The purpose of The Skill Center is to provide
eligible consumers with opportunities to learn work/life skills and habits
while earning money for the work they perform. The Skill Center teaches how
to increase productivity so consumers can earn more money and work skills
they need to become employed. While learning these work skills, consumers
are paid at a "piece rate" which means they are paid for the amount of work
they do and how fast and accurate they do it compared to other experienced
people in the community doing the same job.
Below are some of the options consumers have
in The Skill Center. |
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During the day, consumers may choose to spend
part of the time working and part of the time learning new skills. Regardless
of the amount of work available, all consumers are expected to spend at least
one period a day participating in the Life Skills Program. |
| Eligibility/Entrance Criteria: |
| In order to be eligible to participate in
The Skill Center, you must: |
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Be a client of the Florida Department of
Developmental Disabilities or have an alternate public or private funding
source. |
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Be at least 18 years old |
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Be able to benefit from available services
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Meet regulatory health requirements |
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Be able to participate on a year-round basis
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Have an IQ of 69 or below and meet specific
funding source criteria |
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Provide evidence of eligibility to work in
the United States (I-9) |
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Eat independently |
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Toilet independently |
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Move around independently |
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Care for personal hygiene independently |
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Not exhibit severe maladaptive behaviors |
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Not engage in any behavior that is harmful to
yourself or others |
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| Work Opportunities at the Skill
Center |
Consumers enrolled at ARC have a number of different
opportunities to choose from for their work. |
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On-Site Packaging and Assembly Work: ARC
Broward develops contracts with area businesses to provide work training
for consumers in ARC's Skill Center. ARC provides skilled staff members to
assist consumers learn good work habits and the most efficient way to work,
thereby increasing the consumers' wages. Consumers in this program typically
work in groups of 10 to 12 under the direct support of a staff person who
instructs on the best way to do the job fast and accurately. |
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On-Site Janitorial, Van Washing or Food Service
Crews: Also available on the main campus of ARC Broward are several work
crews. |
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The Janitorial Crew (operating under the name"Spic
n' Span") learns basic janitorial and housekeeping skills in a classroom
setting and then puts the skills to use helping to maintain the ARC campus.
The consumers learn basic floor maintenance, as well as how to clean offices,
restrooms and classrooms. Workers/trainees in this program are paid for any
work they do outside the classroom. |
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The Van Washing Crew enjoys the great
outdoors while getting paid to wash and clean the ARC fleet of vans. They
also can travel to other sites to provide the service to other organizations.
Inside the vehicle, consumers learn how to clean windows, dashboards, and
vacuum. On the exterior, they wash and wipe down the vehicle with special
attention to spotless mirrors and windows. |
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The Food Service Crew (operating the "Calypso
Grill") Opportunities for learning food preparation, serving and clean
up are available through the Calypso Grill located on the organization's
main campus in Sunrise, Florida . Under the direction of an experienced food
service manager/award winning Chef, ARC consumers, staff and visitors will
be able to enjoy a hot lunch and snacks throughout the day. |
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Community Based Enclaves and Work Crews: ARC
Broward also offers work opportunities in the community. An enclave is a
small group of consumers and a team leader from ARC working within an area
business. Typically they work along side of the company's employees, but
receive supervision from an ARC staff member. The enclave provides an
intermediary step for consumers who may be interested in competitive or supported
employment in the community. ARC pays consumers. Work Crews typically travel
to sites to perform services, such as janitorial or housekeeping, for area
businesses. Work crews have a team leader who transports the crew and supervises
their work. ARC pays consumers. |
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| Career Exploration in the
Community |
ARC Broward believes it is important for consumers
to be able to make informed choices. As it relates to choices regarding work
and careers, ARC makes available a number of services that increase their
knowledge of career options available to them in the community. These services
include: |
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Factory tours |
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Job Shadowing |
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Informational Interviews |
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Situational Assessments |
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Factory or business tours can be arranged
depending on the interests of the consumer and the willingness of the business.
The idea is to expand the awareness of the many different varieties from
which consumers can choose.
Job shadowing is the opportunity to actually
spend a few hours observing experienced workers perform a job. This gives
the consumer much more realistic ideas of what is involved in specific jobs.
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Informational interviewing is a chance
for the consumer, and or their representative, to actually ask questions
regarding jobs they are interested in. Because it is not an actual job interview,
it is a "safe" opportunity to discuss issues relating to whether or not they
think they could do the job or what kinds of accommodations might be necessary
to overcome certain functional limitations.
Situational assessments are a "hands on"
experience for the consumer to actually try different kinds of jobs. Under
the direction and supervision of an ARC staff member, the consumer performs
the essential duties of the job they are interested in doing. This assessment
typically last from one to three days so the consumer has sufficient experience
to learn whether or not it is a job they will really like and do well in.
Part of the experience is an assessment of the potential of developing natural
supports within the company to ensure success if the consumer chooses to
pursue employment. |
| Life Skills |
Each day is divided into four modules of one
hour and fifteen minutes. Consumers can choose to work up to three modules
a day, but are expected to participate in at least one module of skill
development. Each consumer's individual plan will identify at least two areas
they want to learn that will add to their quality of life. Specific curriculum
for the following skill areas measures the consumer's progress in the class
and provides instructional guidance for staff members: |
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Safety at Work |
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Safety at Home |
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Safe and Fun Exercise |
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Making Change |
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Planning Meals and Eating Healthy Foods |
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Computer Learning |
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How to use a Computer |
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Academic Basics |
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Games for Learning |
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Surfing the Internet for Fun and Information
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