WorkFirst Employment Services

We empower individuals to uncover their unique talents, interests, goals, and skills, guiding job seekers toward meaningful, productive, and financially rewarding careers.

These services are designed to assist people with building robust lives, increasing economic self-sufficiency, and providing valuable workforce opportunity services. Easterseals WorkFirst Employment Services are CARF-accredited. CARF is an independent nonprofit focused on advancing the quality of health and human services. 

CARF accredits organizations worldwide so that people can better identify organizations offering high-quality services, such as Easterseals Southern California.

Guiding Principles of WorkFirst:

• Everyone has something to contribute to the workforce.
• Matching employee skills with employer needs is the foundation of our economy.
• Businesses thrive when staff reflect the diversity of our communities.
• Matching employee skills and talents with employer needs, promoting business growth and expansion. 

Customized Employment

Customized Employment is a service that connects job seekers with a vocational specialist. Job seekers are usually referred by local Regional Centers and the Department of Rehabilitation. The specialist helps them find work that fits their ideal job conditions. This process includes:

• Discovering the job seeker's unique talents, strengths, skills and interests.
• Developing customized work opportunities through job negotiation, job carving, worksite analysis, and other job accommodations as needed.
• Providing on-the-job support to master job tasks and responsibilities.
• Providing resources for individuals to seek guidance for social security benefits and business planning for resource ownership. 

Direct Placement

Direct Placement is a service that supports job seekers--typically referred by the Department of Rehabilitation--in securing work that meets their career goals by:

• Establishing individualized objectives for employment.
• Working on interview skills, resume building, and benefits planning.
• Identifying job openings that are a good match for the job seeker.
• Offering support to identify (modify) barriers or other needed accommodations. 

NextPath

NextPath is a one-on-one custom service that helps people who have committed non-violent crimes--typically referred by the Department of Rehabilitation--to secure jobs by:

• Establishing goals and objectives for employment.
• Providing resume development, job search techniques, interview preparation, and retention support.
• Building self-esteem.

Note: Direct placement and NextPath services may be delivered via the use of information and communication technologies based on individual need and preference. 

On The Job Support

Easterseals WorkFirst Employment Services provides on-the-job support for employment we help secure, benefiting both employees and employers during the transition period to ensure success. Specialized support will be provided as needed for the individual and the position.

Additional Service Details:

Schedule: WorkFirst Associates have flexible schedules. They usually work Monday to Friday during regular business hours. However, they can also work evenings and weekends if needed. This is determined by the type of job and work schedule desired and needed by the individuals we serve. 

Setting: Services are provided within the local business communities of the individuals we support.

Funding and Referral Sources: WorkFirst currently works with the California Department of Rehabilitation and the following Regional Centers:

• Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
• Harbor Regional Center
• Inland Regional Center
• Orange County Regional Center
• San Diego Regional Center
• Westside Regional Center

Fees: Typically, services are funded through the agencies listed above, and there is no fee to the individual

Service Providers: All services are provided directly; however, referrals to outside agencies or generic community resources are provided as needed.

• Job Seeker Resources
• California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) Customized Employment Replication Guide
• Are you a business interested in hiring? Learn more about what Easterseals employment services can do for your business.

Contact Us 

For more information about WorkFirst, call us or submit a form. 

Phone: 760-737-3990 WorkFirst Employment Services, menu option 3.