Also operating at the workshops is VSI’s unique Work and Personal Services Program. WPS provides services for 26 individuals at North Kansas City and Liberty.
One of VSI’s most unique programs, WPS has been studied regionally and even nationally for its unique expansion of opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
VSI’s Work and Personal Services helps people with disabilities who might otherwise not qualify for workshop opportunities.
State regulations require minimum abilities for workshop placement. Each year, several individuals fall below those levels, or don’t qualify in the first place. Ultimately, their only option becomes a day habilitation program or even just “staying home.”
VSI developed WPS to provide more intense supervision, motivation and assistance to these individuals as a means of increasing their work skills. This allows them to retain their options for employment.
The techniques used include everything from community service to skill-training and other efforts. Many WPS participants have been able to increase their skill levels by two, three or even four times, allowing them to retain their workshop choice. More information.

Vocational Services, Inc. operates three workshops, one in North Kansas City and two in Liberty. The most recent information shows 54 persons are served at the North Kansas City location and 66 at the Liberty Facility No. 2. The third workshop, the Liberty Annex, employs 30 persons.
This total of 150 people in the VSI workshops are comprised of 108 from Clay county and 38 from Platte County, plus four individuals who work with VSI through a program with Tri-County Mental Health Services. More information.

Vocational Services, Inc. (VSI) designed a School to Work Program to serve as an early intervention program for high school students with developmental disabilities. This program helps students find meaningful jobs in the community.
These individuals work either in VSI’s workshops or in the community Supported Employment Program. As a result of the School to Work Program, VSI has designed its programs to be more flexible to meet the educational needs of students and still meet their employment needs.
With School to Work, VSI is also able to get involved with students at a younger age, which allows for a longer transition period from school to work. Most students will be able to work at least two years in these programs, rather than waiting until their last semester of high school. VSI’s Supported Employment Job Developer is working with students to enable them to enter directly into community supported employment. In the past, many students began working in the workshop before being considered for the Supported Employment Program. VSI provides tours and information to area students and teachers, and gives presentations at area schools about what opportunities are available at VSI.

VSI Pet Care Products is one of the most unique programs offered by this nonprofit organization.
In part an economic development and job creation effort, Pet Care Products manufactures and markets first aid kits for pets and horses nationally. The work allows VSI to create additional job opportunities that complement the traditional contract work undertaken by workshops. For more information, visit our Pet Care Products Web site (opens in new page)

The Supported Employment program is one in which persons with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (MR/DD) in Clay and Platte counties are assisted in obtaining their choice of employment in the Northland.
This is accomplished through partnerships with Clay and Platte counties, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and the State of Missouri Department of Mental Health.
The key to VSI’s successful Supported Employment includes job development, assessment of consumer needs and abilities, and follow-along to ensure that workers succeed on their job.
As of dec. 31, 2003, there were 80 individuals receiving services through the Supported Employment Program.
Some of the jobs include: food preparation, maintenance, dish washers, sacking and stocking shelves at local grocery stores, groundskeepers for an Apartment Complex, maintaining an exercise facility, and working as an assistant teacher in a toddler room at a daycare.
Five consumers work at the Liberty Wal-Mart SuperCenter as cart gatherers, door greeters and maintenance personnel.
Our Job Developer works with consumers who are interested in pursuing community based employment. If individuals qualify for supported employment, they begin a job assessment process. During the assessment period, individuals go to various job sites to see what interest and skills they have, and what areas they will need assistance with.
The next step of the process is job development where they create a resume, complete applications, and work on interview skills. Consumers are accompanied to interviews with a Job Developer. After accepting outside employment, individuals receive job coaching and follow-along services.
VSI also operates an “enclave program” at the Clay County Courthouse and Administrative facilities. These work teams combine close supervision similar to workshop employment with community work sites similar to supported employment. A total of 19 individuals are being served in VSI’s enclave program. More information.

VSI’s Community Development Department has been active, successfully pursing grants and other funding sources to maintain and expand VSI’s services for people with developmental disabilities.
Among the 2003 highlights, the Community Development Program successfully achieved these highlights:
• Grants and contributions: $117,972.
• Arc Thrift Store proceeds: $44,000.00
These and other Community Development events provided several benefits to the community. Fund raising was a benefit with efforts such as the parade entries, bowl-a-thon and walk-a-thon.
In addition, these events also provided an important link with the community and opportunities to recognize the contributions made by the community to VSI programs—and contributions made to the community by workers with disabilities.
One of the most dramatic examples involved the Community Awards Night. This event provided an opportunity to recognize those community individuals who have furthered the idea of employment and other opportunities for people with disabilities—in some cases contributions of more than 30 years.

VSI uses a comprehensive outcomes measurement system to measure the success of its programs. Data is collected on a variety of performance indicators, measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of VSI programs/services, as well as customer satisfaction. Our outcomes system has been an effective tool and has guided a number of changes in an effort to continue to strive for quality services. Highlights of our 2003 Outcomes Measurement were:
• Workshop consumers referred to Vocational Rehabilitation for Supported Employment and who obtained employment: 10 workshop consumers obtained community employment in 2003.
• Percent of consumers who expressed satisfaction with Supported Employment Services: 95%.
• Percent of persons served who have maintained community employment 12 months or longer: 73%.
• Average hourly earnings of sheltered workshop consumers: The 2003 average is $1.08.
• Availability of obtaining Work and Personal Services: There are a total of 51 consumers who have received services out of a total of 70 referrals since July 1993. There are 5 Clay County residents on the active waiting list.
• Percent of persons served who express satisfaction with our program/services: 95%.
• Percent of persons served who express satisfaction with their portfolio and goals: 100%.