Employment programs at Progress focus on helping people with intellectual or developmental disabilities achieve independence. A variety of services are tailored to the needs of each individual. Programming includes residential and family support, job exploration, job training, and community services.

Several different types of employment programs are available to suit a variety of needs.

The Employment Center at Progress is an innovative training center offering hands-on, simulated work in a variety of industries for people with disabilities. Individuals interested in exploring work and gaining new skills receive soft skills training and rotations in simulated work environments. Soft skills training includes professional communication, money, computers, and more. Simulated work stations offer training in retail, grocery, laundry, janitorial and maintenance work, building skills like stocking shelves, operating a cash register, processing inventory, folding laundry, and more.

Employment and Community First Choices (ECF) offers a path to employment for people with disabilities. After an initial meeting with the family, staff work with individuals to create a roadmap based off of personal goals and interests. Job exploration gives individuals the opportunity to experience different roles they may be interested in, which is followed by establishing goals and skill building to reach them. Community service is also incorporated into the program to allow for further connection and exploration into employment possibilities in the community.

Project SEARCH is an internationally established program with sites across the globe. Progress is proud to offer two Project SEARCH program sites in Middle Tennessee. Project SEARCH is a 9 month internship in an industry setting, offering tuition-free job training and educational, developmental and employment opportunities. Interns spend 9 months rotating through various departments and roles at the site, gaining valuable experience to become employment ready by graduation. Project SEARCH is a 9 month unpaid internship, and at the completion of the program, graduates are employment ready. Of the most current graduating class, 92% have achieved employment at graduation time. The goal of Project SEARCH is to fill a business need with qualified individuals living with developmental disabilities.

Progress operates two Project SEARCH programs:

Project SEARCH at Embassy Suites (Downtown Nashville): This program is designed for Metro school students (current or graduating out of the school system during the current year) with a developmental disability, age 22 years or younger.

Project SEARCH at Vanderbilt University Medical Center: This program is for anyone with an intellectual or developmental disability who has exited the Metro school system. There is no age limit.

Ticket to Work is a program for individuals ages 18 through 64 receiving Social Security disability benefits. This free service helps individuals find meaningful work while keeping access to their benefits. Ticket to Work enables people to explore work options, increase income, receive employment support and gain greater personal fulfillment through work.

MAPs is a program that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a path to learn skills to help them work, live independently, learn about their neighborhoods, and find hobbies that interest them.

MAPS helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

• Get around the community more independently

• Create networks with people, places and activities in their community

• Get a job and grow professionally

• Use enabling technology to increase independence in all areas of their life

View the MAPs flyer

Progress works with Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VR) through the State of TN.
For more information about Employment Programs, please contact Pam Hollingsworth, Director of Employment Programs at Progress at 615-399-3000 ext. 4721.