POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL ALTERNATIVES

Goodwill’s Positive Behavioral Alternatives (PBA) Program was established in 2006 to provide support to individuals with developmental disabilities whose behaviors create barriers to integrating into their communities and securing paid employment.

PBA focuses on implementing positive behavioral supports to assist the individuals with achieving a higher level of independence and access to their communities.

The community integration component of the program provides training in the areas of safety skills, social skills, purchasing skills and self-advocacy. Services are offered at a Job Coach to Participant ratio of 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3. A Job Coach is assigned to each individual or group and provides door-to-door transportation as well as daily support for six (6) hours.

 

Location of Services

Program services are provided in the community.

 

Hours of Operations

Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding major holidays

 

Fees

There is no cost to participants, families or care providers. Regional Center of Orange County is the referring agency for PBA and fully funds the services provided.

 

Eligibility

Participants must be referred by the Regional Center of Orange County.

PROJECT SEARCH

Project SEARCH was established in 1996 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Goodwill of Orange County launched its first Project SEARCH site in 2018 with the goal of providing non-paid internships in a variety of work experiences. The program includes onsite classes relating to work readiness. The classes are taught by instructors in collaboration with community college districts.

The program takes place at the host site. Goodwill’s Project SEARCH Programs are currently located in local hospitals. Supports are offered at a Skills Trainer to Intern ratio of 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3. Skills Trainers provide daily support for six (6) hours per day.

 

Location of Services

Program services are provided at the host site in the community. Interns must provide their own transportation.

 

Fees

There is no cost to participants, families or care providers. Regional Center of Orange County is the referring agency for Project SEARCH and fully funds the services provided.

 

Hours of Operations

Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., excluding major holidays.

 

Eligibility

Participants must go through an application process starting with the Regional Center of Orange County. The applicants are interviewed by a panel and chosen based on the criteria set by the Project SEARCH selection committee.

PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Goodwill’s Paid Internship (PIP) Program was established in 2017 with the goal of providing support to individuals working in a Paid Internship position in the community. PIP is paid at minimum wage or above in the industry of the participant’s choice. The goal is to support the individual so that they gain valuable skills to assist them with either being hired at the PIP site or in a related industry.

The community integration component of the program provides training in the areas of safety skills, purchasing skills and self-advocacy. Services are offered at a Job Coach to Participant ratio of 1:1. A Job Coach is assigned to each individual and provides door-to-door transportation as well as daily support for six (6) hours.

 

Location of Services

Program services are provided in the community.

 

Hours of Operations

Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding major holidays.

 

Fees

There is no cost to participants, families or care providers. Regional Center of Orange County is the referring agency for PIP and fully funds the services provided.

 

Eligibility

Participants must be referred by the Regional Center of Orange County.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE CENTER (ATEC)

Goodwill of Orange County's Assistive Technology Exchange Center (ATEC) enables individuals to increase their independence at school, home, or in the workplace by providing the best technological solution for their individual needs.

Our devices and pieces of equipment, both high tech and low tech, are intended to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of people with disabilities.

This comprehensive assistive technology program provides a variety of services, including assessment and training; consultation; technical support; and equipment installation, delivery, and repair.

ATEC is also a Device Lending and Demonstration Center through Ability Tools that provides free, short-term AT device loans and reuse that help people live independently. Items available for loan include low and high tech communication devices, magnifiers, mobility devices, computer access equipment and more. To see what devices and equipment are available, contact ATEC or visit the National AT Directory (NATADS) website at https://myatprogram.org/home/6/100088.

Location of Services

1221 East Dyer Road, Ste. 105
Santa Ana, CA 92705

ATEC provides services at your place of work, home, school or at the ATEC facility. At least one appointment should take place at our ATEC office to allow you to see our many assistive technology aids. If we go off-site from ATEC, there may be an additional fee for travel time and mileage.

Eligibility

Anyone may refer you to ATEC for services. Typically, services are funded through third party agencies, such as school districts/ SELPAs, Regional Centers, Department of Rehabilitation, employers or private pay.

DEAF SERVICES / INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS

​​Independent Living Skills (ILS) is a classroom-based service designed to assist Deaf and Hard of Hearing participants with the skills needed to become more independent. The services provided are pre-vocational including assessment and training, and are meant to address specific barriers participants may face regarding their homes, schools, communities, and employment. Our programs are designed for individuals who are 16 years and older.

Some examples include: assistance with completing the DMV written test, banking skills, community resources/services, employability and employment preparation, appropriate work interactions, communication strategies such as use of video phone, and basic reading and math.

ILS Offers:

  • Services tailored to help people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Job placement services
  • Work services with work adjustment
  • Independent living support

Skills (ILS) Classes include:

  • Learning sign language
  • Video phone training and more
  • Community resources
  • Computer skills
  • Math, reading and writing

Location of Services

Goodwill's corporate office is located in Santa Ana, although services are provided throughout Orange County at a variety of satellite and partner offices.

Hours of Operations

By appointment only, Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding major holidays.

Eligibility

Participants must be referred by the Department of Rehabilitation.

Fees

There is no cost to program participants, families or care providers. The Department of Rehabilitation makes referrals to the Independent Living Skills Program and pays for the services offered by Goodwill of Orange County.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT

Supported Employment (SE) is an employment service for people with developmental disabilities. Program participants receive job preparation and job placement services. Mobility training and job coaching services can be provided as recommended and funded by referral sources.

Location of Services

Goodwill’s corporate office is located in Santa Ana, although services are provided throughout Orange County at a variety of community employer locations.

Hours of Operations

Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding major holidays.
Once employed in the community, the participant’s hours vary depending on the place of employment.

Fees

There is no cost to Program Participants, families or care providers. Regional Center of Orange County and the Department of Rehabilitation make referrals to the Supported Employment Program and pays for the services offered by Goodwill of Orange County.

Eligibility

Program participants must be funded by the Regional Center. Eligibility is determined by a case review team.

DEAF RESOURCES

Deaf Resources provides awareness, accessibility, and accommodation education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals for organizations and businesses in the community. Deaf Resources connects communication service providers to persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and matches sign language service providers for meetings and events, such as:

  • Classes/Education
  • Concerts
  • Conventions
  • Employment Interviews, Orientations and Trainings
  • Medical Appointments
  • Private Events
  • Public Events
  • Religious Services
  • Staff Meetings

Location of Services

Interpreting services are provided at the site where the services are requested.

Hours of Operations

Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for processing and coordinating requests.
After hour requests will be addressed the following business day.
Prearranged sign language services are available 24/7.
Services are provided at night and on major holidays at an increased rate.

Fees

The services delivered by Deaf Resources are in general reimbursed by the requesting party.

COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

Goodwill’s Community-Based Services (CBS) Program was established in 1991 to increase choices and opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities. CBS focuses on vocational placement in areas such as retail, food service, assembly and light industrial.

The community integration component of the program provides training in the areas of safety skills, purchasing skills and self-advocacy. Services are offered at a Job Coach to Participant ratio of 1:4. A Job Coach is assigned to each group and provides door-to-door transportation as well as daily support for six (6) hours.

Location of Services

Program services are provided in the community.

Hours of Operations

Monday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,, excluding major holidays.

Eligibility

Participants must be referred by the Regional Center of Orange County.

Fees

There is no cost to participants, families or care providers. Regional Center of Orange County is the referring agency for Community-Based Services and fully funds the services provided.