Employment services
As one of the largest providers for south King, Pierce and Thurston counties, Centerforce serves approximately 200 individuals with disabilities through the King County Community and Human Services, Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Support Division (DDECSD); Pierce County Human Services, Developmental Disabilities; Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, Thurston/Mason Counties Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), a school district or self-referral.
Centerforce works with these individuals in multiple service areas throughout south King, Pierce and Thurston counties:
These services assist our clients in becoming independent members of our community. We provide direct face-to-face support needed to strengthen the clients’ relationship and actions within the local community.
Our service programs
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Individual Employment
Tailored to one's needs, interests and abilities, and promote career development. These individualized services are necessary to help a person obtain and continue integrated employment at or above the state’s minimum wage in the general workforce.
These services may include:intake, discovery
assessment
job preparation
job marketing
job supports
record-keeping
and on-site support to maintain a job.
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Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: Community-Based Assessment
Designed to identify and measure one's strengths, capabilities, work skills and interests, and assists a person in selecting a job goal and the DVR support services they need to reach that goal. Trial work experience can also provide training or education to help one build skills and meet job qualifications.
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Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: Job Placement
Designed to assist with conducting job search activities and obtaining a job in the community. Services may include searching for jobs of interest to the client and identifying job leads, assistance completing job applications and developing a resume, as well as practicing interview skills and support at an interview, if needed.
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Independent Living Evaluation and Services
Used to identify issues that present problems in achieving an employment outcome. These may include information about benefits available to assist in setting personal goals, learning to manage areas such as budgeting, meal preparation and nutrition, shopping, hygiene, time management, recreation, community resources and attendant management, or finding out about housing resources.
Helping students with disabilities find jobs before graduation
Job Foundation
Before School to Work begins, Job Foundation lays the groundwork. During their second-to-last year of school, students ages 19–20 work with Centerforce and a network of school and community partners to explore what kind of work is the right fit for them. Communication, self-advocacy and workplace readiness are all part of the process. The program concludes with a county-approved Job Foundation Report, a personalized, actionable plan that drives the student's employment journey through School to Work and beyond.
School To Work
Centerforce's School-To-Work program is designed to help students with developmental disabilities land paid, competitive employment before they exit school. In their final year, students ages 20–21 partner with a full employment team — Centerforce, their school, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) — to actively develop job leads and secure a position. Serving Pierce, King, and Thurston counties, the program ensures students don't just graduate; they graduate employed, with ongoing career support already in place.
Resources
King County
Pierce County
Thurston County
Washington State
National

