Employment October 21

Employment Services

Finding a Job and Contributing to Your Community

Our team assists more than 800 teens and adults with disabilities as they build skills, and find and maintain competitive employment.

The Department of Labor reports that only 19.8% of people with disabilities are part of the U.S. workforce. Easterseals Midwest provides an individualized approach to developing the skills, confidence, and real-world experience necessary to find and keep a job. With a variety of programs and services to choose from, we prepare each individual for a successful workplace experience.

To learn more about our programs at Easterseals Midwest,
please contact us at 1-800-200-2119 or info@esmw.org.


We offer meaningful Employment Services which include volunteer opportunities, job-skills development, and teen employment programs. Employment Services are available in Kansas City and St. Louis (services vary by location).

Community Partnerships

Do you represent a company or an organization interested in hiring Easterseals' qualified program participants? Please visit our Ability Awareness and Inclusion Partnership page for more details.

Pre-Employment

This program provides one-on-one learning and group experiences to prepare individuals for community employment and/or volunteering in their community. Pre-Employment programs are available in Eastern Missouri and Northwest Missouri.

  • Pre-Vocational Training: Our staff members can assist with the following pre-vocational needs: resume-writing, developing interview skills, money-handling, and transportation access.

  • Project SEARCH: Over nine months, young adults will develop important work skills within a community business. They will learn through classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on internships. Project SEARCH supports and prepares each participant to become successfully employed.

  • Teen Transition Services: We offer special summer employment programs just for young adults. We provide high school students with disabilities with paid, work-based learning experiences in community businesses. Participants receive job coaching and employment skills training.

Supported Employment

Supported employment services help people with disabilities find and keep a job in community businesses. Our trained staff assist participants with career planning, discovery, and exploration, job development, job coaching, and retention services. Easterseals is committed to working with each individual to find a job that meets their expectations and fits their skills, abilities, and interests.

  • Job Placement Services: For adults who are ready to enter the workforce, we offer assistance and support with career planning, job development, job coaching, and retention services. We are committed to working with each individual to find a job that fits their skills, abilities, and interests.

  • On-the-Job Support Services: Once employed, individuals and their employers will continue to receive support, such as coaching, retention support, and disability and diversity-awareness training sessions.

  • LINK Program: LINK is our Employment + Autism Services program. Our team prepares individuals with autism for a success in the workplace.

Family Navigation Service

Individuals with disabilities, including autism, who are looking to enter the workforce may need support to be successful. For this time of transition, we offer our unique service Family Navigation. Our team of experienced members will create a tailored plan to meet the individual's needs and enable them to reach their maximum potential.

What regions offer Employment Services?

These service are available in the following regions:

Eastern Missouri
Northwest Missouri

Please note that not all programs are available in each area. Please contact your regional office for a complete list of services offered in your region. For a full list of our offices, please visit our Locations page.

To learn more about our programs at Easterseals Midwest,
please contact us at 1-800-200-2119 or info@esmw.org.

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