EMPLOYER INFORMATON
Are you looking to diversify your workforce, but are not sure how?
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Are you looking to diversify your workforce, but are not sure how?
Creative Steps provides individualized pathways for employers to connect with qualified applicants at no cost and no risk to you, the employer. We collaborate with you to identify tasks that need to be accomplished in your business, and pre-screen applicants to find the best fit. The goal is customized employment that is mutually beneficial in integrated community settings. We assist with the application process, and provide 1:1 job coaching at all times—all at no cost to you.
Our Paid Internship Program can fund the wages of an intern for approximately three months. This gives the intern the opportunity to learn tasks, while you assess whether or not they will be a good fit for your business. Employers can look at it as an extended working interview, while the intern is paid and insured on our end. There is absolutely no cost to the employer. The goal is for the intern to be hired at the completion of the internship, however, if they do not prove to be a good fit, there is no obligation to hire. It is great for employees and employers alike! It gives the individuals an opportunity to gain experience and secure employment, while the services and supports we provide employers remove the risk at no cost.
Many employers have also hired Creative Steps clients immediately, without utilizing the Paid Internship Program. With this more direct pathway to employment, we still provide 1:1 coaching at all times. Coaches are paid and insured by Creative Steps.
For more information, contact our Vocational Developer:
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Jenysia Miller
Why Hire Creative Steps Clients?
First and foremost, the skills and unique attributes they have to offer as well as their desire to work.
Individuals with disabilities, compared to non-disabled employees, generally have equal or better job performance, lower absenteeism, and lower turn-over. A Dupont study showed 90% of employees with disabilities rated average or better on job performance, punctual with few sick days and low absenteeism. A Marriot Study reported 6% turnover rate among persons with disabilities versus 52% overall.
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Assistance in finding the skills needed.
Creative Steps program matches the employer needs with the right candidate, and we remain present and available to assist and adjust when needed, throughout the employment relationship.
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Increase your bottom line through customized positions.
Job customization can provide solutions for employers that increase their bottom line by removing tasks from existing staff and by fulfilling unmet needs of employers, while at the same time promoting a positive corporate image and workforce diversity. Creative Steps Clients have a huge variety of skills and work in very diverse environments. Their hours range from 2 to 20 hours a week. A little openness and creativity can result in an extremely beneficial outcome for employer and employee alike!
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There is no risk.
Individuals with disabilities, compared to non-disabled employees, generally have a better safety record (a study done by Walgreens highlighted the lower liability costs—67% lower medical treatment costs and 78% lower overall costs associated with accidents).
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Some of our clients qualify for the Paid Internship Program (PIP) and receive money toward funding and payroll costs. In addition to assistance with hiring and performance appraisal, we provide 1:1 job coach support at all times. The goal is employment, but if they are not a good fit, there is no obligation to hire! If you do hire, we continue to provide the 1:1 job coach support at all times at no cost to you.
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Our Paid Internship Program takes the guesswork out of hiring.
Our Paid Internship Program allows employers to assess the skills and capabilities of a worker without monetary investment. You can use it as an extended working interview where we pay and insure the worker, while you get to see if they are a good fit for your business. Internships usually last three months, but can be shorter or longer when appropriate.
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Job Coaching.
Coaches are a crucial component in the Creative Steps program. They provide any additional assistance that an intern or employee might in learning a new task. Their job is to support the individual to do the tasks as independently as possible, so the goal is to fade supports. However, they are always present and available to provide the supports are are needed. Job coaches are paid and insured by Creative Steps.
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Contributes to a positive work environment.
Bringing on employees who have developmental disabilities adds to a positive and diverse work environment, and contributes to a team mentality among workers. It has a positive impact on the life of the employee and coworkers, as well as on the business and society as a whole.
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Brand loyalty and positive public image.
In a survey done by the University of Massachusetts, 87% said they would prefer to give their business to companies that hire individuals with disabilities. Inclusive work environments are also extremely important to today’s workforce that highly values working in diverse and inclusionary environments.
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Tax Incentives.
Work Opportunity Credit (WOC) provides eligible employers with a tax credit up to 40% of the first $6,000 of first- year wages of a new employee if the employee is part of a “targeted group.”
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Join other thriving businesses that have experienced the benefits
of hiring Creative Steps applicants.
TJ Maxx, Walgreen’s, MOD Pizza, Unleashed Pet Store, Arthur Murray Dance Studios, Chuck E. Cheese, Wendy’s, Soto Boutique, Cinepolis Theater, Arcana: Books on the Arts, Smoke and Mirrors Event Productions, Rover Kennels, Heroic Italian, and others employ CS clients.
Some started out with our paid internship program and
others hired directly. Client schedules range from 2-20 hours a week, depending on the needs of the client and
business. The possibilities are very exciting and versatile, and I would love to explore mutually beneficial ways that
your business can get involved!
For more information, contact our Community Liaison/Job Developer:
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Jenysia Miller
Success Stories
Trent
Trent has been working at MOD Pizza since April of 2019. They hired him the day they met him, and carved out a job for him that includes assembling pizza boxes (see picture), cleaning windows, wrapping cakes, replenishing items at the soda counter, as well as other tasks as needed. He dependably completes all of his tasks, and does so with a friendly and positive attitude that is contagious! Management has recognized the value of his work and recently increased his hours. Trent loves his job! The opportunity that MOD has given him to contribute
his skills and to get compensated has made a huge impact on his life!
Robin
Robin has been an employee at Rover Kennels since June 2019. She began as an intern, and was quickly recognized for her hard work and positive personality. She remembers everyone’s name and greets them when she arrives. Not only does she add joy to her surroundings, she is also an extremely hard worker! She thoroughly cleans the kennels (see picture), does laundry, washes dog bowls, and socializes and cleans up after the dogs. She loves her job, and it shows in the quality of her work!
Sam
Sam is interning at Arcana Books on the Arts. He has always loved books and is a meticulous organizer. This internship is allowing him to use his skills in an environment that he enjoys. Sam uses facilitated communication, and it has also been an awesome opportunity for him to
be able to communicate with his coworkers.
Jessica
Jessica started as an intern at Walgreen’s. She has done a variety of tasks, but her main job is discarding expired product. This is an extremely important task that was hard to keep up with, but Jessica has made such a difference that Walgreen’s hired her, so this task can always be
kept up to date!
For more information on how you can get involved, contact our Vocational Developer:
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Jenysia Miller
FAQ'S
How does the Paid Internship Program work?
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Our Paid Internship Program allows employers to assess the skills and capabilities of a worker without monetary investment. You can use it as an extended working interview where we pay and insure the worker, while you get to see if they are a good fit for your business. Internships usually last three months, but can be shorter or longer when appropriate. The goal is employment, but if they are not a good fit, there is no obligation to hire! If you do hire, we continue to provide the 1:1 job coach support at all times at no cost to you. The internship program opens up the opportunity that most of us have had to “learn on the job,” but at no cost to the employer.
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What if the intern needs more assistance than I am able to give?
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Creative Steps provides 1:1 job coaching for the entirety of all shifts. Coaches do not replace training by the employer, but rather supplement whatever additional training might be needed. They are a crucial component in the Creative Steps program. They provide any additional assistance that an intern or employee might in learning a new task. Their job is to support the individual to do the tasks as independently as possible, so the goal is to fade supports, however, they will always be present and available in case any supports are needed. Job coaches are paid and insured by Creative Steps.
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What if the person is not a good fit for the job or not able to learn the tasks?
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There is no obligation to hire an intern at the end of the internship. When needed, we adjust and problem solve during the internship to find the right fit within a business, resulting in a mutually beneficial relationship. However, we only look for win-win situations, so there is absolutely no expectation to hire if that right fit is not found.
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I am concerned about liability issues.
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If you start with our Paid Internship Program (PIP), workers are insured on our end for the entirety of the internship, while you assess if they will be a good fit for the job. Job Coaches are Creative Steps staff and continue to be covered on our end even after an intern is hired. After hiring an intern on as an employee, they would be covered just like your other employees. Studies have shown that this is not an increased liability. Individuals with disabilities, compared to non-disabled employees, generally have a better safety record (a study done by Walgreens highlighted the lower liability costs—67% lower medical treatment costs and 78% lower overall costs associated with accidents).
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How will I communicate with the intern?
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Directly, just like you do with any other applicant or employee. It is important to always do your best to address the
applicant/intern rather than their support person. That said, some people do have communication challenges and communicate in ways that you might not be familiar with. The job coach will always be there to assist if necessary in facilitating communication.
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For any other questions, contact our Vocational Developer:
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Jenysia Miller