Supported Employment

Goodwill® Industries of Southern Arizona’s Group Supported Employment (GSE) program provides adults with developmental disabilities (you) employment and training activities to support their transition into competitive integrated employment or to self-employment in small groups of up to 4 adults. The goal of this program is to help them gain the employment skills needed to obtain a meaningful job in the community, based on their abilities, interests, and personal goals! Goodwill’s Group Supported Employment Program is located in Goodwill’s retail stores and New Goods Departments, and is fully integrated in the community.

All participants at Goodwill receive full competitive pay at Arizona’s minimum wage.

Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona has been providing CARF accredited services to individuals with developmental disabilities since 1978.

Participant Opportunities at Goodwill®

Goodwill offers the GSE program in 6 of Goodwill’s 20 retail locations throughout Southern Arizona as well as our New Goods Department on our Tucson Silverlake campus.

Hours of Services

Your hours are determined by DES-DDD, Goodwill retail store hours, and your IWRP team; based on your individual needs and choices. Per Goodwill’s contract with DES-DDD, you may work only during Goodwill’s regular administrative hours of operation; 8:00AM – 4:00PM, Monday-Friday, excluding contract stated holidays outlined in Goodwill’s employee handbook.

Admissions/Entry Criteria

You must meet all of the following criteria to participate in Goodwill’s GSE program:

You have an intellectual or developmental disability documented by a medical or psychological authority diagnosed before the age of 18;
You are fee sponsored with a guarantee of payment for services by DES-DDD under the Arizona long-term care system (ALTCS);
You are at least 18 years of age;
You are not a present danger to yourself or others;
You DO NOT require one-to-one supervision;
You DO NOT have a behavior treatment plan with goals actively addressing aggressive or assaultive behavior;
You have basic self-care skills;
You have the ability to manage your own medication (Goodwill DOES NOT prescribe, dispense, administer or physically control medication);
You agree to meet and follow the requirements established by Goodwill and DES-DDD;
You have the potential to benefit from the services offered by Goodwill.

Program Referrals

Goodwill permits referrals from individuals, as well as from funding sources (DES-DDD)

If the individual referral meets all of the admission criteria listed above, the referral source should contact the GSE Program Manager to confirm eligibility and determine program availability. If there is a program opening or room on Goodwill’s active waitlist, the GSE Program Manager will work with the referral source to gather information, complete the eligibility questionnaire, and schedule a suitability interview for the potential participant.

If you would like additional information about Goodwill’s GSE program you may contact the GSE Program Manager, Elaine Everson at (520) 623-5174 x7022.