adult employemnt programs

Employment Programs

AbilityFirst provides opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to learn job skills, and find gainful employment, either at one of our three AbilityFirst Work Centers, or directly with a company, such as Ralphs, Knott’s Berry Farm, AEG and DirecTV. 

Employment Services 
This AbilityFirst program provides the support an individual with a developmental disability needs to find a job commensurate with his/her skills and abilities, and succeed as an employee working in the business world. To ensure a smooth transition, we provide pre-employment training to help equip adults with important job and workplace skills. Our job placement staff carefully evaluate both the prospective employee and the job at-hand to ensure that each person’s abilities and skills are matched to specific employer needs. Then job coaches, who work right alongside each new employee, assist in supervision and provide on-the-job training. Read more about our supported employment program and staff training (PDF).

For more information about Employment Services, contact Eddie Zhang at (562) 570-3661.

Work Centers  
Our first Work Center opened in 1946, and today we operate three Work Centers in Los Angeles County that offer paid work to adults with developmental disabilities, providing jobs tailored to the skills and abilities of each individual. Job opportunities at the Work Centers include secure document shredding, assembly, packaging, sorting, collating, mailing, and more.

A wide range of corporate clients have retained AbilityFirst for Business Services provided by our Work Centers including Lawry’s Restaurants, Inc., Union Bank, Do-A-Dot Art Supplies, Munchkin Baby Products, Tournament of Roses, Urban League, Superior Press, Bolton & Co., Halloween Store, JPL, Rocketdyne, Rockwell Collins and T. Rowe Price, among many others.

Read our Employment and Business Services brochure for additional information.

Read our Outcomes Management Report covering July 1, 2009- June 30, 2010.

For more information about our Work Centers and Business Services, email Isis McDonald, or call (626) 449-5662.