DESERT AREA RESOURCES AND TRAINING

DART offers a variety of opportunities for persons served to increase their vocational skills through training and situational assessment. Skilled individuals with disabilities work with trained job coaches as part of integrated community employment. Our supported employment program is based on long term contracts with local and state agencies, private businesses and contracts with CalTrans and the U.S. governments. Workers are part of crews on contracts out in the community, performing a variety of jobs including but not limited to: grounds keeping, commercial janitorial services, shelf stocking and commissary custodial services. Our service contractors include China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station (CLNAWS) and CalTrans as well as many local businesses. DART has been a contractor for CLNAWS and Caltrans for 20 years.

SLS provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to live independently with necessary services and support. Individuals establish independent and safe home environments and have access to 24-hour emergency assistance. Managing personal matters, building and maintaining relationships are some of the priorities of enrolled clients. Hours of service are based on individual assessments of need and mutually agreed goals. CIT is available is available to persons living with their families to help them transition into independent living. Many persons who live with their families are unprepared and lack skills to live independently. Sometimes this is because a caring family is overprotective and, on the other end of the scale, sometimes caretakers lack interest or ability to teach living skills. We teach clients how to shop, cook, bank, and in some cases, socialize. Hours are assessed and goals determined. The ultimate goal is independence in their own home.

DART offers vocational training and assessment of work skills and habits. This includes pre vocational training, situational assessment, and full time paid work with benefits. The program is provided at the DART Thrift Store. Work may include a variety of tasks supporting functions and operation of the store including: processing and sorting donations, customer service, grooming and displaying items, maintaining the sales floor, special short term contracts and assisting with the cashier. Emphasis is placed on workplace behavior and socialization. From this initial training experience, many persons go on to work with one of our contract crews.