Vocational Services​

When you introduce yourself to someone new, you typically exchange names, and then you ask the all-important question:
“What do you do?”

At CHI Friendship, we understand the value of work and contributing to society as parts of a person’s identity, and we believe that people who are of working age should work. In light of this, we help each person discover his/her interests and assist in finding meaningful employment and volunteer opportunities that nurture these interests. We assist people to find full-time work, part-time work, self-employment opportunities, and volunteer positions. We also actively support people at or near retirement age with this important, but completely normal, transition.

Support staff in CHI Friendship’s vocational program work side-by-side with the people we support to contribute to their communities, to be integrated in their workplaces, and to gain independence with essential work and social skills. In addition to providing this support, each CHI Friendship employee maintains CPR and First Aid certification to provide safety supports on the job and in the community.

There are five categories within CHI Friendship’s vocational program in which a person may receive support, which include “Day Habilitation”, “Prevocational Services”, “Small Group Employment”, and “Individual Employment Support”. Although a person may only receive support in one of these areas at a time, he or she may receive support in multiple categories throughout the week.

CHI Friendship also provides Vocational Rehabilitation services. Vocational Rehabilitation, also abbreviated VR or Voc Rehab, is a process which enables persons with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities, impairments or health disabilities to overcome barriers to accessing, maintaining, or returning to employment or other useful occupation.

Day Habilitation

A person will work on skill development and skill maintenance in the areas of socialization, self-help, community participation, and goal achievement as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. However, a person cannot receive a paycheck while in this service line.

Prevocational Services

A person will be receiving training and gaining experiences which will lead to paid employment while in this service line.

Small Group Employment

A person will be in a paid employment situation where there may be two to eight other people being supported with staffing. This area does not provide for people who have
self-employment businesses.

Individual Employment

A person will be in a paid position (at or above minimum wage) in an individual arrangement where he/she is able to spend time alone on the job. This area includes people with
self-employment businesses.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Services that can be purchased through VR are trial work experience, situational assessments, work experience, on-the-job supports, specialized job placement, supported employment, customized employment and extended services for youth.

Are you looking for employees to meet the needs of your business? We can help! We support an untapped workforce of potential candidates for your open positions. Please call Beth at 701-293-2948 or email beth.maesse@commonspirit.org to find out if we can help you and your business!