“When you are asked if you can do a job, tell ’em, ‘Certainly I can!’ Then get busy and find out how to do it.” – Theodore Roosevelt
The world shines brighter when people with developmental disabilities achieve their full potential. For many, that includes finding meaningful work in their community.
Our Vocational Service program provides support and guidance for individuals with developmental disabilities, or an acquired brain disorder. Our team of vocational coordinators support individuals throughout their employment journey. We help individuals develop job seeking skills and collaborate on career goals for volunteer-, paid- or self-employment opportunties.
Vocational coordinators and direct support professionals provide assistance and guidance throughout an individual’s employment journey. Utilizing person-centered planning, we incorporate an individual’s interests and goals to assist them in finding a place of employment where they can thrive, be successful and happy at their place of employment.
Staff receive training under the nationally recognized Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) program and work hand-in-hand with the New Hampshire Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR New Hampshire).
Our team of vocational coordinators work with individuals of all ages who want to find meaningful work and volunteer roles; including young adults transitioning from a secondary high school setting to adult services. We collaborate with a variety of partners, including the New Hampshire Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (VRNH), local school district staff, and other programs such as NH Works.
Above all, we value the individuals who participate in our Vocational Services program and strive to provide the individualized support and guidance needed in a person’s employment journey, whether they work in hospitality, retail, food service, manufacturing or one of the many other business and organizations or self employment opportunities that match an individual’s interests and goals.
Services Provided
- Assistance with job applications, resumes, interview readiness and other soft skills.
- Job shadowing, short-term job tryouts, business tours, informal meetings with area business leaders, all designed to help an individual find “the right match.”
- Assistance in acquiring adaptive equipment.
- Follow-up communication with employers to aid in job retention.
- An individualized support plan, taking into account the needs of both employee and employer.
- Aid/assistance in self-employment; marketing surveys, business-development and funding research.
Positive Outcomes
Working and volunteering in the community offers individuals the opportunity for growth and development. Vocational Services offer a win-win-win: for individuals; businesses; co-workers and community members. Most importantly, individuals who participate achieve
- A sense of pride, happiness and self-worth.
- Greater independence.
- Opportunities to explore personal interests in an employment/volunteer setting.
- Access to professional networking and the community.
- Structure for a healthy social life, improving physical and mental well-being.
Inclusive Employers
| Attitash Mountain Resort | Harrison House, Animal Rescue | Ossipee Concerned Citizens |
| Beech River Mill | League of NH Craftsman, North | Ossipee Mountain Land Co. |
| Camp Cody | Harvest Market | Purity Spring Resorts/Traditions |
| Chequers Villa | Home Goods | Shaws Supermarkets, Littleton |
| Conway Humane Society | Home Depot, Littleton* | Spider Web Gardens |
| Conway Public Library | Horsefeathers Restaurant | StoryLand |
| David Sands/Tramway | J.J.’s Breakfast and Lunch | Subway, Gorham |
| Dunkin Donuts | Kelly’s Yum Yum Shop | The Gibson School |
| Earl Family Farm | Knotty Pine Grill and Tavern | The Paul School |
| Flatbread Company | Lakes Region Humane Society | Tossed and Found Gallery/NHS |
| Fryeburg Health Care Center | Little Treasures Learning Center | Visiting Nurse, Home Care & Hospice, CC |
| Glass Graphics | McGrath’s Tavern | Wakefield Diner |
| Great Waters Music Festival | Mountain Valley Mall Cinema 7 | White Mountain Hotel |
| Hannaford Bros. Co., LLC | Omni Resorts Mount Washington |
the first step
We are here to help
We invite you to connect with our intake and eligibility coordinator who can answer your questions, provide an overview of programs and services and guide you through the eligibility process.
Learn more/Apply for Developmental Disability Services