Byesville Rotary introduced to REM of Ohio services

Pictured: Chuck Fair, Byesville Rotary President, Scott Dettra and Jackie Buydos, Job Developers, REM of Ohio.

Scott Dettra and Jackie Buydos, Job Developers, from REM of Ohio introduced Byesville Rotary to the services they provide to individuals with developmental disabilities. Dettra stated that the goal of REM is to “…help individuals have a good life, hold down a job, earn a salary, and integrate into the community.”

Buydos pointed out that REM is working with Guernsey County Board of Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) and Guernsey Industries meet a state mandate requiring workshops to integrate individuals using workshop services into the local business com.

Dettra stated that REM offers a 12 week vocational skills program meeting 5 days a week. One hour each day offers pre-vocational training covering basic skills employers expect potential employees to have. Topics covered include how to interact with other people, fill out forms, clock in and out, and dress for interviews as well as practice interviewing in mock interviews.

Four hours a day is spent at a business location where trainees learn and apply job skills specific to a particular job. This hands-on training occurs in many types of work environments such as retail, office, hotel, restaurant, or car dealership. The hands-on training allows trainees to explore different types of careers as well as discover what each person is good at. Dettra pointed out that recruit local businesses to provide training sites.

Buydos explained that after trainees master the skills taught in the 12 week program, REM staff helps the trainees find a job and prepare for the interview. REM also provides job coaches to trainees to help the new employee settle into his/her new job. REM considers trainee successful when they have held a job for 3 months. Job coaches remain available to provide additional job training support if the new employees job changes.

Buydos and Dettra are proud to report that graduates of their program have a higher productive rate that the worker and are considered very dependable. Dettra reported that REM began their first job development program in Cambridge with 8 trainees. Three of their trainees now have jobs in the community.

More information about the services REM offers is available at 740-432-3371.

Connect with Byesville Rotary at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283. The club meets 7:30 am, Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Walk-ins are welcome at the club’s meeting.