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Thank You to a Loyal Community Partner!
In early May, Tri-Cities Regional Manager Jolie Hutcheson-Rice presented a certificate of appreciation to one of our long-standing employers, Emerson Russell Maintenance Company (ERMC) at Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights. Mr. Edward Cotton, the operations manager, accepted the award on behalf of himself and his evening supervisor, Mr. Tillery. Jolie shared the numerous compliments that our customers have given to Mr. Cotton and Mr. Tillery about how much they love working for ERMC, and how much they appreciate their supervisors. Mr. Cotton expressed that "working with Career Support Systems has been an important step in the company's success, and a valuable experience."
Career Support Systems began partnering ERMC in the summer of 2008. Mr. Cotton transferred from Texas to run the operation at Southpark Mall, and found the use of job coaching services a welcomed change to what he was used to previously. Since that summer, Mr. Cotton has employed a number of CSS's qualified customers, and some are still there. Mr. Cotton and Mr. Tillery are always quick to respond to issues that may arise and have never turned down an opportunity to engage a new customer in a Situational Assessment. It's employers like this that make CSS's job coaches successful!
CSS is thrilled to have such a dedicated partner like Mr. Cotton and is excited at the prospect of many more years of continued service together. |
Situational Assessments Promote Informed Choice for Consumers
In recent month's CSS has seen the a dramatic increase in the demand for Situational assessments from our referral sources. A Situational Assessment is a valuable tool for assisting a person with a disability to make choices about the kinds of jobs that are of interest to him or her. A situational assessment uses an actual community employment environment to assess the abilities, strengths and needs of the consumer. Assessments in the community are incredibly valuable; they provide information and experiences that assessments in a simulated work environment or a sheltered workshop simply cannot, which are necessary for the individual to make and educated decision concerning employment options.
The community situational assessment allows the consumer and the job coach to learn about the job task skill requirements, the pace at which the consumer works, social skills needed, communication and teamwork needed, and the comfort level with these requirements.
Situational Assessments can be particularly beneficial to consumers who are unsure if they want to go to work or not or someone who has never worked before. The assessment would identify any additional support needs prior to job placement. All of this information is extremely beneficial to the consumer, and lowers the risk both to the job seeker and employer in the placement process.
CSS has a number of community partners who understand and appreciate the value associated with Situational Assessments. Additionally, a number of successful long term placements have come as a result of the data gathered in the situational assessments. |
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Daylight update 
Daylight Donuts, the innovative donut franchise coming to Richmond's west end will be opening in the coming weeks. The donut shop will employ a number of our customers as well as an enclave. CSS is looking to develop training curriculum and protocols the first part of June for situational assessments and potential new hires. The donut shop will be located at 10260 W. Broad Street, Glen Allen VA and will be opening in June 2010. |
