Vocational/Employment Services

Eligibility: APT Vocational Services (AVS) provides pre-vocational and vocational services including employment services coordination, employment planning services, comprehensive vocational evaluation services, employee development services, and community employment services, to individuals aged 18 and over, who are enrolled in a substance use disorder and/or mental health treatment program in the Greater New Haven area.

Within the AVS structure, there are Employment Specialists who work with specific populations including recently released offenders, substance abusers in treatment, TANF recipients, Department of Social Services (DSS) recipients, and Homeless Dually Diagnosed individuals.

How to make an appointment: Calls can be made to AVS to coordinate admissions by dialing (203) 781- 4600.

Program Type: Vocational Rehabilitation/Employment Services

Program Capacity: AVS operates without a census cap and individuals that are eligible for
services are accepted on a rolling admissions basis.

Main Program Address:

1 Long Wharf Drive, 3rd Floor
New Haven, CT 06519

Main Phone:(203) 781-4670
Main Fax:(203) 781-4796

Description of Services Offered: APT Vocational Services (AVS), provides community residents
with substance use disorders and/or mental health issues who face multiple barriers to
employment (including, homelessness, as well as a lack of transportation appropriate clothing,
childcare, and healthcare) with specialized vocational/employment rehabilitation.

Vocational Evaluation: A variety of assessment tools are used to collect information on
educational levels, interests, aptitude. Psychosocial evaluations and inventories to measure a
client's strengths and needs are also be utilized. An accurate snapshot emerges and assists the
team in developing a first step towards work restoration.

Vocational Counseling and Planning: Clients will identify vocational interests, skill strengths and
limitations, and will be exposed to a variety of vocational options. Clients may be referred to
resources in the community that will support their overarching goal of employment.

Educational Counseling: Clients are assisted with exploring training programs, colleges and
technical schools that will support their employment goals. AVS assists in filling out financial
aide forms, assisting clients to work out payment plans with previous financial aide obligations
and connects people with services at their learning institutions that will support them while in
school/training.

Job Coaching: Is available when a person has been out of the work force for a period of time
or has demonstrated a need for on the job supports. A job coach will assist with helping the
individual become comfortable in their new role of employee and allow the person to learn
their job tasks with on the job coaching. Job Coaching is temporary and will be in place for a
short period of time.

Job Seeking Skills: Job seeking skills consists of a cognitive and behavioral based intervention
designed to enhance interview and job seeking skills. The emphasis on identifying marketable
abilities, resume development, filling out job application forms, developing interviewing skills,
researching job possibilities, and educating the job seeker to current employment trends. Job
Seeking Skills discussions are held on employment policies, benefits and the job seekers rights against discrimination. Job interview training makes extensive use of videotaping of clients

in simulated interviews. This helps to familiarize clients with desirable behaviors, questions
likely to be asked and optimal ways of responding to specific questions (including how best
to respond to questions about gaps in employment history, previous substance abuse, and
criminal record).

Job Placement: Job Development activities include locating specific employment opportunities ,
meeting with community employers to discuss the benefits of hiring recovery people and
developing a "job bank" or comprehensive list of jobs which are client-suitable and accessed
independently. Depending on abilities and needs the Employment Specialist may also assist in
conducting a job search, may observe and critique clients' telephoning prospective employers,
may contact employers directly about clients, may accompany clients to an interview and if
an applicant is not offered a particular job, the Employment Specialist may contact the person
in charge of hiring to get specific feedback about the applicant's job interview. Through the
efforts of the Job Developer, clients' diligence and community integration, clients are assisted in
obtaining and maintaining suitable employment in their desired field.

Job Retention: Individual follow-up is available for clients in employment or training to aid in
the effective resolution of new and/or stressful situations. Ultimately, a successful vocational
outcome encompasses the overall interpersonal skills of the individual. Finding and keeping
the right job requires effective social skills, strategies for coping with daily stressors, judicious
pharmacotherapy, community support, family education, problem-solving, etc. Deficiencies
in any one of these can result in job loss and vocational failure. AVS maintains contact with
individuals for a minimum of 2 months to ensure a person is developing skills to maintain that
job.

Length of Program: Length of stay and frequency of contact is determined based on each
individual's unique needs