935 Park Avenue
Cranston, Rhode Island
Phone (401) 781-4380
Fax (401)781-4396

The day program offered by Spurwink/RI that incorporates School to Career Services, Supported Employment, and other day habilitation options including daily living skills, volunteer opportunities, recreation and social skill development is called VocLinks. VocLinks services are offered to any adult client within the Spurwink/RI agency that chooses to join and any students from the children’s program that are preparation to enter the workforce. Day services can also be provided to individuals referred from local school departments for vocational and transitional supports for special needs students requiring support to bridge the gap from school to adult services on a fee for service basis. Referrals for day programs for disabled adults are also accepted directly from the Office of Rehabilitation Services and the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Individuals can also choose to pay privately for services if they choose a fee for service basis.

Population

• Fifty individuals with an array of disabilities, ages 14-60.

• Adults who are developmentally disabled as determined by the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Population service includes individuals with mild to severe intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and those with a dual diagnosis inclusive of mental illness.

• Teen-agers and young adults who are behaviorally disordered, emotionally disturbed and/or psychiatrically disabled, and who have been designated for special education and function with a minimum of low-average intelligence as measured by standardized tests.

• Individuals who would not be considered would be anyone unable to participate within community-based settings due to extreme behaviors considered unsafe for both the individual and/or staff or any individual that would not benefit from integration within the community based settings.

Referrals, Decisions and Intake

Referrals are made by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), the Office of Rehabilitative Services (ORS), or a Special Education Director from the system in which the student’s family resides. Self-referrals can also be made by disabled adults provided he/she has been approved for services by either DDS or ORS or is willing to pay out of pocket on a fee-for-service basis.

The curriculum for our daily living skills is based on Donn Brolin's Life-Centered Career Education Model. The Supported Employment component is structured as followed:

1. Referrals are made by the Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) or the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to our Supported Employment Program "VocLink".

2. A Vocational Program is completed wit h the participant to highlight the individual's interests, strengths, needs, employment or vocational history, preferable working conditions, and other relevant information. The individual also begins attending the Job Club Training Program.

3. Based on the client's needs and level of functioning, a plan is implemented in conjunction with ORS and DDD that may include some or all of the following services provided by VocLinks:

   1. A Vocational Evaluation to objectively measure interests, educational levels and aptitude performance to assist in identifying an appropriate match.

   2. A Pre-Placement Assessment within a community-based business setting to determine "goodness of fit" and degree of supports and/or modifications needed.

   3. On-Site coaching for participants based on the individual's need, as well as the employer's request.

   4. Follow-Up Supports are offered to businesses via regular phone contact or site visits as natural supports decrease the amount of on-site job coaching required for some individuals.

4. Participants who have completed the Job Club Training Program and/or those competitively employed will be offered the opportunity to join the Job Support Group focusing on problem-solving, maintaining employment and social skills development

Using this model, the VocLinks program develops job sites based on each individual's unique interests and aptitudes within a competitive market. The role of the VocLinks Employment Specialists is to support that individual in achieving the employment goals that he/she sets for him/herself in conjunction with the Office of Rehabilitation Services and/or the Division of Developmental Disabilities.

Special Services Include:

• Job Readiness: An 8-week Job Readiness Training Program is offered to all students fro the Spurwink School as well as all newly referred clients to the VocLinks Program. An interest inventory is administered as part of this course to narrow the scope of interest, and the MAPS model is used to facilitate this process of goal setting, Other areas addressed in this training include; social skills and hygiene, interviewing skills and resume development.

• School to Career Services/Transitional Services: School to Career and Transitional Services are offered to all age-appropriate students within the Spurwink School as well as any individual students where and LEA contracts with VocLinks to provide such services for either a partial or full school week.

• Supported Employment

• Daily Living Skills

• Community Integration/Recreation

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The mission of Spurwink|RI is to assist children, adults with disabilities,
and their families in pursuing social, educational, vocational
and other life enhancing opportunities.