Career decision-making can be overwhelming.  JVS’ assessment services provide that objective insight, a powerful first-step to setting career goals that are attainable and desirable, no matter what your skill level or ability. 

Clients and services include: Individuals with Disabilities; Welfare-to-Work; Refugees and Immigrants; Comprehensive Vocational Evaluations, either in-house or on-site; Small Business Plan Evaluations for people with disabilities;  assessment services for clients of L.A. County WorkSource Centers; and Job Preparation and Placement services for Veterans with disabilities.  JVS also specializes in serving people who are blind and visually impaired and in the area of assistive technology.  JVS’ 6505 Wilshire location is the only one doing vocational evaluations for this population in the greater Los Angeles area and surrounding counties. 

JVS’ Disability and Assessment staff are also out in the community--at the JVS WorkSource Center, Career Planning Center, the Urban League Business and Career Center on South Avalon, and the Urban League-West Adams Baldwin Hills WorkSource Center.

CoffeeWorks

	How can a coffee cart be a classroom?  People with disabilities often have a hard time finding work or holding down a steady job.  Through CoffeeWorks, an on-the-job training program located at the Jewish Home for the Aging, they have the chance to learn viable skills such as how to manage money, how to make specialty coffee and other beverages, and how to interact with customers.  In addition to client referrals from the State Department of Rehabilitation, the program also accepts private referrals.  The CoffeeWorks program is generously funded by Wells Fargo, S. Mark Taper Foundation, the Frederick R. Weisman Philanthropic Foundation, Change a Life Foundation, Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation, and Estate of Bernard R. and Miriam S. Roth.
Kevin M. came to CoffeeWorks without any job experience.  Due to a traumatic brain injury, his progress was slow.  But with hard work, he graduated from the program and went on to find employment at Smart and Final.  With the assistance of a job coach and his CoffeeWorks supervisor, Kevin has succeeded on the job, earning praise from his supervisor and co-workers.
read CoffeeWorks article

Department Of Rehabilitation Small Business Plan Evaluation

For more than five years, the Department of Rehabilitation has relied on JVS to help determine the economic and business viability of individuals with disabilities wanting to start their own businesses.  Each year, JVS’ Assessment team gives a “thumbs up” to a wide range of people.

Having established a highly successful career and gathered years of experience in graphic design and art direction, Ellen R. developed serious physical disabilities that made traditional employment impossible. Her counselor at the State Department of Rehabilitation referred her to JVS. Her dream was to go into business for herself and maintain her independence, a goal that was within reach thanks to JVS’ Small Business Assessment Program.

JVS’ highly valued Assessment programs are supported by the State Department of Rehabilitation, Department of Veterans Affairs, the City of Los Angeles, the City of West Hollywood, the Urban League, the County of Los Angeles, LACOE, the Chevra Chai Charitable Foundation of California, and The Karl Kirchgessner Foundation.