VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS:

EDS as a Service Provider

The main focus of the Activity Center and the Vocational Centre is on enhancing the self-esteem of clients and their communication and socialization skills. Another goal of these programs is to enhance the vocational skills of clients by instilling basic concepts of work and responsibility. The aim here is to assist clients in moving towards independence and self-sufficiency by fostering those skills and experiences, which may eventually assist clients in obtaining and maintaining paid employment in the community. To this end, EDS has put in place schedules, routines, and practices which reflect a work-like environment. The crucial point to remember is that EDS is a service provider for clients in the Activity Center and the Vocational Centre and not an employer and that the clients involved in these areas are not involved in paid employment.

Creating a work-like environment helps foster skills and assist clients in moving toward the greatest independence possible, which for some may eventually lead to full or part-time employment in the community. There are set times for the start of the day, coffee breaks, lunch time, and the end of the day. Clients use a time clock to start and end the day. Repeated tardiness is documented as in a normal workplace. Of course, no client is fired or removed from EDS as a result, but certain sanctions may be put in place to deal with repeated tardiness. Instilling a notion of responsibility is the goal here. Clients do receive an allowance, which most clients view as a pay cheque. Clients receive their allowance cheques at the same time EDS employees receive their cheques. This cheque reflects both attendance and good behaviour. This allowance does more than provide spending money, it enhances money management skills, including skills such as banking and budgeting. In the end, it is hoped that basic notions of work and responsibility are fostered. The bottom line remains that EDS is a service provider for clients in the Activity Center and the Vocational Centre and not an employer.

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EDS as an Employer

EDS has become involved in a number of ventures, which provide revenues for EDS that can be used for the provision of services. These ventures have also created a number of job opportunities for EDS clients. For each of these ventures, EDS has designated a certain number of positions for our clients. Clients with sufficient skills and abilities are hired for these positions and are paid competitive salaries and benefits. The following are examples of such ventures: Sarcan, Shand Greenhouse, and contract work for other agencies or companies.

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Activity Center: Objectives/Services

The EDS Activity Center is a facility designed for individuals who have limited motor and sensory development. Programming stresses daily living skills, communication, computer programs, healthy living and socialization, rather than vocational skills. However, some activities may be of a vocational nature. There is a pre-employment aspect to the activity center as it is a first introduction to a structured work environment. We work on computer skills, time management, and hygiene. Productive aspects are secondary to the primary goal of developing sufficient social competence to maximize an individual’s potential in the community.

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Vocational Centre : Objectives/Services

The Vocational Centre involves the manufacture and sale of goods and services to the public. Here individuals are provided training in a more production oriented setting and they become more familiar with the responsibilities of a job. We provide the basic concepts of work and responsibility, with the plan that these skills may aid in the transition towards greater independence. The aim is to provide work experience which may be transferable to other work settings.

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Supported Employment Services

Supported Employment services provide employment for individuals, off site from EDS facilities, but with adequate support to enable clients to handle the job and the independence it brings. With supports we believe that our clients are able to handle the challenges and benefits of paid employment. Clients in this program may earn minimum wage or more.

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RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS

Group Homes: Objectives/Services

Group Homes are family-style homes which provide care, supervision, and some training for adults with intellectual disabilities. The Group Homes provide up to 24 hour staffing. The program focuses on attitudes, respect relationships, hygiene, nutrition and cooking programs. The program also focuses on empowering participants to participate more fully in community life i.e. churches, restaurants, and the use of leisure facilitites.

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Supportive Apartment Program: Objectives/Services

The Supportive Apartment Program provides individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to become more integrated members of society, and at the same time promotes positive community attitudes regarding the person’s capability and right to live independently. Two Staff provide support to the clients in this program. The program shall be administered in such a way as to enhance the self-dignity and self-sufficiency of the client.

It is intended that the Supportive Apartment Program be an ongoing program, providing long term support of the client, unless contact is terminated by the client, or the agency, due to non-co-operation of the client, or the client moves on to the more independent program: S.I.L.P.

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Supportive Independent Living Program: Objectives/Services

The Supportive Independent Living Program is the final program on the continuum of supported residential programs. SILP provides individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to become more integrated members of society, and at the same time promotes positive community attitudes regarding the person’s capability and right to live independently. SILP provides staff support to clients who live in and maintain their own apartments. The program shall be administered in such a way as to enhance the self-dignity and self-sufficiency of the client. The program focuses on encouraging our clients to participate more fully in community life i.e. churches, restaurants, and the use of leisure facilities. The program focuses on nutrition, cooking programs, budgeting, attitudes, relationships and hygiene depending on the needs of the individual.

It is intended that the Supportive Independent Living Program be an ongoing program, providing long term support of the client, unless contact is terminated by the client himself, or the agency, due to non-co-operation of the client.

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