MVLE offers supported employment and day support options for adults with disabilities. Whether you are transitioning from high school or any other area of life, MVLE’s Transition Team can guide you through the process of selecting the program that is right for you.

What MVLE Offers:
Listed below are some of the programs and services offered at MVLE.


 


Individual Supported Employment (ISE): Individual job placement with a community employer, including one-to-one on-the-job training; minimum wage or higher (paid by the employer); same benefits and routines as co-workers without disabilities and 20 or more hours of work per week. Some accommodations may be made.

Community Employment Services (CES): Individuals with disabilities work in small groups for a host company within an integrated employment setting; job coach provides on-the-job training and support; up to 20 hours of work per week; competitive or commensurate wages paid by the employer (host company) directly to the employees or through MVLE; similar routines as workers without disabilities. Some accommodations may be made.

Day Support/Center-Based Services: Services for individuals with varying levels of intensive support needs offered through a variety of personalized, creative, motivating and stimulating programmatic experiences with full-time assistance; training and support provided. Day support programs at MVLE include:

  • PSSG - Personal Support & Social Group. This program offers therapeutic activities including community exploration, sensory stimulation & integration, pre-vocational task training activities, music appreciation, art therapy, speech therapy, pet therapy, behavioral support, nursing support, and skills building activities including but not limited to life skills, communication skills, socialization skills, and employment skills. Individuals in this program also have
    the opportunity to participate in paid work including confidential shredding and potpourri production.
     
  • Community Access - Individuals in this program work in small group settings both at a host company and at one of MVLE’s centers. On average each group spends approximately 4 hours at their host job site and approximately 2 hours at their MVLE site earning commensurate and/or piece rate wages paid through MVLE. Individuals receive support and training from their Direct Support Professional (DSP). In addition to working in the community, individuals in this
    program have the opportunity to participate in many of the therapeutic activities offered by MVLE as well as receive behavioral and nursing support as needed.
     
  • Production - Individuals in this program work at one of MVLE’s centers and complete a variety of paid work tasks including potpourri production, mailroom work, packaging, and light assembly. They may also have the opportunity to participate in therapeutic activities such as art therapy, group exercise, and skills building activities including socialization skills, communication skills, life skills, and employment skills.

Situational Assessment: A crucial link to success is the situational assessment. MVLE provides opportunities for individuals to try a hands-on approach to day support and career exploration. These situational assessments give students the chance to experience a program or job, both in the Center and in the community, before making their choice. This is a vital component of the transition process because the experience enables the person and his or her support team to make informed decisions and choose the most appropriate match.

Person-Centered Plan: The state of Virginia defines Person-Centered planning as a process directed by the family or individual with long term care needs, intended to identify the strength, capacities, preferences, needs and desired outcomes of the individual. MVLE staff work with each individual we serve and their friends and family members to develop a Person-Centered Plan which reflects that person’s desired outcomes.

In short PCP focuses on the individual and their needs by putting them in charge of defining the direction for their lives, and NOT on the systems that may or may not be available to serve them. This ultimately leads to greater inclusion as valued members of both the community and society.

Person-Centered Planning is a way of thinking about people that respects their interests, hopes, dreams, and desires. It is a process of discussion and self-evaluation in which a person discovers how he or she wants to live, and the person’s friends help explore what needs to be done to reach these goals.

Interested?

If you are interested in exploring what MVLE has to offer, please contact Ashley Welch, MVLE’s Transition Specialist, to set up a tour of any of our facilities. We have three centers; two in Springfield and one in Chantilly.

Click here to download PDF version of brochure

Ashley Welch
Transition Specialist
7420 Fullerton Rd, Suite 110
Springfield, VA 22153
(703) 569-3900 Ext. 1143
AWelch@mvle.org