(SEMP) SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

About SEMP

Through The Nicholas Center's Supported Employment Program (SEMP) , our trained staff provide job development and job placement services based on an individual's interests and skills. Individuals are supported at work with the goal of fostering confidence, building independence, securing internships and gaining meaningful employment. This program is available to: individuals and families, businesses and community community partnerships and vendors.

The Nicholas Center - Supporting Education

“We support young adults with finding competitive employment. Sometimes that includes internships and other types of opportunities through businesses in the community,” said Director of Supported Employment Programs, Norma Jean Miller. “We do different types of activities to come up with job match criteria. We assess the person’s skills, abilities and interests to find a good job match for them.” Says Miller, "One of the most important parts of creating a neuro-inclusive work environment is offering different types of systems in place to accommodate certain needs.” Systems might include: visual aids and color coordination to make transitions from task to task smoother. SMUSHT Ice Cream shop participates in the Nicholas Center SEMP program. Steve Edelson partnered with the Nicholas Center, a local organization that supports individuals with autism, to employ some of their participants. The Nicholas Center employees currently work alongside job coaches at Smusht. “They’re doing great,” Edelson said. “There’s a pride for me in terms of being able to provide an inclusive environment for all customers and employees.”

Supported Employment Programs Include:

Employment Training Program (ETP)

Includes a series of discovery activities to assess each person’s skills and interests to develop successful job matches. Individuals may participate in a paid internship at a community business that is developed by staff based on that job match criteria. Individuals are supported at their internship by a trained Nicholas Center Job Coach. Following the internship, interns are expected to be placed in permanent job placement.

Extended SEMP

This program entails individualized job coaching support provided by a trained Nicholas Center job coach. The job coach supports the individual at work with improving their independence, building confidence and fostering a meaningful work experience. The job coach may also provide skills training to assist the individual in learning tasks, following procedures and establishing natural supports at work.

Pathways to Employment

Consisting of discovery activities to assess each person's skills and interests. Our comprehensive discovery provides the insight needed to create a series of community work internships. The Community Work Internships allow the opportunity to 'try out' different career paths to help the individual gain additional work experience in particular fields and determine potential job matches. Interns will also participate in a curriculum based work readiness course to develop other skills essential for employment. This includes topics such as resume building, professional communication, problem solving and more.

Learn more about semp

SEMP For Individuals and Families

SEMP For Businesses and Partnerships

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SEMP For Businesses and Partnerships

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SEMP For Vendors

SEMP For Businesses and Partnerships

SEMP For Vendors

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