WAP

GOALS

The primary goal of Arc Mid-Cities Work Activity Program is to prepare each individual to become a valuable contributor in today’s work force. Participants are encouraged at a number of levels to acquire the necessary skill-training aimed at reinforcing proper work behavior, attitudes, good attendance, extended attention spans, improved speed, accuracy, and performance. Consumers are provided with a “paid work” setting in which they receive pay for work performed during this phase of training.

The Work Activity Program performs sub-contract work for industries, provides services, and manufactures goods for sale.

The Work Activity Program serves as a transition for those who can later advance to a less structured community environment such as supported employment and/or individual placement. The habilitation service of WAP is funded through the State of California Department of Developmental Services through local Regional Centers. The vocational rehabilitation service of WAP is funded through the State of California Department of Rehabilitation. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities accredits this program.

▪ Earnings (based on productivity)

Arc Mid-Cities is wheelchair accessible. Special work jigs are devised for consumers with physical disabilities.

EARNINGS

Earnings are based on industrial prevailing wage adjusted for productivity of the client. Arc Mid-Cities is certified by the State of California to pay sub-minimum wages to clients.

FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS

Arc Mid-Cities provides services to the consumers to help improve their functional limitations in the area of vocational skills. Functional limitations may include inadequate work skills, inappropriate social behaviors, inadequate hygiene skills, etc. We evaluate a consumers functional work capacity to assess his or her abilities to perform work activities.

WORK SKILLS

The Work Activity Program performs sub-contract work for industries and the community as a whole. Consumers are paid bi-weekly on a piece-rate basis for quality work produced. Jobs vary according to contract demands.

Work skills include:

Assembling small parts

Inspecting

Packaging

Labeling and applying stickers

Sorting/collating

Operating heat sealers

Operating L-sealer

Operating shrink tunnel

Operating skin-pack

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Prospective consumer(s) must be 18 years or older with developmental disabilities.

Consumer(s) must also:

Be independent in self-care skills

Be able to monitor their own medication(s)

Be able to attend to work tasks with a 12 to 1 consumer to staff ratio

Be able to follow instructions and role modeling provided by line supervisors

Agree to follow workshop rules, regulations and grievance procedures

Not exhibit self-abusive or aggressive behavior

Successfully complete a 90-day initial evaluation period

REFERRAL INTAKE PROCEDURE

In order to place a consumer on referral status at Arc Mid-Cities, the referring counselor must send to Arc Mid-Cities the initial referral checklist along with the required documents listed below:

Psychological evaluation completed within the last two years

Medical history and physical examination report completed within the last year, which includes restrictions and current medications

Social summary up to present

List of previous programs attended (if any) with addresses and phone numbers

Report of speech and hearing examination in the event impairment has been identified in past medical
records and current Individual Program Plan

Upon receipt of these items, a personal interview with the consumer and his/her parents/care provider will be conducted by an Arc Mid-Cities counselor to determine whether the consumer will be able to meet the 90-day initial evaluation criteria which includes but is not limited to:

Academic skills
Vocational skills
Work adjustment skills
Social adjustment skills
Independent living skills

If the consumer is accepted into the Work Activity Program, an Individual Habilitation Component (IHC) will be developed based upon the needs identified during the 90-day initial evaluation.

If the consumer is not accepted into the Work Activity Program, a final report will be provided to the consumer and to the referring counselor with recommendations for alternative services.

Prior to enrollment for the 90-day initial evaluation period, the following items are to be submitted to the Arc Mid-Cities Program Manager:

Verification of funding