Springing Back into Action in 2021: Cece's PCSEPP Journey

PCSEPP, BHDDH, Employment, Opportunity, IDD, Disabilities, Rhode Island, ADA, Empower, Equality

Cece Enjoying the Beach

Whether out at the parks to feed the squirrels and other local wildlife, or at the local library to enjoy early mornings reading a book in the peaceful quiet, things this year look incredibly different than they did last year--and it's a great feeling to be out in the world again. What's even better is getting the chance to start fresh as the springtime carries on, and for Cece, a participant in the Person Centered Supported Employment Performance Program (PCSEPP), that means refocusing on her employment goals and diving headfirst into the discovery process. After a brief hiatus, and with the summer in her sights, she's looking forward to continuing where she left off with PCSEPP!

Through funding from the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH), PCSEPP partners local service providers (Perspectives, AccessPoint RI, and the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center) with national resources and tools. Organizations like Skills for Rhode Island's Future, the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMASS Boston, and Able Opportunities, Inc. lend their support so that providers can encourage individuals to not only discover their talents, but to imagine them at work in the community and build a path towards one's dream career. However, for Cece, safety has been the biggest priority throughout the pandemic, and that's why she took a small hiatus from the program to focus on staying safe. Now she's ready to start again, and with vaccinations now open to all Rhode Islanders, she's doing so with confidence.

"I'm looking forward to getting out more," Cece says. "I want to get vaccinated; it'll make me feel better about going out and getting a job."

When the second wave occurred in the fall, she made sure to reduce her risk of exposure, and that unfortunately meant putting a pause on her volunteer work at the Praise Tabernacle's Dream Center, as well as pausing her efforts to find a job in the community. Perspectives' Employment Coordinator Casey Getchell, who is working with her on her PCSEPP journey, likewise stepped into action with the agency in March to provide extra support to other service teams while Cece took a break from the program. However, with the rainy season just about behind us, the future is looking bright--especially as Casey and Cece rekindle their progress in the program. Thanks to PCSEPP continuing into 2022, Casey and Cece also have the breathing room to take full advantage of what's shaping up to be a great summer.

"We talk every week," Casey says, "and we're looking forward to the year ahead. The pandemic made the first year of PCSEPP a real challenge, but having another year means we can work safely at a pace that makes Cece comfortable."

In the meantime, Cece has been getting back into the swing of things in her community. She frequently takes trips to the library, parks, the Garden City Center, and more to enjoy the great weather and have a blast outdoors. She's also been seeing friends again, happy to have their company after the past year, and she's got a long list of things to try and do this spring--like checking out a local specialty ice cream shop. When it comes to work, she's also thinking of the spaces she likes to be in best--the outdoors, feeding local animals, and in the Dream Center, helping organize shelves and package food--and Cece and Casey agree that a job in retail or with animals would be a perfect fit.

"I love animals," Cece notes, "and I like to be outdoors. I'm hoping to be able to work with animals one day."

Casey adds, "In the future, we're looking to start up work trials, and we're hopeful to start doing in-person meetings again, too. It's been a long time since we've been able to meet outside Zoom."

And with partners like Able Opportunities, Inc., Cece is also poised to soon begin learning about how technology can aid her in her job search and in her duties when she gets hired. She's looking forward to receiving an iPad, which she'll use to create video resumes and learn other tools that help individuals take full control of their work, and as she enjoys the many apps available on her phone, she's looking forward to seeing what more the iPad can do. All the while, we're cheering Cece on in her journey through PCSEPP and wishing her the best!

Want to get in on PCSEPP? If you or someone you know is interested in joining the program and discovering the path to a career you can feel good about, reach out to Perspectives' Employment Team at employmentservices@perspectivescorporation.comor call (401) 294-3990.

Springing Back into Action in 2021: Cece's PCSEPP Journey

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