Fort Wayne, Ind. — Lincoln Financial Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana to help enhance employability and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the coming year.
Easterseals Arc will provide assessment, training, internships, education, placement and support to consumers who will be placed in meaningful jobs and training opportunities that match their skills and interests. Participants will be paid work stipends while completing internships and on-the-job training.
Easterseals Arc offers a wide range of employment services for participating adults, including the Transitions day program and Employment Readiness Academies. Transitions curriculum focuses on employment and new technologies that have been integrated into daily activities that include community integration. Employment Readiness Academies provide eight weeks of hands-on job training at partnering employers.
Easterseals Arc also serves student participants at several area schools through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Pre-ETS includes job exploration, work-based learning, workplace readiness, self-advocacy, and education counseling.
Easterseals Arc also works directly with area employers through the neurodiversity workforce training initiative, teaching them how to create inclusive work environments.