Services for Adults
DAWN Employment Network Services (DENS)
Whether you are ready to get to work, or are just thinking about the possibility, DAWN’s highly trained Independent Living Employment Specialist will answer your questions and partner with you to meet your goals. DAWN’s employment services include:
- Skills and Interest Inventories and Assessments
- Information and Referrals Pertaining to Benefits and Work Incentives
- Career and Family Counseling
- Job Search Skills (resumes, interviews)
- Workplace Skill-Building (communicating effectively, workplace etiquette, etc.)
- Troubleshooting Workplace Issues (including disclosure, accommodations, and advocacy)
- Peer Support
- Myth-busting information and training to employers, other NJ agencies, and anyone interested in becoming more informed about employment for people with disabilities.
- Outreach to local employers to cultivate and support inclusive employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Interactive Enhanced Life Skills
Utilizing a hands-on approach, this program offers life skills training to adults. Topics are designed to teach individuals the skills necessary to achieve success in all aspects of everyday life. Topics include strengthening self-reliance, self- assertiveness, self-advocacy and more. Workshops are held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of most months at our Denville office. Call ahead to register for a workshop. See calendar for dates and topics.
Computer Lab sessions also are provided through this program. Participants are provided an opportunity to learn and practice skills such as résumé writing and conduct basic online employment searches. Computer Lab takes place on the third Wednesday of the month from 11 to 2:30 p.m. in our Denville office. Space is very limited, so please call ahead.
Click here to see slides from previous Interactive Enhanced Life Skills workshops.
Click here to view the flyer for the Interactive Enhanced Life Skills program.
It’s All About Work
It’s All About Work is a suite of employment-related courses and individualized programs to support youth and adults with disabilities as they enter and navigate the world of work. Services for adults include:
- Tier 3 Course: Planning for Employment in Adult Life: This course is designed to assist adults with disabilities in identifying their life goals, particularly work-related, and to plan for them. The assessments/tests/activities used will be determined by DAWN staff, based on the situations and individual needs of the participants. This is a ten session course that will be provided at DAWN or another community based site. Services are available to eligible individuals as approved by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Click to view the flyer for this course.
Individual Services: One-on-one and small group services are available to assist adults with disabilities with career selection, job search, and adjustment to work. Services are available to eligible individuals as approved by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Click to view the Individual Services Flyer or Click to view a description each service offering.
DDD Support Coordination Services
Support coordination is a service that assists participants in gaining access to needed programs and State plan services, as well as needed medical, social, educational and other services. The Support Coordinator is responsible for developing and maintaining the Individualized Service Plan with the participant, their family, and other team members designated by the participant. The Support Coordinator is responsible for the ongoing monitoring of the provision of services included in the Individualized Service Plan.
Click here for more detailed information: DDD Support Coordination Services.
Living Well with a Disability
A health promotion and wellness program for adults with disabilities. Living Well is an 8-week workshop series (2 hours per session) that introduces a process for setting and clarifying goals and teaches skills for generating, implementing, and monitoring solutions. Later sessions teach skills such as advocacy, communication, nutrition, exercise and a positive attitude. But Living Well with a Disability is not just a series of lectures. An important part of the experience is meeting the other participants in the program. People with all kinds of disabilities can participate and learn from each other at the workshop’s weekly sessions. Everyone is given the opportunity to discuss their goals and get advice and feedback relevant to their own lives from the rest of the group.
Membership Meetings
The membership meets to listen to a guest speaker, learn a new skill, conduct business, or socialize. Recent topics have included internet safety, NYC travel for persons with disabilities and accessible transportation via the paratransit system. (To find out about upcoming membership meetings, please see our Calendar of Events)
Nursing Home Transition
Collaboration with other social service agencies to provide support and services to individuals currently residing in nursing facilities who wish to transition to the community.
Aging and Disability Resource Connection – ADRC
The Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) provides one-stop access to long-term supports for persons with disabilities and seniors that will enable them to live in the community. DAWNcil partners with the local Area Agency on Aging in the implementation of the ADRC in each county. DAWNcil’s role varies within each county.
Traumatic Brain Injury Program
In collaboration with the Division of Disability Services, individuals are assisted with creating a support plan for financial assistance through the TBI Fund.
Recreation
DAWN sponsors a variety of recreation events throughout the year for adults ages 25 and up. Accommodations are made available to attendees as needed. Please feel free to view and download our Recreation Policy and Procedures and our Medical and Release Forms. (To find out about upcoming recreation activities, please see our Calendar of Events)
Learn about additional services provided by DAWN: