Developmental Disabilities | Mental Health | Traumatic Brain Injury | Vocational Services | Early Intervention Program | VOICE:  Sexual Assault Services | McHenry County PADS:  Public Action to Deliver Shelter

Pioneer offers a wide range of training and vocational services to persons with developmental and mental disabilities.  These services help clients with disabilities find community employment, and/or gain greater independence and quality of life through participation in community and facility based social, recreational, and vocational activities.  Our programs, based on individual client’s needs, range from coaching and support to more intensive levels of support. 

Developmental Training 
This program assists people who have severe and multiple disabilities in developing basic life skills.  Classroom instruction, community integration experiences, and work and leisure opportunities assist in the development of participants’ skills.  The Developmental Training program also incorporates the use of a state of the art Assistive Technology Computer Lab and a deluxe sensory “Snoezelen Room” environment into the curriculum.
           
Bridges
The Bridges program is designed to provide services to individuals in the Developmental Training program that may be ready to transition into the vocational program.  Conversely, the program also serves individuals from the vocational program that may need more structure or training.  Individuals work on both vocational skills and life skills. 

Vocational Evaluation 
In addition to determining work interests and aptitudes, Vocational Evaluation Services provides a thorough assessment of job skills and job readiness for employment planning for persons with disabilities.  Services can assist in identifying employment accommodations as well.  Employment recommendations are identified to assist persons in their employment planning.  Vocational Evaluation is particularly suited to persons who have been out of the work force because of a disability or for transitioning students just preparing to enter the work force. 
           
Pioneer Industries   
Utilizing subcontract work, individuals with disabilities are offered hands on vocational training, rehabilitation counseling, and job training skills.  Work experiences both within and outside of the organization help participants develop work skills for competitive employment in the community or long term vocational training. 
           
Employee Development Services (EDS) 
EDS provides assessment of employability and develops employment skills to assist individuals to have access to, and participate fully in, their communities.  This program develops skilled employees through a diversified time-limited and accessible transitional training program for individuals who dream to develop or re-establish skills, attitudes, personal characteristics, interpersonal skills, work behaviors, and functional capacities to achieve positive employment outcomes.  Students experience volunteer work, job exploration, skills training, computer training, and interviewing.  Graduates enter the work force with a working portfolio, self-inventory profile, and a recorded mock interview.    Services are provided to adolescents and adults with a developmental disability.  EDS is targeted to both students who are transitioning from special education to adult services and to adults who need to develop skills for independent living and competitive employment.  EDS was recognized by the Illinois Association for Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) as one of “the Best of the Best” programs in the State in 2005.
 
Community Employment Services 
The Community Employment Services program assists clients in getting and keeping jobs in the community.  Clients’ preferences and skills are reviewed prior to the job search and once a job is found, staff assist clients in learning the job requirements.  We employ a range of evaluative measures to carefully assess the needs of each person, and pinpoint the most important areas of intervention.  Tailored to each client’s needs, our service ranges from job retention to 100% job coaching support.  Classroom coaching and skills training prepare individual for entry into the Community Employment Services program, or for referral to other job training programs.

PSR Vocational Center
PSR Vocational Center (PSRVC) is an in-house transitional work program where mental health consumers are taught new work skills while learning to manage symptoms in a structured environment.  We assist in providing services through consumer-driven businesses.  Vocational education groups meet to practice interviewing skills, resume writing, filling out applications, and job retention skills.  Our vocational services serve as a bridge to close the gap between current abilities and community employable skills.

Snack Shack
The Snack Shack is a consumer run business that opened in October 2004 and employs persons with disabilities.  A great team effort went into getting the Snack Shack started with consumers and staff working side by side.  The Snack Shack is certified as a level 3 food service establishment, so the products sold are prepackaged and may be purchased by anyone visiting Pioneer.  This has been an excellent opportunity for those employed by the Snack Shack to develop work skills and habits as well as building self-esteem and character.

The Snack Shack was recognized by the Illinois Association for Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) as the “Best of the Best” program in the State in 2005.

Janitorial Skills Training
The Janitorial Skills Training program gives individuals training in janitorial type positions they can use in community employment.  The training is done on site at Pioneer Center and is completed in a twelve to fourteen week period.  The individual has a trainer throughout this period to develop strong work skills and habits, build self-esteem, become independent, and prepare for future employment in the community.  In addition, Pioneer has contracts with several local businesses for their cleaning services.  Pioneer employs graduates of the Janitorial Skills Training program for each cleaning crew.

TBI Employment Services