Special Education Student Support Center

The program is designed to support students and individuals with disabilities outside of educational settings. The Supported Employment initiative empowers these individuals by helping employers find qualified candidates with disabilities and providing training for entry-level roles. Utilizing a person-centered planning approach, the program considers each individual's unique interests and skills during the job development process. Nassau BOCES staff actively seek job openings in the community, aligning individual strengths with the needs of employers. Supported employees receive at least minimum wage for their positions. Collaboration between vocational rehabilitation counselors and job coaches ensures an optimal match between job roles and employees, fostering a beneficial situation for all parties involved. Initially, the job coach provides one-on-one guidance to the new employee, teaching job-specific tasks as well as essential soft skills to adapt to the workplace culture. The job coach remains fully engaged until the employee can work independently, then gradually reduces visits to a few times per month to ensure ongoing success. Many internships completed during school can lead to paid employment opportunities. Nassau BOCES offers long-term support for these workers, their families, and employers through funding from the New York State Department of Education (ACCES-VR) and the New York State Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Committed and reliable supported employees become valuable team members, earning wages and contributing to society. For more information, please call.

Intake Procedure: Please call for details.

Fees: Please call for details.