The Inclusion Alliance is a consortium of two supported employment service providers that operate in the Cornwall area:
- Job Zone d’emploi is a not-for profit organization that provides employment services, through Employment Ontario, Supported Employment Program as well as through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ontario Disability Support Program; Employment Supports.
- Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc. (PPRC) is a private company that provides supported employment services under the Ontario Disability Supports Program (ODSP).
The two organizations have joined together to provide the Supported Employment Program under the mandate of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD).
The Supported Employment Program provides supports to job seekers with a disability who are seeking to find meaningful employment. We work with job seekers and employers to find an employment match that creates opportunities for employment and is a benefit to both the client and the employer.
The Inclusion Alliance mission: The Inclusion Alliance assists persons with complex disabilities focus on their strengths in the workplace while helping employers maintain a competitive business advantage.
The Inclusion Alliance vision: To empower people with a disability to achieve their career aspirations by being the best they can be.
Our Service Area
We serve job seekers and employers in the city of Cornwall, the Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry, and the First Nations Territory of Akwesasne.
What We Do
There are six key services we provide to job seekers with disabilities and employers. Whether we provide all of the services or some will depend on the needs and wants of the people involved.
1. Client service planning and coordination. We meet with job seekers to explore career goals and readiness. If the person is ready or close to being ready for employment, we begin working with them. If needed, we refer job seekers to other service providers if they are best able to provide assistance.
2. Employability skills assessment. We learn about the job seeker’s skills, strengths, and any barriers they may be facing. We assist the an employment readiness plan and help them get the training they need.
3. Job search. We assist job seekers with developing the soft skills necessary to obtain employment. We can provide workshops on resume preparation and job interview techniques. We will also assist in developing job search skills.
4. Job development and matching. Job Development is the art of working with an employer and the job seeker. Once we identify what type of employment the job seeker is looking to find, the job developer searches for employment opportunities that fit. We provide suitable candidates to the employer that match the needs of the company. If our assistance is wanted with coaching, we can assist with evaluating any job opportunities, and can even accompany the person to interviews.
5. Job coaching. We provide assistance to the employer and the employee to help with the transition into the work setting. This can include job coaching for the job seeker or training opportunities for the staff. If accommodations are required to enable successful employment, we would assist in identifying the needs, the potential solutions and available funding avenues. We provide funding for adaptive technologies or assistive devices if needed, and arrange for training to help the employer and the employee make the role a success.
6. Job retention. We support employees with periodic discussions, and assist (if needed) should any challenges arise or changes occur in the work or workplace. If any performance issues come up, we support both employee and employer with the goal of improving their partnership.
We strive to make the employment experience a positive one for both employee and employer.
Who We Are
The Inclusion Alliance is a consortium built from experienced employment services providers who have pooled their resources and work together to deliver supported employment services.
In the case of the Inclusion Alliance, there are two members:
- Job Zone d’empoi
- Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc. (PPRC)
The Inclusion Alliance works closely with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Champlain East. With capable and trusted organizations working together, Inclusion Alliance is here to bring talented individuals into the workforce.
The Supported Employment Program also works with other community partners who increase the range and effectiveness of our services. You can learn more about our community partners by visiting our Resources page.
When people work together and support each other, amazing things can happen.
Roles within the Inclusion Alliance
The vision of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is to have the best educated and skilled workforce in the world, to build Ontario’s competitive advantage, and enhance the quality of life for all Ontarians.
Employment Ontario is the province’s one-stop service delivery system. Employment Ontario offers a range of employment, training and labour market programs and services, delivered by third-party service providers to over one million Ontarians every year. The Supported Employment Program is the province’s service delivery system for persons with disabilities.
Job Zone d’emploi
Job Zone d’emploi is a not-for-profit organization that provides a variety of employment services in the Cornwall area. The Supported Employment Program for persons with disabilities is part of their service delivery and they have an excellent success rate.
Its role in the Inclusion Alliance is provide services and to report to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) on the outcomes of the program. You can learn more about Job Zone d’emploi on its website.
Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc.
PPRC is a private sector company and is an approved Supported Employment Program service provider. PPRC provides supported employment services to persons with disabilities. This includes an assessment of the job seekers readiness to enter the workforce as well as supports throughout the preparation and search for employment.
PPRC helps the job seeker crystallize their goal for employment and then assists them in finding a suitable job match. PPRC has a 24-year history of successfully providing vocational rehabilitation for job seekers with disabilities.
You can learn more about PPRC by visiting its website.
History of the Inclusion Alliance
In 2016, the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) began to explore the concept of collaborating with private sector and non-profit service providers to increase the scope and effectiveness of its services.
Statistics Canada research indicated that people with disabilities faced a 40% unemployment rate, much higher than that of people without disabilities. This contrasted with the experience of many service providers, which showed that most people with disabilities were strongly motivated to work, and had valuable skills to contribute.
MLTSD began to work with two other Ontario ministries: the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the Ministry of Health to improve its supported employment services for people with disabilities.
In the summer of 2017, MLTSD made the decision to integrate the delivery of supported employment services into the consortium model. Cornwall was selected as a site for Phase One of the implementation. Job Zone d’emploi and Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc. were both approached and agreed to participate in the consortium model. In January 2018, the Inclusion Alliance was formed as a joint venture to provide the Supported Employment Program.
