Supported Employment
The Supported Employment Programs help consumers obtain and maintain jobs in the community. Through training and ongoing supports, people with disabilities are able to gain the economic and social benefits of work in a wide variety of situations. Specialized employment supports are provided to people with psychiatric disabilities, developmental disabilities, hearing impairments, physical disabilities including blindness, traumatic brain injuries, and substance abuse issues.

Work Experience for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
This program provides work experience for individuals who are deaf/hard of hearing, with the ultimate goal of competitive employment. Program staff is diversified with both deaf and hearing Employment Coordinators. In order to better facilitate a supportive work environment, training in communication and disability sensitivity is provided for co-workers and supervisors in the job setting.

Supported Employment for Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
After a brain injury, the path toward recovery is long, with many challenges. When survivors are ready to pursue employment for the first time or to return to work, they may seek the help of Community Enterprises' TBI staff that is trained to help participants meet those challenges.

Supported Training
Community Enterprises' Supported Training Program is based at the Manchester Community Technical College in Connecticut. This unique partnership involves Community Enterprises, Inc., the college and local businesses. Participants are trained in all phases of food service and participating college students, tomorrow's restaurant and hotel owners and managers, gain first-hand experience of people with disabilities as potential employees and co-workers.

Services for Education and Employment Program
The Massachusetts Department of Mental Health funded Services for Education and Employment Program assists people with psychiatric disabilities to access higher education and/or employment opportunities in Massachusetts. This program helps participants choose a career goal and implement a career plan. Expected outcomes include a range of full and part time employment experiences with educational opportunities for both personal and/or academic growth. Practical assistance in dealing with the world of work and the routine aspects of college life is provided. This may include school registration, job search strategies, job-keeping skills, textbook selection, tutoring and transportation.

Affirmative Businesses
In addition to its regular supported employment and training arrangements, Community Enterprises maintains a number of small business ventures. These enterprises provide back-up employment opportunities and are often the first step to the world of work for program participants.

Help for Entrepreneurs
Seven percent of American workers are self-employed entrepreneurs. Understanding that people with disabilities might choose this option, Community Enterprises, Inc. with the help of the Department of Mental health and the Administering Agency for Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Mental Retardation offers small business and project development supports. These entrepreneurial initiatives have included video production companies, art and writing programs, pet sitting and transportation projects.

Volunteer Companions
Many people with disabilities lack the support and enjoyment that come from lasting relationships. Consumers strengthen and expand their personal networks by choosing volunteer companions whose interests are matched with their own.

Supported Living Opportunities

• Home Sharing

Supported Living for People with Disabilities who are Homeless
This program which serves adults with physical disabilities, helps individuals who are homeless or at risk of being homeless find and/or maintain housing in the community of their choice. Many of the consumers frequently need the supports of personal care attendants (P.C.A. s). The program can become the surrogate manager of consumer s P.C.A. s until such time as they can manage their own P.C.A. support system. Volunteers also provide help linking consumers to other generic community support options.

Support to People with Dual Diagnosis
This program is specifically designed for people with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and addictions. The three primary service elements are: the self-directed communities, outreach and aftercare. The program utilizes staff and volunteers who are in recovery themselves.

Support for Families of People with Psychiatric Disabilities
Research demonstrates that support to families can bring about a positive change for both consumers and their families and is especially effective in reducing stress. This program offers outreach from professional social workers. The Community Enterprises' family support program helps families connect with other community organizations such as the Alliance for the Mentally Ill. Group work focuses on education, problem solving and self-advocacy.

Support to Consumers who are Deaf
a specialized housing and support service is provided for deaf consumers at the Holyoke, Massachusetts office. This service uses personnel who are specially trained and are familiar with deaf issues and culture.

Housing & Support Services to Consumers of the Department of Mental Retardation
In 1993, Community Enterprises introduced housing and support services for people with mental retardation. These services are provided at the Windsor and East Hartford, Connecticut offices and all AIM offices in Western Massachusetts.

Supported Living
Supported Living for People with Physical Disabilities CE Inc./Project AIM provides Outreach Case Management and Direct Care to individuals with a variety of physical challenges. Through the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, we oversee a 4 Bedroom Congregate Living Apartment which is fully accessible and staffed 24 hours per day with PCA care. Through the UMass/Nursing Home Initiative Program, we also enter local Nursing Home Facilities to provide patients with Developmental Disabilities social/recreational opportunities both inside and outside of the facility, as well as to assist disabled individuals to learn/maintain daily independent living skills. Through the Multiple Sclerosis Society's "Home Links" Program, we also provide outreach case management to individuals with MS, helping them to access whatever services they may require in the community.