High School Grad Finds Job, Employment Resources Through VR

Julie working in the Banner kitchen.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an opportunity to show the many DES resources that are available to individuals with disabilities. Julie Kim is one of many individuals who has received assistance from the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, which provides a variety of services to individuals with disabilities, with the ultimate goal to enter the workforce and retain employment.

In 2020, Julie participated in the inaugural Project SEARCH program through her high school. The program is designed to help young people with intellectual and learning disabilities prepare for employment and make the transition from high school to the workforce more manageable.

VR is a partner of Project SEARCH, along with the Gilbert School District and Banner Health. Throughout the program, participants are able to obtain on-the-job experience. However, due to the limitations brought about by COVID, Julie was limited to working solely on employment readiness at her high school and through VR.

“VR helped me improve on my skills and the things I needed to work on, and find jobs. It just helped me in general to be successful,” said Julie.

Following completion of the Project SEARCH program and upon graduating from high school, she was hired for a position with Banner’s culinary department. VR assisted Julie in obtaining the job at Banner, but the help didn’t end there.

Julie Kim at her job with Banner

Julie had been assigned VR counselor, Danielle Lertique. Danielle is available to Julie whenever she runs into any issues or has questions regarding employment, even after obtaining employment. Danielle also ensures Julie receives the best and most relevant services for her. On top of being assigned a VR counselor, Julie also receives on-the-job coaching. In situations like this, VR works with the employer and ensures the client has someone who will help them excel in the workplace.

“Their job coach goes on site with them [VR client] in some cases, depending on how much assistance they need. They [job coach] make sure they learn all of the tasks, and they work side-by-side with them to help them get the hang of the job and talk with managers and make sure they’re doing well,” Danielle said of the standard VR client experience.

Julie has come a long way since she started with Project SEARCH. She now has aspirations of becoming a dental assistant, for which she is currently going to school. She’s recommended VR to others, and says VR was “very helpful,” and her counselor, Danielle, was “really good and really nice.”

“She’s really wanting to do something with her life. The more she went through Project SEARCH and when we worked together, she really grew,” said Danielle. “She was afraid of everything at first, and talking, and now she talks to people, and is learning to drive.”

Learn more about the VR program and access services at des.az.gov/vr.