Families
Programs & ServicesSupported Employment
Learn MoreCommunity Integration Day Support
Learn MoreECHO Academy and Assessment Center
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Contact UsThere is a story behind every man and woman that becomes a part of the ECHO family. Through the support of their families and the caring staff at ECHO, each individual is able to overcome barriers to employment and community access and achieve their optimal levels of personal and economic growth through ECHO programs that provide jobs for people with disabilities and much more.
Programs & Services include:
- Group Supported Employment
- Individual Supported Employment
- Day Support and Community Integration
- ECHO Academy and Assessment Center
- Medically Fragile
- Transportation
Group Supported Employment
ECHO specializes in providing valued, meaningful community-based employment designed to maximize each individual’s opportunities in accordance with their interests. The individuals work in small groups with on-site support at businesses in the local community.
Benefits include:
- Opportunities to try a variety of work
- Daily training and support at the worksite by qualified staff
- Paid vacation/sick days and holidays
- Transportation services from home to work for most participants in Loudoun and Fairfax Counties
- Pay based on productivity using approved wage rates
- Help in achieving individual goals
- Opportunities to access the community
- Advocacy support
Individualized Supported Employment
ECHO is now offering a new program, Individualized Supported Employment (ISE), to assist participants secure employment through coaching, individualized support and training. ISE is a powerful and flexible way to create employment opportunities, ensure regular employment benefits, provide ongoing support and achieve full participation and integration into the workforce and the community at-large.
Individuals in the program are assigned a job coach to assist with the employment process from start to finish. This involves assessing the individual’s strengths, weaknesses and job interests and assisting with skill building, resume writing, job applications and job interviews. Once in the workplace the job coach helps with learning the various job responsibilities. As the individual becomes more familiar with the position the job coach fades and only provides services as-needed to ensure the success of the individual and business partnership.
Please contact us at (703) 779-2100 or info@echoworks.org for more information.
Day Support
ECHO’s Day Support Program blends in-house and community access skills training to individuals who are not currently interested in, or pursuing, employment as the main focus of their day. It seeks to enhance daily living, safety, communication, decision-making, self-advocacy and awareness skills of the individuals by building on their interests and choices.
The Community Integration L.I.F.E. (Learning, Independence, Friendship, Empowerment) Day Support Program brings a higher level of community involvement and a more diverse array of skills training and activities to the individuals receiving services. These activities are designed to develop new skills, reinforce skills training, and develop relationships in the community.
ECHO Academy and Assessment Center
The ECHO Academy is a structured teaching environment that will enhance individuals’ purpose, independence and employability. The ECHO Academy complements our Employment, Day Support, and Transportation services. The Academy encompasses five areas of focus: Hygiene; Computer Skills; Life Skills; Social Skills, Personal/Community Skills; and, Vocational Development.
The ECHO Assessment Center with the innovative PAES lab details participants’ career aptitudes and interests. The Lab is a simulated work environment where individuals are assessed on career potential and employability skills. PAES can help identify functional skill levels, career interests, aptitude for community-based employment, and work behavior strengths and barriers to success.
For more information please contact Valerie Burton at valerieb@echoworks.org or (571) 707-8244.
Medically Fragile
ECHO’s Medically Fragile Program offer person-centered, comprehensive support and training for individuals with significant support needs. The goal of this program is to maintain and enhance an individual’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional abilities that will result in an optimal quality of life for each individual. This program serves up to 20 men and women.
The Medically Fragile Program Staff consists of:
- Licensed Registered Nurse(s)
- A Licensed Practical Nurse
- An Occupational Therapist
- Certified Nursing Assistants and Aides
- Drivers
Our staff consults with families, physical therapists, special education teachers, support coordinators, physicians and residential providers to ensure a comprehensive, personalized program to meet each individual’s goals. Each person has a customized exercise program developed by the occupational therapist that works to enhance his or her strength, endurance, and range of motion. This program also provides opportunities for community involvement, socializing, and skill development.
Transportation
Transportation is another important part of the ECHO advantage. Since our beginning, we have provided daily transportation to and from a program participant’s residence and their worksite. This has allowed individuals with disabilities greater opportunities for employment and community involvement.
As ECHO programs and services have grown, so has our transportation system. We now have 37 vans and small buses, many of which are wheelchair accessible, that in total average 24,000 miles per month while transporting approximately 140 program participants to and from their homes and worksites.
ECHO is now a Logisticare provider which allows individuals funded by Medicaid Home and Communities-based waivers to use ECHO transportation. ECHO also contracts with the Loudoun County Department of Family Services, coordinating VIEW transportation and providing on-demand transportation for their clientele.
How to Access Our Services
Please click here for information on how to access ECHO’s Employment and Day Support Services.