People’s Arc Vocational Services aims to empower people with diverse abilities by providing comprehensive vocational training and support. Our goal is to facilitate person centered meaningful employment training and opportunities that enhance personal growth and foster independence.

Through tailored programs, collaboration with community partners, and a focus on skills development, People’s Arc strives to create avenues for success that enable people to thrive in the workforce. By promoting inclusivity and accessibility, People’s Arc Vocational Services is dedicated to helping each person to fulfill their vocational goals. Located in Bohemia, People’s Arc offers a variety of vocational programs to fit every person’s vocational needs including: 

Pathways to Employment 

Pathways to Employment is a yearlong program that plays a crucial role in helping people transition into the workforce by providing a structured approach assisting people navigate the journey toward competitive employment. By exploring various career paths and options, people are given the opportunity to engage in various activities designed to enhance their job-related skills. This may include vocational training, soft skills training (such as communication and teamwork), and job-specific skills relevant to the desired career path.  Pathways is a part time/flexible program that gives people the opportunity to participate in other activities while exploring the world of work. 

Qualifications to Participate: 

• Must be 18 years or older and diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability 

• Have a desire to work and maintain a job 

Community Based Pre-Vocational Program (CBPV) 

CBPV is designed to provide people the opportunity to develop essential skills to prepare for future employment. This program focuses on enhancing people’s readiness for the workforce through hands-on experience and skill-building activities in community settings.  CBPV serves as a stepping-stone for people to transition from day hab into more formal vocational training to lead to employment by engaging in unpaid work or internships within the community. These experiences provide valuable insights into different job roles for people to choose to pursue while helping them build their resumes. 

Qualifications to Participate: 

• Must be 18 years or older and diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability 

• Have the ability to participate in community activities at least four hours a day 

• Have a desire to work and maintain a job 

Project SEARCH 

Project SEARCH is a nationwide innovative program aimed at providing young adults with the skills and support needed to secure competitive employment. This unique, business-led initiative partners with local employers to create an immersive nine-month internship experience that allow people to gain hands-on work experience in a real-world setting.   Project SEARCH not only empowers people to achieve their professional goals through a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training, Project SEARCH also equips people with essential workplace skills, enhances their confidence, and fosters independence. People in the program work closely with job coaches and mentors from the partnering business who guide them through the internship process, helping them learn valuable skills, navigate workplace dynamics, and prepare for meaningful employment. 

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 30 and diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability 

• Have the desire and ability to work independently 

• Have the ability to participate in community activities at least six hours a day/five days a week 

• Have their own means of transportation to and from the internship location and be willing and able to be travel trained to use public transportation, SCAT or other transportation independently get to and from work if not already able to do so 

Adult Career and Continuing Educational Services – Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) 

ACCES-VR Job Development Services plays a vital role in supporting individuals with disabilities in their journey to independence and self-sufficiency and helping them navigate the challenges of the job market and achieve their full potential. This comprehensive program focuses on skills assessments, resume building, interview preparation, job search strategies, and connecting people with meaningful employment opportunities in their communities and ultimately securing a desired job.  

Qualifications to Participate: 

• Must be 18 years or older and diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability 

• Has the desire and ability to work independently and maintain employment 

• Be willing and able to be travel trained to independently get to and from work by public transportation, SCAT or other means of transportation, if not already able to do so 

Supported Employment Program (SEMP) 

SEMP is committed to empowering people to achieve their employment goals. This program focuses on providing personalized support and resources to help people successfully navigate their workplace while fostering their feelings of purpose and belonging, independence and self-sufficiency. SEMP offers a combination of job coaching, skill development, and ongoing support to ensure that people are equipped to meet the requirements of their job. Dedicated People’s Arc job coaches work closely with people enrolled in SEMP, providing guidance in areas such as job readiness, workplace etiquette, and communication skills.  Initially the job coach works 1:1 with the person assisting them in mastering their job responsibilities.  Once the person is secure and feels comfortable in their position, coaching is gradually reduced. Coaching support can be increased and reduced as needed with the goal to scale down coaching to periodic checks throughout the month allowing the person to work independently.  

Qualifications to Participate: 

• Must be diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability 

• Has the ability to work independently and maintain a job 

• Be willing and able to be travel trained to independently get to and from work by public transportation, SCAT or other means of transportation, if not already able to do so

Employment Training Program (ETP) 

ETP offers a unique vocational and social experience for people seeking employment. Once accepted into the program, a Job Coach collaborates with each person receiving Vocational Services to assess their employment interests and skills. People in the program also attend job training classes, known as Job Club, at the Long Island DDRO, alongside peers who are also pursuing employment opportunities.  The Job Coach provides essential guidance in areas such as job readiness, workplace etiquette, and communication skills. They work to match program participants with potential employers, where they will work as paid interns funded by New York State. Initially, the Job Coach provides 1:1 support to help people master their job responsibilities. Once they are ready, program participants are hired by the employer and enrolled in Supported Employment.  As people gain confidence and independence, coaching support is gradually reduced. This support can be adjusted as needed, with the ultimate goal of minimizing coaching to periodic check-ins throughout the month, allowing people to work independently and successfully in their roles. 

Qualifications to Participate: 

• Must be diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability 

• Has the ability to work independently 

• Be willing and able to be travel trained to independently get to and from work by public transportation, SCAT or other means of transportation, if not already able to do so