VOCATIONAL SERVICES

The Vocational Services Department of BARC provides vocational assessment, training, work experience, habilitative supports, job placement, and retirement activities for nearly 300 adults with developmental disabilities, age 21 and older, in two modern, industrial employment training centers located in Quakertown and Warminster, PA.

An initial assessment is completed for each worker upon their admission to the program that identifies interests, skills, and abilities. The assessment is the cornerstone of an Individual Support Plan (ISP) that is then developed by each worker and their team based on the principles of Self-Determination and Person Centered Planning. The ISP includes goals and objectives each worker wishes to achieve during the following year. Workers receive training to perform a variety of jobs, sub-contracted from local businesses, including simple assembly, light manufacturing, packaging, collating, bulk mailings, and shrink wrapping.  Workers are paid for all work performed on a piece rate basis. Competitive employment opportunities are also available for workers who wish to secure a job in the community through the JOBS program---Joint Opportunities for Business and Society, a branch of the Vocational Services Department. The department operates a retail thrift store in the Warminster facility. The thrift store offers a great selection of furniture, appliances, knick knacks, dishes, household items, and clothing. The store also provides training to workers in all facets of retail sales, preparing them for community-based employment. The thrift store, located at 349 Ivyland Road in Warminster is open Monday - Friday from 9:30am to 4:00pm.

Two Disabled Senior Retirement Programs, DSRP, at the Quakertown and Warminster facilities, provide social and recreational activities for adults who no longer want to work, but wish to remain active in a therapeutic day program. Recently, the department also opened an Adult Day Care program at the Quakertown facility. The program provides a variety of individualized activities for individuals who are unable to work. The Adult Day Care program is an alternative to employment training. Both programs are open Monday - Friday from 9:00am to 3:45pm.

For employment opportunities in our  Vocational Services program  click here.

BARC