Training & Employment

Comprehensive services including job development, placement, and on-the-job coaching for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health needs.

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Community Employment

Hope Services supports participants in achieving their career goals by helping to place them in a job and providing personalized support.

  • Individual Placement. The employment team matches a candidate to a job and a Hope job coach provides on-the-job training. Coaching services then decrease, but are provided as needed.
  • Group Placement. The employment team identifies the right candidates for the group and provides them with initial on-the-job training and continuous support during work hours.

Our EMCC program also helps those seeking employment.

Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a unique, business-led, one-year internship program that takes place entirely at the host business site. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and relevant job skills training through strategically designed internships. The goal is integrated employment for graduates.

Project SEARCH teaches participants valuable skills through a combination of classroom instruction and internship experiences. This increases confidence and opportunities for future employment. Participants are taught about important concepts such as social skills in the workplace, teamwork, communication, and self-advocacy. They train for and work in jobs such as:

  • Data Entry
  • Filing
  • Stocking and Inventory
  • Mail Processing
  • Clerical Work
  • Shipping and Receiving
  • Environmental Services
  • Food Safety and Preparation
  • Lab Assistant

Hope has three ongoing Project SEARCH collaborations:

  • Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center PDF
  • Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and Stanford Medical Center PDF

Service Eligibility for Community Employment

Service eligibility is determined by a regional center. Contact your Service Coordinator about the opportunity to participate.

Participants Must:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Be a client of a regional center
  • Have a desire to obtain and maintain a job

Project SEARCH Eligibility

To qualify for Project SEARCH, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a desire to work
  • Be a client of a Regional Center
  • Have graduated or exited from high school by the program start date

More Information About Community Employment

Kim Nakahama
Program Manager
Hope Services
1555 Parkmoor Ave.
San Jose, CA
knakahama@hopeservices.org
408-282-0885

Chantell Pickett
Program Manager
Hope Services
8855 Murray Ave.
Gilroy, CA 95020
cpickett@hopeservices.org
408-846-6902

Heather Perez
Program Manager
Hope Services
220 Lincoln St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
hperez@hopeservices.org
831-600-1512

Zoraida Garcia
Project SEARCH  Manager
(408) 282-0411