Where to Find Dedicated, Talented Employees for Your Business

PCSEPP, BHDDH, Employment, Great Resignation, Workforce Crisis, Opportunity, IDD, Disabilities, Rhode Island, ADA, Empower, Equality

When the U.S. Labor Department's monthly reports come out, and the headlines blink their summaries across cyberspace, one thing becomes apparent: the workforce is a place ripe with opportunity, as businesses are continuously looking for new talent. What has been called the Great Resignation across the internet has businesses looking to hire new talent quick--and with the holidays coming up, it's all the more important that businesses can meet their hiring needs.

The question remains: where can businesses find these workers? And the answer is right in their own communities, where an untapped labor force is ready to put their talents to good use.

With the Person Centered Supported Employment Performance Program, or PCSEPP, employers not only have the opportunity to find new talent, but also re-imagine the way they fulfill their business's needs. PCSEPP is a program funded by the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health, Hospitals, and Developmental Disabilities, where provider agencies like Perspectives, AccessPoint RI, and the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center work with agencies like Skills for Rhode Island's Future, Able Opportunities, Inc., and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMASS Boston to support individuals with disabilities in finding jobs they love. It starts with the Discovery process, where individuals get in tune with their skills, interests, employment histories, and more--and it ends with learning the tool and using the resources to be successful, independent, and most importantly, happy, on the job.

"Customized employment means everyone uses these tools differently to do their best work," says Perspectives Career Developer Brittany Dorrance, "and with Discovery, we're able to get the foundation of a successful job search by finding what individuals really want to do."

"with Discovery, we're able to get the foundation of a successful job search by finding what individuals really want to do."

With trained employment professionals there to guide them through the steps, individuals make amazing headway on finding both conventional and unconventional ways to bring their skills to the workforce. Gina from AccessPoint RI, for example, had the chance to do a work internship at Once Upon a Child through PCSEPP. There, she made fast friendships with the team, learned what they love about working at the store, and gained a better understanding of the work involved--which she found she loved to do. The manager, April, loved having her there as well, and was happy to offer Gina a part time job, welcoming her to the team to work two days a week. Not only did Gina get to learn new skills, she also proved to be a valuable member of the team as she put herself out there to show her dedication--and with a job she loves, and coworkers who are just as passionate, it was a wonderful match.

"Employers are already willing to learn what accommodations an individual with disabilities might need to be successful; they want to add more diversity to their teams," says SkillsRI's Senior management of Supported Employment, Danna Spencer, "and we're glad to have the opportunity to work with PCSEPP, because now we can connect all our customers, job seekers and employers, and help them find a great fit with each other."

The value these hard-working, enthusiastic individuals bring to businesses goes beyond their place on the team, too. Internally, the additional diversity can only help a business, as individuals with disabilities contribute unique skills, perspectives, and ideas to day-to-day functions. Turnover rates also decrease, saving businesses money in hiring and training new employees, because not only do these hard-working individuals stay dedicated to jobs they love--they also inspire their peers to be more motivated on the job. And of course, customer loyalty increases, too, when they see the business they patronize is committed to hiring people from all walks of life who are willing to work hard and give it their all. Higher productivity and profitability--who can argue with that?

When this labor pool stands ready to jump aboard and make a difference, there's no reason to go into 2022 with anything other than a strong, stable, and committed team. And with the impact it makes--on customer satisfaction, team morale, and the independence and satisfaction of the individual working hard each day--it's definitely a move worth making. If you or someone you know is interested in expanding your business with dedicated professionals like the ones participating in the PCSEPP program, reach out to Perspectives' Employment Team at employmentservices@perspectivescorporation.com, or call (401) 294-3990!

Where to Find Dedicated, Talented Employees for Your Business

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