapy provides life-changing treatment, support and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication. The facility employs a professional licensed Speech Therapist that works closely with parents, teachers, physicians, hearing specialist, occupational therapist and physical therapist to ensure the best possible outcomes. Speech and Language therapy is a vital service that improves language and communication skills and aids in personal development.

  • Easterseals Northwest Alabama provides Occupational Therapy Services for children and adults. Common occupational therapy interventions include helping students with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations and helping people recovering from injury to regain skills. Occupational Therapy services typically include: An individualized evaluation, during which the client/family and occupational therapist determine the person's goals; customized intervention to improve the person's ability to perform daily activities and reach their goals; an outcomes evaluation to ensure that the goals are being met and/or make changes to the intervention plan. Occupational Therapy services may include recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use, along with guidance and education for family members and caregivers.

  • Easterseals Northwest Alabama's Adults Vocational Program serves individuals with disabilities seeking employment. The disability does not matter as long as the individual is capable of obtaining and maintaining employment in the workforce. We serve all ages, from high school to senior citizen. Easterseals Northwest Alabama provides training, resources and individual assistance to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunity to succeed as a person without a disability.

  • Easterseals Northwest Alabama provides Job Readiness training which includes resume writing, application assistance, interview skills, time management, job exploration and job placement assistance. Our goal is that each individual that completes our Vocational Services Program is ready for employment in their area of interest.

  • Easterseals Northwest Alabama has a full-service Industrial Workshop that does wood-cutting projects, assembly projects, packaging and sorting projects and even metal and welding projects.

OPELIKA

A variety of Vocational Evaluation Services are provided by Easterseals Achievement Center, including School Evaluation, Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation, Extended In-House & Community Based Evaluation, Workkeys and Mobile Evaluation.

The Easterseals Achievement Center also offers a variety of Vocational Services, including Placement, Employability Development and Vocational Evaluation programs. Employability Development programs range from resume preparation and interviewing skills to preparation for specific types of jobs.

The Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Training Class at the Easterseals Achievement Center prepares students to achieve the level of health/science knowledge, patient care skills, and abilities that are needed and required to provide basic care to patients / residents in long term care facilities. The class consists of four weeks of classroom instruction and one week of clinical experience. The class will prepare the student to pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Examination in order to receive Certified Nursing Assistant status.


SELMA

Vocational Evaluation Services provided by Easterseals West Central Alabama are designed to be a comprehensive assessment of a person's vocational aptitudes. The type of tests will depend on the individual and their needs and preferences. Assessments for high school students are typically done in small groups, and are coordinated with school system personnel to limit conflict with scheduled classes. Other individuals may be tested at locations in their community (e.g., Career Center or DHR offices in the communities served), or at the Center in Selma.


TUSCALOOSA

Easterseals West Alabama (ESWA) offers the following programs that serve young adults:

  • Workforce Development programs include Vocational Evaluations that help individuals determine the type of job they could do today, or a career path they may work toward with additional training. Job Development for persons with disabilities helps individuals find employment in their community. Supported Employment provides on-site job coaches for the more severely disabled to ensure success on the job. A Computer Lab provides training in general computer knowledge including MS Software Applications.
  • The Easterseals West Alabama Transportation Department provides work-related transportation for a six-month period to income eligible individuals throughout a 20-mile radius in Tuscaloosa County. Four vans run from 4 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday-Friday. The program serves around 125 businesses per year.
  • Easterseals West Alabama offers a Future Promise of Youth program to provide educational and occupational services to eligible youth who have dropped out of school.
  • Parents as Teachers Program (PAT) offered through Easterseals West Alabama provides information, support, and encouragement to parents in need.
  • The Nurse-Family Partnership Program at Easterseals West Alabama is a maternal and early childhood health program that introduces vulnerable firsttime parents to caring professionals so they can receive support.
  • The Easterseals West Alabama Social Security Representative Payment Program provides assistance to vulnerable members of our community: the young, the elderly, and the disabled who are unable to manage their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits. ESWA representative payees receive and handle all aspects of the beneficiary's Social Security funds and advocate on their behalf.
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