The Executive Director for enVision Community Living in Steinbach says they are excited to be part of a pilot project announced this week by our province. 

Manitoba Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced on Tuesday that young adults with an intellectual disability will be able to develop their skills and connect with their communities in a new way thanks to a supported employment program.

Developed in consultation with Community Living disABILITY Services (CLDS), employment service providers and Abilities Manitoba, the Improving Quality of Life Employment Pilot Project will provide young adults aged 18 to 25 with employment services including transition planning, finding employment prospects, job skills, and employment preparedness training, and job coaching.

The pilot project is being delivered by CLDS in partnership with nine service provider agencies located in Steinbach, Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, and Beausejour. In Steinbach, it is being offered through enVision Community Living. 

"We're really excited," says Jeannette DeLong of enVision. "It's been a longstanding need for young adults who live with an intellectual disability to have some additional assistance transitioning from high school to the work world."

According to DeLong, enVision's Eastman Employment Services ran a similar pilot project back in 2018 thanks to a grant through Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries. 

"We've had very good success with that project," she says. "We've managed to find some funding to keep it ongoing."

DeLong says the announcement is still quite fresh and not all of the details have yet been relayed to them. For example, she is not sure how many individuals they will have space for, how much funding will be coming their way, or how young people will go about applying for a slot. 

The program will be multifaceted. There will be classroom work, where individuals will be improving their communication skills, learning how to use technology safely, and finding out what it means to be a good employee. There will also be lessons on budgeting and an internship. 

"We help the person to attain employment following their involvement in the project," explains DeLong.

Programming is planned to begin this spring for adults aged 21 to 25 and this summer for those aged 18 to 20. DeLong says the expectation is that some of the individuals they will be working with will be new to enVision. 

DeLong says she anticipates there will be a lot of interest, noting young adults with intellectual disabilities often need help determining how to transition from high school to the employment world. 

"For somebody who maybe takes a little longer to learn things and maybe needs a little more help navigating the social aspect of work, a program like this can be highly beneficial," she adds. 

Meanwhile, DeLong says she is hopeful that this pilot project ends up being a success across the province and that the Manitoba Government sees this as an important initiative that requires permanent funding. 

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