TARC Industries/Employment Services

TARC Industries / Employment Services (TIES) is a non-profit production facility that provides employment opportunities and work related experiences for persons with developmental disabilities.

The Employment Program at TARC is comprised of four distinct service areas.

Part one begins with our production warehouse, formally titled, TARC Industries. TARC Industries provides work training, skill development and training wages for those individuals choosing to work within this setting. TARC Industries collaborates with various community businesses to complete sub-contracted work; in return, those we serve complete sub-contracted work to high quality standards. Work performed includes boxing, labeling, sorting, sealing and various other light manufacturing components. In addition to these sub- contracts, TARC Industries has also developed four different lines of business. These businesses were developed to provide a variety of work skill training, increase the diversity of work available to those we support and to allow TARC Industries to become less reliant on businesses that sub-contract work. Our internally controlled lines of business include a full-service mailing program, an in-house print facility, packaging of military meal kits for the Kansas National Guard (and other states) and secure, confidential, and affordable document destruction services. Early in 2009, TARC Industries also became an authorized State Use Vendor for document destruction, mailing and janitorial services. TARC Industries partnered in 2009 with over 370 local, national and international companies to meet their sub-contracting, mailing, printing and document destruction needs.

Part two of our employment program focuses on assisting individuals with disabilities, in a group setting, who are interested in working within their community but who may need significant support and service in order to be successful. This group work performed in the community, or enclave employment services, has proven to be a successful training program over the last 25 years. Employees are afforded the opportunity to experience on-the-job training in the community while working on an enclave. Although individuals continue to receive training wages through TARC Industries, they must meet the work criteria established by the community employer and adhere to their work policies and procedures. The benefits of the program are numerous. Individuals who are hesitant about working in the community can experience community-based work without fear of failure. For many, this program can boost training skills, enhance confidence and lead to individualized employment later in life.

Community job placement with job coaching is the third part of TARC's employment program. TARC Employment Services works with individuals every step of the way as they achieve community job placement. This includes working on resumes, job applications, developing interview skills and locating appropriate jobs in the community. Participants of this program are employed and paid directly by their community employer. Job coaches work with program participants to ensure that they reach and exceed expectations.

The final and fourth part of TARC's Employment Program involves community job placement with access to job coaching. Within this model, individuals with disabilities have been successful placed and are meeting the requirements of their job description. Regular, daily job coaching services are no longer necessary for long-term success. Within this program, individuals receive regular follow along services from their job coach. The job coach will check in periodically – daily, weekly, or monthly to ensure that the employee is meeting the requirements of their job. At any time, either the employee or the employer can request that the job coach re-enter to facilitate improvement on the job. This is typically seen when management changes have occurred or when work methods have changed. Once the employee is back up to the standards required by the employer, the job coaches will once again phase out and remove themselves from the work site.