ABOUT THE PROJECT
Carey Services transformed our workshop space to create the eMPower Academy, a training and career development center, to offer career and life skills development. In this space, individuals with disabilities can gain and improve life skills, explore career options and receive training to ready themselves for community-based employment. Modular learning labs create community and education paths with relevant connections to employment needs and opportunities to achieve individual goals. Each learning lab has relevant connections to the broader community. Learning labs included are Equipment Repair, Janitorial, Foodservice, Gardening, Hospitality & Healthy Lifestyle, Instructional Center, Pre-manufacturing, Professional Services, Retail and Technology.
WHAT'S IN THE EMPOWER ACADEMY?
The eMPower Academy will have nine modular learning labs along with a central community space. Some of the career and life skills that will be a part of each learning lab are overviewed below.
Foodservice
Meal preparation, cooking, serving, setting tables, dining room and dish cleaning, order accuracy, customer service, following procedures, communication
Professional Services
Filing, sorting, cleaning equipment, filling orders, inventory control, following procedures, communication, attention to detail
Pre-manufacturing
Counting, organizing, documenting, stacking, assembly, packaging, light hand tool training, work safety instruction, teamwork, time management
Instructional Center
Internal and external use for large in-person classroom training and instruction, allows for larger scale integration of populations of varying abilities, trainings for businesses/groups on working with individuals with disabilities
Technology
Typing, basic computer skills, personal use of social media, job search training, virtual meeting and networking, smartphone use, internet safety, self-responsibility
Gardening
Production of produce, plants and flowers, watering plants, creativity, communication, planning, following directions
Hospitality & Healthy Lifestyle
Including tasks for hospitality/housekeeping and personal care such as changing sheets, laundry, cleaning bathrooms, straightening, vacuuming, sweeping, customer service, communication, time management
Retail
Handling cash, counting money, cash register training, stocking/restocking shelves, space conversion, inventory counting and control, merchandise displays, office setting etiquette
Equipment Repair & Janitorial
Cleaning, vacuuming, sweeping, chemical management, paper towel/toilet paper dispenser changing, trash management, use of protective equipment, planning, time management
FAQ
The eMPower Academy will be space and programming designed to fundamentally change Carey Service’s approach to helping those we serve to turn abilities into opportunities. Multiple learning labs within the center will serve to identify abilities, improve skills, explore opportunities, and connect with the community for the individuals we serve in multiple programming areas.
Carey Services is striving to meet the ever changing needs and goals of the individuals that we serve. This new academy will help us develop opportunities for greater involvement of the individuals we serve in the community, create additional opportunities for the community to be involved with Carey Services, meet the individuals we serve needs and desires for more meaningful and person-centered services, and help us achieve greater meaningful participation in and with the community by individuals with disabilities by turning abilities into opportunities.
The goal is to have the opportunity available to everyone to choose where and how he or she spends their time (within limits of available services in some cases). The eMPower Academy is not a separate programming choice such as Pre-Voc, etc. It is simply a tool to better serve individuals in achieving their goals, learning, earning, and spending meaningful time at Carey Services to prepare them for opportunities at home and in the community.
Somewhat. Due to requirements of some of the services that individuals have, and for the state to continue funding those services, we do have to operate within set guidelines. Our goal however, is to provide the services and opportunities that the individual desires to pursue whenever we can. To accomplish this, we may have to make some classes available at times outside of normal day services’ hours and provide opportunities that may not be funded by the state. We want to put the individual first in this decision making. This is part of our person-centered planning approach to services.
YES. At this time, not only will there still be opportunity to earn money through modified workshop operations, but additional opportunities will be potentially be available through some of the training learning labs (such as Gardening) similar to the operation of Creative Hearts. Those that choose to pursue employment in the community will have the opportunity to work with our Employment Services’ team through Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation programming.
While developing and improving skills to obtain community employment is a strong focus, the ultimate goal is to assist the individuals we serve to turn abilities into opportunities so that they live their best life based on their individual needs and choices as part of an integrated and accepting community. This may be achieved by learning a new skill to use at home, living a safer/healthier life, finding a new interest, volunteering with an activity they enjoy and believe in, or getting a job. It is up to each individual to decide what they want to achieve. The eMPower Academy is a tool so that Carey Services can support and care for the individual as they work towards those achievements as part of our person-centered approach to services.
No final decisions have been made regarding the 14c workshop. The Board of Directors of Carey Services is currently evaluating the 14c workshop. As decisions are made, the appropriate people will be informed of any changes. At this time, plans are in place to continue some operations during construction.
The choice of classes offered and scheduling will be primarily dependent on individuals’ choices and how they choose to spend their day in a meaningful way. Some classes may be selected based on community need (potential employers) and current trends, but all offerings will be designed to ensure that each individual gets to choose how they spend their time in achieving their goals. Carey Services is working with a curriculum consultant to ensure we are offering the best array of classes that can be beneficial to individuals with multiple levels of ability and interests and applicable to multiple age groups. As with everything we do, our goal is to provide the services and opportunities that meet the needs and choices of those we serve.
Multiple curriculums are being developed to meet the needs and choices of individuals, as well as certification opportunities and other classes. This process takes time and is in progress. Regular updates about planned offerings should start summer 2023. All classes and curriculums are being designed to meet the needs of the individuals we serve to learn new skills, improve existing skills, and explore more options, not just in careers, but daily living as well.
Programming at the eMPower Acaddemy initially will serve all interested individuals served by Carey Services. It is our hope and intention to grow to include other underserved populations and service organizations in the Grant County area through partnerships and other methods. The eMPower Academy aims to be a benefit to the whole community.
You can contact Jim Allbaugh, Brandi Foreman, Dan Kaufman, Kelly Scher, or Tim Kendrick with any questions. If there are questions regarding starting services (or changing existing services) with Carey Services, you can contact our In-Take Coordinator, Jennefer Reed. Contact information and responsibility areas will be provided below.
Updates are being shared through regular media releases, social media, Family newsletters, staff communications, and through partners and community organizations. Updates will also be available on our website.
Carey Services’ staff will benefit with increased opportunities for development and growth, creative solutions to serve individuals, and additional opportunities for advancement. Our dedicated staff will also be developing additional community partnerships and networking opportunities.
For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Brandi Foreman, Dan Kaufman, Jennefer Reed, or Tim Kendrick at (765) 668-8961 to discuss any individual issues, questions, or concerns. You may also reach out to your ICC, Program Manager, or Case Manager. Our goal is to give you and the individuals we serve the best information so that together you can make the best decisions for now and the future.