Goodwill of Orange County employee packaging a pile of television remotes

Programs

COVID-19: Our Response The health and safety of our program participants and team members remain our top priority. At this time, the majority of our programs are operating virtually. We continue to follow guidance from the CDC, Regional Center of Orange County, Orange County Health Care Agency, and other local agencies to align with health authority recommendations. To find out more about a specific program and its current status, click the program name below and complete the contact us form.



Goodwill of Orange County provides communication, technology, education, training and employment services to people with disabilities and barriers in our community. We are committed to new and innovative programs giving people hope, being good stewards of our resources and providing pathways to independence.


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.

Location of Services

Program services are provided at the host site in the community. Skills Trainers provide daily support for six (6) hours per day Monday through Friday. Interns must provide their own transportation.

Hours of Operations

Project SEARCH sites operate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

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.

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.









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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. The 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 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.

Location of Services

Program services are provided in the community. A Job Coach is assigned to each individual and provides door-to-door transportation as well as daily support for six (6) hours.

Hours of Operations

Community-Based Services is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

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.

Eligibility

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

Accessing Services

We invite you to meet with our Admissions Coordinator to learn more about our programs and services. If you are interested in the program, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.541.2540, ext. 4004.









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Goodwill’s Positive Behavioral Alternatives (PBA) Program was established in 2006 with the goal of providing 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 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.

Location of Services

Program services are provided in the community. 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.

Hours of Operations

Community-Based Services is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

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.

Eligibility

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

Accessing Services

We invite you to meet with our Admissions Coordinator to learn more about our programs and services. If you are interested in the program, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.541.2540, ext. 4004.









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Goodwill’s Employment First Program was established in 2015 with the goal of increasing employment opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities to be able to work as independently as possible in vocational placements of their choice. The individual earns minimum wage or above.

The Community integration component 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.

 

Location of Services

Program services are provided in the community. A Job Coach is assigned to each individual and provides door-to-door transportation as well as daily support for six (6) hours.

 

Hours of Operations

Community-Based Services is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

 

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.

 

Eligibility

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

 

Accessing Services

We invite you to meet with our Admissions Coordinator to learn more about our programs and services. If you are interested in the program, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.541.2540, ext. 4004.









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Many of us need second chances for success.

With services offered through the Young Adult Life Launch Program, Goodwill of Orange County can provide local youth that have been involved in the justice system with the opportunity to begin a new chapter in their lives, starting with finding a job.

If you have been involved in the justice system, are a resident of Santa Ana between the ages of 18 and 24 and are looking for a job, contact us for FREE employment and education training and job placement support.

Services Include:

  • Paid Work Experience
  • Paid Incentives
  • Education and Training
  • Employment/ Job Placement Assistance
  • Educational Resources/ GED
  • Supportive Services, including Housing, Transportation, Clothing and Legal Assistance

Location of Services

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

Hours of Operations

Young Adult Life Launch is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

Eligibility

  • Ages 18 through 24
  • Justice-Involved
  • Resident of Santa Ana

Fees

There is no cost to eligible participants.

Accessing Services

For more information about the Young Adult Life Launch program at Goodwill of Orange County, please contact us using the form below and a member of the team will get back to you promptly.









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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

Location of Services

ATEC provides services at your place of work, home, school or at the ATEC facility. At least one appointment should take place at ATEC 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. ATEC is located at 1221 East Dyer Road, Ste. 105, Santa Ana, CA 92705

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.

Accessing Services

We invite you to take a tour of our facilities and talk with our staff. If you are interested in ATEC and our many services, please contact Lauren Mennig, Program Manager using the form below. Contact Goodwill of Orange County ATEC at 714.361.6200, ext. 0









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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.

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.

  • Tailored to help people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
  • Job placement services
  • Work services with work adjustment
  • Independent Living

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

ILS services are appointment only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

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.

Eligibility

Our programs are designed for adults with disabilities or other barriers to independence who are age 16 years and older. Participants must be referred by the Department of Rehabilitation.

Accessing Services

Referrals are made to our Deaf Services Supervisor. Deaf Services Supervisor will discuss the program, do a pre-screening interview and tour of our facilities. If you are interested in ILS and our many services available to participants who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, please contact the Deaf Services Supervisor, at 714.586.5898 or send an email below.









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Student Services Work Experience is a service that assists youth with a variety of disabilities (16-21) with work experience training. Students gain work experience in a community integrated setting, earning minimum wage or higher. Work Experience training takes place over a three month period and consists of 100 hours of work experience in total. Students participating in the Student Services Work Experience program will gain the following skills:

  • Soft skills development
  • Workplace communication skills
  • Customer service skills
  • Time management
  • Experience with the employment application process
  • And skills specific to industries of interest

Location of Services

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

Fees

There is no cost to Program Participants, families or care providers. The Department of Rehabilitation makes referrals to the Student Services Work Experience program and pays for the services offered by Goodwill of Orange County.

Eligibility

Participants must be referred by the Department of Rehabilitation.

Hours of Operations

Student Services Work Experience is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. Once training in the community, the participant’s hours vary depending on the place of internship. Currently, our services may be able to provide job coaching support seven (7) days a week and up to eight (8) hours per day if eligible.

Accessing Services

Referrals are made to our Admissions Coordinator. The Admissions Coordinator will discuss the program and do a pre-screening interview. If interested in Student Services Work Experience, please contact the Admissions Coordinator using the form below.









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Work Adjustment is a service that helps persons with a variety of disabilities. The service focuses on assisting individuals adjust back into the work environment. Work Adjustment offers case management, behavioral management and supports to help persons develop appropriate work skills and behaviors for a work environment.

This service is ideal for people who have been without employment for a long period of time or have specific barriers to employment that have resulted in difficulties maintaining employment in the community, such as:

  • Attendance / Punctuality
  • Communication Skills
  • Hygiene / Grooming
  • Social Adjustment
  • Vocational Barriers
  • Work Behaviors
  • Work Stamina / Tolerance

Location of Services

Goodwill’s corporate office is located in Santa Ana although, services are provided throughout Orange County at a variety of satellite offices. Some of the work settings may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Janitorial
  • Retail
  • Warehouse
  • Manufacturing/ Packaging

Eligibility

There is no cost to program participants, families or care providers. Department of Rehabilitation counselors would make the referral to Work Adjustment and pay for the services offered by Goodwill of Orange County.

Hours of Operations

Work Adjustment’s training hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.
Some accommodations to training schedules are considered, which could be a reduced number of hours per day or a reduced number of days per week.
All training schedules must be within 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Accessing Services

Referrals are made to our Admissions Coordinator. The Admissions Coordinator will discuss the program and do a prescreening interview. If interested in Work Adjustment, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.547.6308.









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Ticket to Work is a free and voluntary program with several “safety nets” that can help Social Security “ticketholders” go to work and retain employment.

Many people find that returning to work or working for the first time, changes their lives. They find they can learn new skills, earn more money, gain greater financial independence and meet new people.

Goodwill of Orange County is an authorized service provider, known as an Employment Network (EN). ENs can assist ticketholders with a variety of employment services, job training opportunities and benefits counseling.

Location of Services

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

Hours of Operations

Ticket to Work is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

Eligibility

  • Ages 18 through 64
  • Blind or have a disability
  • Receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

Fees

There is no cost to eligible participants.

Accessing Services

For more information about the Ticket to Work program at Goodwill of Orange County, please contact us at 714.547.6308, ext. 3602 or tickettowork@ocgoodwill.org.









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Supported Employment (SE) is an employment service for people with development 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

The Supported Employment office is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 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.

Accessing Services

Referrals are made to our Admissions Coordinator. The Admissions Coordinator will discuss the program and do a prescreening interview. If interested in Supported Employment, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.678.1460 ext. 4053 or through the form below.









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Job Coaching is a service provided by an Employment Training Specialist (ETS) to assist people with disabilities at their place of employment. Job coaching services help program participants learn how to perform job tasks and learn necessary interpersonal skills to be successful at their place of employment. Services can be short term or long term depending on the needs of the participants and funding source. Mobility Training, a service that teaches program participants how to use public transportation to/from work and other community locations, can also be funded by a referring agency.

Job coaching services are classified into three categories:

  • Group (3:1 ratio) - program participants receive full time job coach support
  • Individual (1:1 ratio) - program participants receive minimal job coaching support
  • Short Term (1:1 ratio) – program participants receive time limited job coaching

Location of Services

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

Hours of Operations

Goodwill's Supported Employment Job Coaching program provides job coaching support services seven (7) days a week.

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

Participants must be referred by the Regional Center of Orange County or Department of Rehabilitation. Eligibility is determined by a case review team.

Accessing Services

Referrals are made to our Admissions Coordinator. The Admissions Coordinator will discuss the program and do a prescreening interview. If interested in Job Coaching services, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.678.1460 ext. 4053 or complete the form below.









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Employment WORKS is a supported employment program providing individualized job placement and job retention services to adults living with a mental health diagnosis. Each Program Participant works with an employment specialist and peer mentor to identify promising job opportunities, achieve vocational goals, and succeed in the workforce.

Employment WORKS offers:

  • Personalized program planning and assessment
  • Job placement into competitive employment or volunteer employment
  • Unlimited job coaching and on-the-job support
  • Individualized benefits counseling
  • Work experience opportunities

Location of Services

Employment WORKS - North County
2250 S. Yale St, Suite A
Santa Ana, CA 92704

Employment WORKS - South County
23871 Via Fabricante, Suite 401
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

Hours of Operations

Employment WORKS is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

Eligibility

  • Desire to work
  • At least 18 years of age
  • Receive mental health services from within the Orange County Health Care Agency’s network of care
  • Provide proof of work eligibility and valid right-to-work documents

Accessing Services

For information, please contact your local Goodwill Employment WORKS office:

North County Office: 714.638.1741
South County Office: 949.900.0550








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The External Situational Assessment (ESA) service is an evaluation that helps determine program participants' work readiness. The assessment allows program participants the opportunity to work in a real work environment, under real work conditions. The ESA provides Goodwill and referring agencies with information that helps determine appropriate service needs for each program participant.

Location of Services

Goodwill's Supported Employment and ESA office is located in Santa Ana, although services are provided throughout Orange County at variety of community employer locations.

Hours of Operations

Assessments are completed in the community, therefore, the hours will vary depending on the availability of the location.

Fees

There is no cost to program participants, families or care providers. The Department of Rehabilitation is the referring and funding agency for the External Situational Assessment service.

Eligibility

Program participants must be referred by the Department of Rehabilitation. Eligibility is determined by a case review team.

Accessing Services

Referrals are made to our Admissions Coordinator. The Admissions Coordinator will discuss the program and do a prescreening interview. If interested in the ESA service, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.678.1460 ext. 4053 or complete the form below.









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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

Deaf Resources office hours are Monday through Friday from 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.

Accessing Services

Organizations may request Sign Language communication services or accessibility and accommodation information services for their Deaf or Hard of Hearing employees or clients by contacting Deaf Resources via email (preferred), phone or fax. Deaf Resources staff will answer any questions you may have.
Email: deaf@ocgoodwill.org
Phone: 714.547.6308, ext. 3601 or ext. 3600
Fax: 714.480.7832









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Direct Placement (DP) is an employment service for people with a variety of disabilities including individuals who are Deaf/hard-of-hearing. Program participants receive job preparation and job placement services. The desired outcome is employment. Mobility training and job coaching services can be provided as recommended and funded by referral sources.

  • Employment Application Techniques
  • Interview Skills
  • Job Search Techniques
  • Employment Application Techniques
  • Interview Skills
  • Job Search Techniques

Location of Services

Goodwill provides Direct Placement services from offices located in Santa Ana and throughout Orange County at variety of community employer locations.

Hours of Operations

Office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. Appointments are recommended. 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. The Department of Rehabilitation makes referrals to the Direct Placement Program and pays for the services offered by Goodwill of Orange County.

Eligibility

Program participants must be referred by the Department of Rehabilitation. Eligibility is determined by a case review team.

Accessing Services

Referrals are made to our Admissions Coordinator. The Admissions Coordinator will discuss the program and do a prescreening interview. If interested in Direct Placement services, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.678.1460 ext. 4053 or complete the form below.









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Goodwill’s Community-Based Services (CBS) Program was established in 1991 with the goal of increasing 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.

Location of Services

Program services are provided in the community. A Job Coach is assigned to each group and provides door-to-door transportation as well as daily support for six (6) hours.

Hours of Operations

Community-Based Services is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays.

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.

Eligibility

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

Accessing Services

We invite you to meet with our Admissions Coordinator to learn more about Community Based Services and our programs. If you are interested in the program, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.541.2540, ext. 4004.









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