Career Connections

Developing professional and personal skills.

Increased Confidence: an educational approach in developing personal and professional skills.

Career Connections develops personal and professional abilities through a structured curriculum encouraging exploration, independence, and meaningful community engagement.

Who it is designed for:

Career Connections serves adults with mild to moderate disabilities who want to strengthen independence, explore career interests, and prepare for community-based employment and engagement.

What it is designed to do:

This program uses person-centered planning to guide highly trained Direct Support Professionals in teaching essential skills that reinforce autonomy, career readiness, and social interaction. Individuals engage in hands-on experiences such as career labs, volunteer opportunities, and skill-building activities tailored to individual goals. From learning self-care routines to exploring technology and visiting local businesses, every activity is designed to inspire growth, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

For more information about OE, download our Programs and Services Handbook. To learn more about Day Programs, download a copy of our Day Programs Supplemental Guide.

Standard for all Day Programs

  • Services available M-F 7:30am – 4:00pm

  • 1:1 personal care and mealtime assistance available

  • On-site nursing staff and medication administration

  • Direct Support Professionals trained in First Aid, CPR, and Crisis Prevention Intervention

  • Curb-to-Curb transportation available

  • Support to achieve personalized goals

  • Annual assessment and team meeting

  • Dedicated staff member who serves as your direct liaison between the program and guardian

Unique to Career Connections

  • 8:1 client/staff ratio model

  • Opportunities to participate in career labs

  • Opportunities to volunteer in the community

Ready to make every day extraordinary?

Career Connections Tracks

Depending on Individual Choice and Community Engagement needs, Career Connections participants join one of two tracks. You can find a complete explanation of the Career Connections’s core curriculum here.

Perfect for those unsure of their long-term goals and/or looking for limited time in the community.

  • Weekly community engagement and volunteer opportunities
  • Group book discussions
  • Music appreciation, focusing on learning rhythm, movement, sing and instrument playing
  • Hands-on STEM experiments
  • Vocational role playing to practice essential work-related skills

Great for those ready to begin learning industry-specific job skills, go into the community and refine career skills.

  • Community engagement and volunteer opportunities
  • Career labs that focus on specific employment fields
  • Hands-on STEM experiments that explore concepts like scientific principles and observations
quotation marks icon

What do I love about OE? To be honest, everything!! OE was the only facility where I felt confident that my daughter would not only be taken care of, but challenged. She has gone through many changes mentally and physically, and the staff have taken them in stride. Not only do staff members know who Ally is and acknowledge her when they see her, but they’ve taken time to get to know me also. It’s a great feeling to bring Ally to a place where she’s comfortable, engaged in activities, safe, and loved.

Pam, F., Parent of an OE client

We based our decision on OE’s reputation for providing outstanding care to their clients. My son has now been enrolled for three years – the program keeps him engaged, and I genuinely feel part of a caring and supportive community. The staff are consistently open to new ideas and strategies to support his growth. He is treated with kindness and respect. Rachel, the program director, leads with compassion and it is clear that this work is her passion. I am extremely grateful for the unwavering care and commitment we have experienced at OE. I truly cannot imagine a better place for my son.

Jasmin A., Parent of an OE client

Meet Michael

Michael M. is a client in our Career Connections Day program (formerly known as Thrive). At one time shy and quiet, he is quite the opposite today.

Meet Jessica

Jessica’s independence has increased exponentially since being a part of our Career Connections educational day program. She wanted to learn to read, and she now can!