Employment Services

At Lifeworks, we believe all people can work if they choose to. Through Employment Services, we help people find jobs and ensure long-term success through soft skills development, workplace accommodations, and fostering natural supports on the job. We partner with employers to create inclusive workplaces, offering guidance and training to supervisors and businesses on how to support people with disabilities. From the job search to ongoing coaching, our personalized approach empowers individuals to build fulfilling careers that align with their passions and strengths and helps transform the employment landscape to be more inclusive for all. 

Lifeworks provides Employment Services as both a 245D licensed provider and as a Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Community Partner. We offer a seamless transition through all phases of employment!

About Employment Services

Employment Services in Minnesota use the Employment First Minnesota (E1MN) framework of Engage, Plan, Find, Keep to show how waiver employment services and supports through Vocational Rehabilitation Services support people at different stages of their path to employment.

Engage

Also referred to as waiver Employment Exploration, this stage helps individuals make an informed choice about employment. During the Engage stage, individuals participate in activities such as informational interviews and job shadowing.

Plan

Also referred to as waiver Employment Development, this stage helps individuals discover their interests, strengths, and prepare for a job search. During the Plan stage, individuals participate in activities such as goal setting, benefits planning, and workplaces tours.

Find

Individuals in the Find stage have established work goals and want to start looking for a job. This stage is part of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Lifeworks is a VRS Community Rehabilitation Provider, and here to support individuals through the Find stage of their employment journey.

Keep

Also referred to as waiver Employment Support, this stage supports individuals working in competitive integrated employment be successful at work. During the Keep stage, individuals receive job coaching, training to strengthen work skills, and help developing natural work supports and coworker relationships.

Eligibility for Employment Services

The Engage, Plan, and Keep phases of Employment require that a person has a waiver for either Brain Injury (BI), Community Alternative Care (CAC), Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI), or Developmental Disabilities (DD), and must have employment support services as an assessed need in their coordinated services and supports plan (CSSP).

Eligibility for the Find phases of Employment is determined by Vocational Rehabilitation and is based on whether you have a disability that make it difficult to prepare for, get or keep work.