HOPE Services
Vocational Training Program for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
AEC's Rehabilitative Partnership with HOPE Services
Gavilan College's Accessible Education Center (AEC), in partnership with HOPE Services provides vocational training and supervised work experience at two Work Activity Centers for students 18 years of age or older. The Gavilan / HOPE program is strongly committed to providing services that promote growth toward greater independence as well as to assist persons with disabilities to live and work in their own community enjoying the same options and choices as persons without disabilities.
The Gilroy site serves South Santa Clara County and the Hollister site provides services to both San Benito and Northern Monterey counties. HOPE provides assessments, job training, job readiness classes, and supported employment services for people with developmental disabilities. HOPE's Work Activity Center provides the opportunity for individuals to earn money while increasing work productivity and interpersonal skills.
Gavilan's instructional staff provide individual and group training and classes in the following vocational areas:
- Community Awareness / Mobility
- Computer Assisted Instruction
- Employment Preparation
- Fine and Gross Motor Skill Development
- Independent Living Skills
- Leadership Training
- Person Centered Planning
- Self-Advocacy
- Training for Specific Work Skills
- Vocational Assessment / Evaluation
- Work Skills / Behaviors
Specific work skills, needs, occupational potentials and vocational interests of each student are assessed. Individual education and rehabilitation program plans are developed by both Gavilan and HOPE in cooperation with the student and the referring agencies annually.
Contract work from various companies in an integrated production environment provides actual on-site paid work experience for students.
Vocational Funding & Eligibility Requirements
Funding
HOPE Services is a private non-profit agency. Its' primary sources of funding are County, State, and Federal programs, contract services, private contributions and the United Way.
Eligibility Requirements
The Gavilan/HOPE student population includes individuals with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, autism, mental health disorders, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, multiple disabilities, and other neurological impairments. Each student must be eligible for funding from one of the following sources:
- San Andreas Regional Center
- Department of Rehabilitation
- Private Rehabilitation
- Department of Developmental Services
- Santa Clara County Mental Health
- San Benito County Mental Health
- California State School Districts
- The Foundation of HOPE