Dr. Delphine has demonstrated her determination to enriched Home Care Preference and staff with unparallel top notch professional evidence-based knowledge and skills on Supported Employment Services by obtaining all required credentials. She earned her Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certification from the University of Georgia Institute on Human Development and Disability, a Benefits counseling certification through Virginia Commonwealth University and, a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) Certification Credential offer by the Employment Support Professional Certification Council (ESPCC).
Supported Employment and Individual Placement and Support (IPS) rapidly places people with disabilities in competitive work (paid work in an ordinary work environment, full time or part-time), with support and follow‐up to achieve successful employment. According to Dr. Delphine, supporting people with disabilities to work in a regular job in everyday work environments enhances their lives, promotes wellness, and reduces stigma. According to Dr. Delphine, people who are ambivalent about getting a job need support and encouragement to build self-confidence about being able to work, contribute to society and live fulfilling lives.
Kim Warlow, The University of Arkansas, stated that
“Supported employment includes the word “support” Because that is precisely what people need to work”.
Supported employment was initiated to provide people with severe disabilities opportunities to work in the community. Many of these people were considered unemployable. We seem to focus on support for people with disabilities, but the fact is that we all need help in most areas of our lives. Some of us are just a little more skilled at putting those supports into place. Let’s get back to the basics of what supported employment is and who it was designed to serve.
As government-funded programs provide resources for individuals with disabilities to find employment in jobs of choice, the challenge begins with the environments they are functioning. Do they find people other than their job coaches or employment specialists for assistance, support, and encouragement? For work to be successful, people with disabilities must find workplaces that integrate with other employees. It isn’t easy for the individual to make this happen.
Although they might make some connections, job coaches and employment specialists are critical in developing natural supports. This requires exploring new territory and looking at innovative ways to prevent problems from occurring. The involvement of supervisors and co-workers as vital players in training and supporting a newly hired employee has proven to be successful.
Many individuals might find themselves physically and socially isolated in their jobs if the job coach/employment specialist doesn’t help them find those natural relationships in their careers. Assisting people to feel like they belong in their environments becomes another big part of our work. Think of it as not just helping them find jobs to be “in” but helping them find jobs where they are a part of the whole organization.
Dr. Delphine Burdick
CEO & Founder of Home Care Preference
