Way2Work

Way2Work

Partnering with Vermont businesses to create the next generation's economy.

Way2Work offers a unique continuum of employment supports for adults and youth with disabilities and/or other barriers to employment. These individualized supports range from pre-vocational and soft-skills development through skills and readiness assessments, job training, placement, to career development and advancement, to helping entrepreneurs with disabilities launch successful micro-businesses.

For more than 20 years, CCS has successfully helped people with intellectual disabilities or other “barriers” to employment find and maintain jobs, develop solid careers or even launch successful businesses in the competitive economy.

The mission of the Way2Work Program at CCS is to assist people with developmental disabilities find paid employment that is meaningful to them, valuable to their employer, and inclusive in the community.

Way2Work is more than a job placement program. We consider each individuals’ unique talents and career goals, assess and develop skills, and work together to connect with jobs and employers that match interests and complement abilities. And our state-of-the-art supports span the entire work cycle, from first job out of high school through retirement.

Our program has been named the top performing supported employment program in Vermont for each of the past eight (8) years, and earned a national Best Practices in Supported Employment award from APSE: The Network on Employment for its cutting edge approaches.

Services for Job Seekers

Way2Work helps individuals identify employment interests and potential employers, then apply and interview at appropriate job sites. We help new hires settle into the job, master job tasks, and connect with co-workers.

We also provide long term support to help maintain — and advance on — the job, secure a second job, or pursue a career path.

Throughout the process, we ask job seekers:

  • What would you really like to do?
  • Expand your skills?
  • Try something new?
  • Start your own business?

Statewide Options

CCS Promotes Self-Employment Options Statewide.

As a leader in helping entrepreneurs with disabilities launch self-employment ventures, Way2Work developed a hands-on manual to support entrepreneurs with developmental disabilities in launching small businesses.

The workbook, Achieving Self-Employment Knowledge (ASK), offers step-by-step guidance on the path to business ownership, We distributed the manual to Voc/Rehab and supported employment professionals throughout Vermont.

Employer Resources and Benefits

Way2Work provides supports workers, as well as budding entrepreneurs, need to achieve successful careers. At the same time, we help employers, and businesses partnering with Way2Work should expect to benefit from the experience.

We offer employers a number of resources and supports:

Workforce solutions
Employers find skilled workers and diversify their work force.

Working interviews
We offer employers and job seekers the opportunity to “try on” a job for a day before making the decision to hire.

Job Coaches
Both employer and new employee have the support and expertise of a Job Coach, a CCS employee who helps the new hire learn the job and master tasks. The Job Coach also helps the employer and their staff understand how to deliver accommodations, if any, as necessary.

Long Term Customer Service
Once tasks are defined and the new hire is fully trained, the Job Coach remains available to assist both employee and employer if long term supports are needed.

Are you a potential Way2Work employer with questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

What to participate or learn more?

Contact Michelle Paya, Coordinator, Way2Work Program (802) 655-0511 x116

Email Michelle

10 reasons to put Way2Work to work for you:

  • Access a pool of qualified candidates with one phone call.
  • Utilize our personalized, responsive service – at no charge to your
    business.
  • Increase your business’ profitability, productivity, and efficiency by
    delegating time-consuming tasks.
  • Save time and money with our applicant pre-screening.
  • On-the-job training is provided at no cost to you.
  • Cost effective staff solutions.
  • Develop a strong and loyal customer base as a disability-friendly
    business.
  • Get on-going support services for you and your employee.
  • Get assistance with tax credits.
  • As a group, employees with disabilities are highly dependable and boost
    morale in the workplace.

Recent Way2Work Employers

The following employers in our community are currently part of our program:

Agway
Andy Dandy’s
Asten Johnson
August First
Big Lots
Burlington International Airport
Cap’n Cork Discount Beverage
CHAMP
Champlain Valley Exposition
Charlebois
CIDER
EM Dog Walking
Endyne, Inc.
Essex Golf Family Fun Center
Firetech Sprinkler
FYE University Mall
Garden of Eatin’

GMTA
Goodwill
Green Mountain Harley Davidson
Hannaford
Longhorn Steakhouse
Lund Family Center
Milton Family Community Center
Montstream Studio
Mountain View Animal Hospital
New Beginnings Day Care
NY Pizza Oven
Once Upon a Child
Perriwinkles Fine Jewelry
Physician’s Computer
Price Chopper
Repair
ReSource

Ride-Away
Shaw’s Supermarket
Shelburne Supermarket
Sodexho at St. Michael’s College
Sports & Fitness Edge
Sweet Clover Market
ToysRUs
UVM Bookstore
Vermont Teddy Bear Company
Visiting Nurse Association
Walmart
Williston Liquidation Center
WIZN
Zachary’s Pizza