Home Inspector's Non-Profit Receives Award Work for Persons with Disabilities

Integrated Resources Institute to Receive 2016 Spotlight Award

The Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC) has announced that Integrated Resources Institute (IRI) will receive the 2016 Spotlight Award for its innovative employment placement services for persons with disabilities. The purpose of the Spotlight Award is to honor organizations like IRI, for contributions made toward the enhancement of life for people with disabilities in Orange County, California.

Integrated Resources Institute (IRI) will receive the 2016 Spotlight Award for its innovative employment placement services for persons with disabilities. IRI is recognized nationally and internationally for its progress leadership in integrated work outcomes for persons with significant disabilities. IRI has facilitated over 20,000 job placements  in the U.S. and Australia since 1985. The award will be presented by the Regional Center of Orange County at their awards banquet on April 8, 2016. Joseph Nacario and Steve Zivolich will accept the award on behalf of IRI. The annual award ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, Anaheim, CA.

IRI has facilitated the job placements of over 20,000 persons with significant disabilities into community work settings since 1988, in the U.S. and Australia. In Orange County they currently serve over 100 clients with significant disabilities, and have a 96% employment rate. IRI also provides consultation support for other non-profit organizations to develop similar job placement outcomes for their clients with disabilities.

The Integrated Resources Institute (IRI) work program is a 100% community-based work program. All program service hours are focused on integrated work opportunities for participants. Using a Customized Employment, and Mentor approach, the mentor relationship between employee and employer is personalized in a way that meets the needs of both. IRI has worked to strengthen the capacity of the workforce development system to improve employment outcomes for people with significant disabilities through local implementation as well as international dissemination or our demonstration research. IRI has evidence-based research data showing that Integrated Work efforts lead to positive employment and quality of life outcomes for individuals with disabilities, their families, community and taxpayers.

In addition to its employment program, IRI has developed a Supported Living service in the Orange County Area. The Mission of the Integrated Resources Institute (IRI) Empowered Living Program is to enable individuals with developmental disabilities to live and participate with full integration into all aspects of their community based upon their preferences and choice. The Empowered Living Program assists clients to determine, where, with whom, and how they want to live, resulting in more fulfilling lives based on supports customized to their individual needs and choices.

Empowered Living (SLP) goals enhance opportunities for increased independence, self-reliance, and self-esteem with the utilization of a Circle of Support. Circle members have a relationship based upon respect and dignity for the client and are vested and committed in providing support so that the client will have active participation and control within their community. The Circle will assist the client with implementing those empowerment decisions effectively and responsibly. Goals will be attained by providing supports customized to their individual needs within their community of their own residence and natural environments.

The Service Provider Award goes to an organization, vendored by RCOC to provide support directly to people with disabilities, that demonstrate extraordinary commitment to high quality, person-centered services, while also providing exemplary support for those served, which leads to meaningful lives in their communities.

RCOC will recognize Integrate Resources Institute at the Annual Spotlight Awards dinner, on Friday, April 8, 2016, starting at 6:00 pm. at the Embassy Suites, Anaheim South.

Employers interested in recruiting workers with disabilities can contact the IRI MentorWorks program at (949) 232-1172.