Employment Support Services
Mount Rogers Community Services operates an Employment Support Services Program for individuals with disabilities. Employment Support Services is committed to providing competitive, enriching employment opportunities. Employment Support Services serves approximately 350 individuals daily across 3 facilities and community employment partner sites.
Employment Support Services provides:
- Employment opportunities for people with disabilities
- Products for the federal government and promotional industries
- Manufacturing services for commercial businesses and industries
- Three convenient employment centers and many community employment partner sites
Mission
The following principles will be used to guide us in our efforts to meet our mission:
- We promote a system that enhances self-determination and empowerment of people served.
- We value building relationships as a basis for achieving growth.
- We commit ourselves to the pursuit of continuous quality improvement.
- We will be accountable for the efficient use of our resources.
Compliance
Employment Support Services is compliant with EEOC, Title VI, and ADA regulations. For additional information, click here.
History
The initial program – Mount Rogers Sheltered Workshop – was started in Marion, Virginia, in 1975 to serve residents of Bland, Smyth, and Wythe Counties. Ongoing growth resulted in the establishment of additional facilities in Woodlawn and Wytheville to serve residents of Carroll and Grayson Counties and the City of Galax. In 1981, the name was changed to Industrial and Developmental Center (IDC). Then, in 2023, the name was changed again to Employment Support Services to reflect an increased emphasis on community employment opportunities.
Employment Support Services has been successful in partnering with local businesses to provide job opportunities in center-based employment and in the acquisition of contracts to manufacture products for the federal government. In addition, the Employment Support Services supports individuals in job placement, training, and follow-along services for jobs in their home communities through our supported employment program.
Since its inception, Employment Support Services has achieved the necessary accreditation/licensure and met all regulatory standards associated with the provision of rehabilitation services, the manufacture of products, and the provision of contract labor. At the outset, our Employment Support Services program received a Department of Labor Wage/Hour certificate, which has been maintained since. Its initial accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) was achieved in 1986, with Licensure from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, ISO 9001:2008 registration, and Federal Drug Administration registration following.
In 1986, Employment Support Services started the manufacture of the first JWOD (Javits-Wagner-O’Day) product with a contract with Defense Personnel Support Center (DPSC) for Personal Effects (PE) Bags. The name JWOD was changed to AbilityOne in 2007, and the IDC continues to produce AbilityOne products for the federal government, such as Men’s Handkerchiefs, Helmet Covers, PE bags, and Sleeping Shirts for the United States Army; wiping cloths for the U.S. Navy; and coin bags for the Federal Mint.
The Employment Support Services has been successful in acquiring supplemental funding to support the services provided during its long history. Funding grants for equipment, vehicles, staffing, and training have been acquired from the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and NISH. A primary funding source since 2001, DRPT has provided for the purchase of twenty-two (22) wheelchair-lift equipped vehicles.
Currently Employment Support Services operates three facilities – in Atkins, Wytheville, and Hillsville, Virginia – and serves more than 300 individuals with disabilities. Services provided include Employment Services, Prevocational Services, and Day Support Services.
