Employment Services

Finding a Job and Contributing to Your Community

Our team assists more than 1,000 teens and adults with disabilities as they build skills and find and maintain competitive employment.

The Department of Labor reports that only 33.6% of people with disabilities are part of the U.S. workforce, compared to 76% of people without disabilities. 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 to choose from, we prepare each individual for a successful workplace experience.

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

These programs provide one-on-one learning and group experiences to build job-readiness skills for people with disabilities to find and succeed in community-based, competitive employment through volunteerism and internships.

  • Pre-Vocational Training: We provide individualized assistance in learning job tasks and the social skills needed to succeed in the workplace.

  • Project SEARCH/Employment-Based Transition Training: These programs serve fifth-year high school seniors who stay on to participate in these nine-month courses. Students will develop important work skills within a community business. They will learn through classroom instruction and hands-on internships. These programs also support students in career exploration and obtaining successful employment.

  • Summer Work Experience: We provide high school students with disabilities paid, work-based learning experiences in community businesses. Participants receive job coaching and employment skill training to set them up to succeed in their workplace.

Supported Employment

Supported employment services help people with disabilities find and keep a job in community businesses. We 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.

  • Career Training, Exploration, and Discovery: This program provides opportunities for individuals to discover their skills, abilities, and areas of interest, allowing them to explore different job types and possibilities.

  • Job Development Services: When individuals are ready to enter the workforce, we offer assistance and support in the job search, application, and interview process. We are committed to working with each individual to find a job that fits their needs.

  • 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.

  • Job Coaching and Retention: Once employed, individuals and their employers will continue to receive support, such as coaching, accommodation assistance, retention support, and disability and diversity training.
  • LINK: LINK is our Employment + Autism Services Program. Through a small group cohort, LINK teaches social skills for the workplace to individuals with autism.

Employment Skills

For adults who are not yet ready for employment, we provide weekday training and support to help develop independence, social skills, and self-advocacy with the purpose of moving program participants to community employment or volunteerism.

What regions offer Employment Services?

These services 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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