Connections of Moorhead Inc

Connections: Serving people with disabilities since 1972.

Connections actively supports people with disabilities in achieving personal satisfaction through advocacy and empowerment using a person-centered practice.

Many people with disabilities need extra support in their daily lives. Connections provides that support by teaching independent living skills, assisting with employment needs, and helping people access available community resources. A CARF Three-Year Accreditation was awarded to Connections in July 2014 for Community Employment Services: Employment Supports and Job Development. This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization's substantial conformance to the CARF standards. Our organization went through a rigorous peer review process that demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that we are committed to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality.

History

Connections is a private, non-profit 501(c)3, which opened in 1972 with the goal of assisting people with disabilities to live independent and productive lives in the Fargo/Moorhead community. For over forty years, Connections has been a resource center for families and people with disabilities. Today, with the variety of programs offered, Connections continues to serve each individual according to their specific needs.

Who Does Connections Support? 

Connections provides services to adults (18 years and older) with a wide range of disabilities. Individuals are referred to Connections from a County Case Manager or Vocational Rehabilitation counselor.

Enclave

• The enclave service offers employment opportunities with a team approach at businesses in the Fargo-Moorhead area.
• An enclave is a combination of two to five individuals who fill one position at a job site.
• A job coach is at the job site at all times to ensure quality of work, attendance, productivity and quality standards.
• Enclave individuals are paid by Connections on a monthly basis according to their time study results and hours worked in accordance with the Department of Labor standards.
• Connections provides transportation to and from work to all enclave individuals.

Supported Employment

This option allows an individual to be directly hired by a business, but Connections provides a job coach to support the individual on the job daily to maintain successful employment.

• Connections Placement Specialist will assist with finding a job by filling out applications, building a resume and sitting in on interviews.
• The individual is paid by the business and follows all of the business's regulations, policies, and procedures.
• A job coach provides transportation to and from work.

Direct Hire

Through our direct hire service, a business hires an individual that receives services through Connections. The individual will receive initial job coaching as needed. In time, the job coach will fade out, but Connections will continue with regular follow up including weekly to monthly site visits.

• Connections Placement Specialist will assist with finding a job by filling out applications, building a resume and sitting in on interviews
• Once an individual is hired, the Placement Specialist will assist with initial paperwork and attend his or her job training.
• The individual is paid by the business and follows all of the business's regulations, policies, and procedures.
• The Placement Specialist will job coach the individual at their new job until he or she is comfortable with working on their own.
• Transportation is not provided for this option. Connections will assist those who need training to ride the city bus and provide them with a route they can follow or assist with finding other transportation alternatives.

Help with the Workforce Transition

• Connections can help an individual transition into the workforce, whether it is to find his/her first job or to assist with seeking out new employment opportunities.
• Connections can become a part of the team while an individual is still in high school by attending Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings and getting to know the individual's wants and needs.
• Our services also assist individuals who have been away from the workforce for some time and are again interested in finding employment.

Assessment Process

• Individuals may be approved for assessment funds and the assessment process is where specific needs are evaluated before a regular work schedule begins.
• Typically an individual will work with Connections for four weeks, having