Employment

Employment resources for Class Members.

Application/Referral for Employment Services

Prime Agencies that transition Colbert and Williams Class Members from institutional settings should already provide (either through their agency or through a subcontract) Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment services.  Internal processes for making those referrals should be in place.

If you would like to apply for or refer someone for help in finding a job or living at home independently, you may complete the online form for the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) at: https://wr.dhs.illinois.gov/wrpublic/wr/dynamic/referral.jsf.

  • Once you have submitted this form, a counselor will contact you to set up an appointment to complete the application process. During the appointment, they will discuss your goals, the nature of your disability, and the services they can provide. Submitting the application/referral from also provides a confirmation number you can use to follow up on the referral, as well as the contact info for the DRS field office the referral is being forwarded to.

Learn More

If you would like to hear more about success stories of customers who have benefitted from services or find links to other DRS resources, please visit: “DRS Success: Making It Work Together.”

Want to know more about how working might affect your benefits?  Illinois Disability Benefits 101 (IL DB101) provides tools and information on health coverage, benefits, and employment – allowing people with disabilities to plan ahead and learn how work and benefits go together.  It gives providers the ability to accurately, confidently, and effortlessly deliver information about basic benefit planning, employment services, and resources for additional support.

Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is a model of supported employment for people with serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar, depression). IPS supported employment helps people living with behavioral health conditions work at regular jobs of their choosing. Although variations of supported employment exist, IPS refers to the evidence-based practice of supported employment.  Find more information at the The IPS Employment Center.

Trainings/Webinars

  • Williams/Colbert Employment Services Provider Workshop, March 28, 2023