Employment Services for Adults with Disabilities

Easterseals Redwood is committed to creating an inclusive community, where everyone can live, learn, work, and play to the fullest of their abilities. We have a wide range of programs and services that meet you where you are and empower you to grow and develop and reach your full potential. We offer:

A path toward community employment

Career preparation opportunities

Support for Ohio farmers who have experienced a disabling injury

The individuals we serve set goals and plans for personal and professional development. They work with Workforce Development Professionals and Job Coaches to meet their goals. They are provided a variety of opportunities to learn and grow in the community alongside peers, neighbors, and prospective employers. They are exposed to new experiences and relationships so that they keep setting new goals and dreaming big.

Comprehensive support from the beginning of the job search through early employment. Participants set employment goals and work with Easterseals Redwood to identify the best plan to reach them. Supports include resume assistance, interview preparation, training opportunities, networking, and job coaching during the first few months of employment to ensure success.​

• Community Based Assessment
• Enclaves
• Work & Grow
• Job Placement​
• Job Coaching​
• Follow Along
• AgrAbility
• Hospitality

Community Based Assessment offers individuals the opportunity to explore job opportunities of interest to them. We work with you to find the right work place that will allow you to try out a job prior to applying for a position. We will help you identify if the job is a good fit for you and explore options as you make the decision to start your career.

Community Based Assessment are individually created through funding from Vocational Rehabilitation.

On-site work crews, also known as enclaves, are one of the ways in which Easterseals Redwood helps match individuals with jobs in the community. An enclave is a group of four to 10 individuals who work as a team at an area business. Training, supervision, and support are provided by an Easterseals Redwood staff member. Our work crews are integrated into the workforce culture of the community worksite.

Everyone who wants to work should have the opportunity to work. Easterseals Redwood’s Work & Grow program provides job coaching and development for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to gain additional work skills before starting their job search.

We partner with businesses and nonprofits to provide job preparation and job readiness training in community settings. Participants enjoy a mix of paid work experiences, volunteer activities, social recreation, and development of independent living skills.

Easterseals Redwood Work & Grow is an ideal environment for:

• Young adults who have exited school-based services and want to gain additional work skills and career development before starting a job search
• Older adults who are interested in building skills for community employment, especially those who only have prior experience in sheltered workshop settings

Our Work & Grow job sites have a low participant-to-staff ratio to ensure each participant receives individualized attention focused on their personal growth and goals. Work ranges from 2 to 5 days a week. Work sites locations:

• Cincinnati Museum Center
• Cincinnati Zoo
• College Hill
• Norwood
• Hamilton

When you’re ready to advance into community employment, our staff can help with training, resumes, and placement.

Job Placement is offered to adults with disabilities through funding from Vocational Rehabilitation. Job Placement is just that – helping you find the right placement in a job that matches your skills, talents and personal preferences. You will work with a Job Developer to create an individualized plan to secure the job that will launch you on a career of success!

Job Coaching is offered for individuals with disabilities once they secure a job in the community. They will be assigned a Job Coach who will assist in navigating all aspects of managing your new job – like transportation, uniforms, training and on-going success. A Job Coach ensures the individual understands the expectations of the job, offers training to meet the expectations and assists in your ability to keep the job! Job Coaching is key to retaining employment.

Follow Along is a service offered to individuals who have secured a job in the community and they no longer have a Job Coach. Follow Along services check on you at a minimum of one per month. They also check in with your employer/supervisor to assist in making sure you are meeting the expectations of the job and help if your job changes. Follow Along is a great service to make sure you keep your job and advance to new opportunities!

Ohio AgrAbility is a program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that promotes independence for people in agriculture who want to continue to farm after experiencing a disabling condition. The Ohio State University, Easterseals Redwood, and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities have partnered to bring this program to Ohio farmers.

Ohio AgrAbility’s goal is to provide education, resources, and technical assistance to those individuals and their families so they may continue to be successful in agriculture. Learn more.

Hospitality is an In Demand job in the Tri-State region due to tourism, sports venues, concerts, and entertainment sites in our region.

Easterseals Redwood offers credentials in Hospitality to prepare you for employment opportunities in food service, catering, lodging, facilities maintenance and customer service.

Easterseals Redwood Hospitality programs offer industry credentials through AHLEI and SERVSAFE.

Credentials available:

• ServSafe – Food Hander
• Serve Safe – ServSafe Food Manager
• ServSafe – Alcohol
• ServSafe – Allergens
• ServSafe – Workplace
• AHLEI – Guest Service Gold
• AHLEI – Certified Guest Service Professional
• AHLEI- Breakfast Attendant
• AHLEI – Front Desk representative
• AHLEI – Guestroom Attendant
• AHLEI – Kitchen Cook
• AHLEI – Maintenance Employee
• AHLEI – Restaurant Server

Easterseals Redwood Hospitality Certifications are offered through a combination of online learning, classroom training and hands-on-work experience at places like Great Wolf Lodge.