programs

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.

Goodwill’s Community-Based Services (CBS) Program was established in 1991 with the goal of increasing choices 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 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, 1:2, 1:3 or 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 our programs and services. If you are interested in the program, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.541.2540, ext. 2107.









Direct Placement (DP) is an employment service for people with a variety of disabilities including individuals who are deaf/hard-of-hearing. Program Participants are assigned a Case Manager who will provide employment preparation services. Employment preparation is an individualized job preparedness service to help them develop the skills and tools they need to obtain employment. The following subjects are offered as part of employment preparation:

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

In tandem with employment preparation, the Program Participant’s assigned Case Manager will assist the individual with job searches and applying for employment opportunities. Once employed, short-term job coaching is a service that may be offered to the Program Participant to assist with a successful transition into employment and future employment retention.

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

Direct Placement is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding major holidays. Case Managers will schedule individual meeting times with you.

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.

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, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.547.6308, ext. 332.









DEAFinitely Professional Interpreting (DPI) Services provides interpreting services for organizations and businesses in the community. Interpreting services are provided to persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. DPI interpreters provide interpreting services 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

DPI is open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday for processing and scheduling requests. After hour requests will be addressed the following business day. Prearranged interpreting services are available 24/7. Services are provided at night and on major holidays at an increased rate.

Fees

DPI's interpreting services are typically reimbursed by the requesting party.

Accessing Services

Organizations may request Sign Language interpreting services for their Deaf employees/clients by contacting DPI by email (preferred), phone or fax. DEAFinitely Professional Interpreting Services staff are ready to answer your questions.
Email: deaf@ocgoodwill.org
Phone: 714.547.6308, ext. 357 or ext. 248
Fax: 714.480.7832









The External Situational Assessment (ESA) service is an evaluation that helps determine a Program Participant’s work readiness. The assessment allows the Program Participant the opportunity to perform job tasks in real work environments under real work conditions.The ESA provides Goodwill and referring agencies with information about the Program Participant’s work abilities, strengths and weakness.

An ESA can expose Program Participants to a variety of occupations in the community to determine if the participant can successfully work in competitive employment. Some of the work settings may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Clerical
  • Janitorial
  • Retail
  • Warehouse

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 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. 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.

Accessing Services

Referrals are made to our Admissions Coordinator. The Admissions Coordinator will discuss the service and do a prescreening interview. If interested in an ESA, please contact the Admissions Coordinator at 714.547.6308, ext. 332.









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
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









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 task 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. The program participants may also receive mobility training by ETS if funded by their referring agency. This service teaches participants how to use public transportation to and from work.

  • Accommodations
  • Advocacy
  • Assignments, Task and Duties
  • Communication
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Mobility Training (when funded)
  • Policies, Rules and Regulations
  • Safety
  • Socialization and Integration
  • Time Management

Location of Services

Goodwill Corporate office is located in Santa Ana, although services are provided throughout Orange County at a variety of satellite offices and community employer locations.

Hours of Operations

Goodwill provides job coaching support seven (7) days a week.

Fees

There is no cost to participants, families or care providers. When referred, Department of Rehabilitation or Regional Center of Orange County pay for the job coaching services offered by Goodwill of Orange County.

Eligibility

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

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 714.547.6308, ext. 332.









Supported Employment (SE) is an employment service for people with development disabilities. Individuals who are enrolled in SE are classified into two groups:

  1. Individual Placements - Individuals who possess the skills and abilities to work independently with minimal job coaching support.
  2. Group Placements - Individuals who benefit from full-time job coaching support.

Once enrolled, each Program Participant is assigned a Case Manager for job placement services. The Case Manager will assist the Program Participant with job searches, applying for employment opportunities and securing a job. Once employed, the Program Participant will receive on-the-job training and support by an Employment Training Specialist (ETS). The Program Participant may also receive mobility training if funded by their referring agency. This service teaches participants how to use public transportation to and from work.

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

Supported Employment 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 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 referred by the Regional Center.

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 714.547.6308, ext. 332.









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. 229 or tickettowork@ocgoodwill.org.









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:

  • Clerical
  • Janitorial
  • Retail
  • Warehouse
  • Computer Dismantling

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, ext. 332.









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. Regional Center of Orange County and 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 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 at 714.547.6308, ext. 332.









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.