Day AND Employment Services
We all need a reason to get up in the morning. At Vodec, we help give purpose to the days of those we serve. Learn about our Cares, Elm, Pre-vocational, Supported Employment, Adult Transition and Student Employment Services.
CARES
Cares – offered in Omaha, Council Bluffs and Urbandale – is all about exploration. Our Cares staff plans and supervises a diverse schedule of events and activities. Each is designed to provide experiences that expose our consumers to different aspects of community life. Visit our “Events” tab at the top of this page for more information. The goal of Cares is to help our consumers make choices that will lead to a healthy and active lifestyle.
Hours of Operation
M-F from 7:30am to 3:30pm
ELM
Elm is offered at our Omaha development center. It was founded in 2003 in response to a group of parents seeking a safe place for their children to go during the day – one that would allow them to work on their habilitation goals while encouraging them to connect with others and explore the world that begins right outside their own front doors. Elm is staffed by veteran employees – individuals with compassion, integrity, leadership, creativity, accountability, patience and kindness.
Hours of Operation
Nebraska
M-F from 7:30am to 3:30pm
Pre-vocatioNAL SERVICES
Sometimes, you have to walk before you can run. People with disabilities often struggle with getting – and keeping – a job in the traditional workforce, despite all they have to offer. Pre-vocational Services – offered at our Omaha development center – allows our consumers to practice basic job skills in a safe and welcoming environment while earning a paycheck. With coaching from our staff, they perform light assembly, packaging and other tasks for our business customers. For some consumers, it’s an important first step toward future community employment. For others, it’s a way to increase self confidence and participation in life outside their homes.
Hours of Operation
M-F from 7:30am to 3:30pm
SUPPORTED Employment
There are tens of thousands of businesses in our communities, and many have never considered hiring people with disabilities. Supported Employment, offered in our Council Bluffs development center, is working to change that fact. Our Supported Employment Team hunts for local companies willing to look past silly stereotypes, conducts vocational training to sharpen the workplace skills of our consumers, develops internships and work opportunities that matches the skills and interests of our consumers, and coach new workers until those employees are comfortable and capable in their new jobs. When one of our consumers has the skills and desire to transition into the traditional work force, we pull out all the stops to make it happen. Our list of success stories is growing every day. Supported Employment Services are available any time a consumer needs on-the-job support.
ADULT transition PROGRAM / work exPerience Program
Our Adult Transition Program (ATP) is offered at our Council Bluffs Development Center. ATP is designed to meet the needs of students with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities between the ages of 18 and 21. The program helps them develop the skills necessary for daily living, including practical money management, how to get and keep a job, and preparing nutritious meals, among others. ATP is offered year-round Monday through Friday in Council Bluffs and during the school year Monday through Friday in Omaha. We are proud to work with students from several Iowa school districts.
Youth Services Program
Families managing the dual responsibilities of work and caring for special needs teenagers can find relief in our Youth Services Program. Our program operates during winter and spring breaks, as well as non-school days (excluding holidays), providing parents with peace of mind.
Our Youth Services Program is situated at the Vodec Development Center located on 612 South Main Street in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It operates Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm, catering to youngsters aged 13 to 19 with special needs. Here, they can engage in a safe and nurturing environment, participate in various enrichment programs, build friendships and enjoy leisure activities.
Enrollment is straightforward. Just reach out to Daryn Richardson at 712-328-2638 or send an email to daryn@vodec.org, to learn more about our application process and daily rates. Furthermore, we are glad to inform you that Childcare Assistance (CCA) is available, and we are approved by the Iowa Department of Human Services. To learn more about CCA, please contact the Iowa Centralized Childcare Assistance Unit by calling 866-448-4605.
