CASE Member Spotlight
Clements Centre Society
Pour la version française de cet article, veuillez cliquer ici. | For the French version of this post, please click here.
The Clements Centre Society (CCS) in Duncan, British Columbia, was started in 1957 and, after almost seven decades, has grown to include a child development centre and adult services.
CCS skilled and trained staff in adult services consist of community support workers, employment specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. Programs include three staffed living homes, home share services, supported employment, semi-independent living, outreach services, and community inclusion programs.
Supported Employment Program
CCS has been offering employment services within the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island since 1997. CCS’s Supported Employment Program helps with the identification and fulfillment of self-directed employment goals for adults with developmental disabilities or who are neurodivergent. The centre is funded through Community Living British Columbia and services are referral based.
Three types of employment services are offered:
- Supported Employment
- Customized Employment
- Self Employment
CCS strives to provide culturally safe employment services for Indigenous participants by practicing cultural humility and self-reflection to embrace continuous learning. Staff develop service plans that reflect Indigenous values and practices and that support Indigenous rights with the goal of decolonizing the system and strengthening local autonomy.
Benefits to Job Seekers
Individualized job coaching and support: Staff work closely with each participant to understand their strengths, interests, and career goals. Job coaches provide personalized support to help individuals develop job skills, search for employment opportunities, prepare for interviews, and succeed in the workplace.
Employer partnerships: Collaborations with local businesses and employers create inclusive and supportive work environments for individuals with disabilities. Through these partnerships, employers learn the benefits of hiring persons with disabilities. Ongoing support ensures success for both the employee and the employer.
Ongoing support and advocacy: CCS is committed to providing ongoing support and advocacy to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the resources and accommodations they need to thrive in the workplace. Support might include assistance to navigate workplace challenges, access accommodations, and advance in their careers.
Clements Centre Society client working at Home Depot.
Flexibility to Meet Local Worker/Employer Needs
CCS operates as a hybrid employment program that provides on-the-job support, no matter the day or time of the shifts, from competent trained Employment Specialists. The Employment Specialists work closely with our employer partners to support their business challenges and needs.
We meet our job seekers in their employment journey without judgment or reservations. We are transparent in our actions, provide guidance to our community partners, and adhere to the best practices set by CASE to ensure proactively addressing the needs of our job seekers.
The Supported Employment Program consists of a dedicated team with members who believe in the person and that everyone can work, regardless of the challenges they may face.
Watch this short video with CCS clients and partners talking about the benefits of inclusive employment.
Aiming for Excellence
CCS’s service delivery encompasses a continuum of integrated supports for housing, food security, and other social supports. Through strong data collection and analysis, areas of improvement are identified to foster continuous growth and improvement to existing programs.
Staff aspire to evolve and adapt our services to elevate them to the next level and to enhance all participants’ experiences. CCS believes that if we all work shoulder to shoulder, we can propel diversity and inclusion into all workplaces and help to eradicate discrimination and bias.
For more information about the Clements Centre Society, we invite you to look at their website.