ESD Program Description

The Employment Services Division is currently divided into two major components:  The Packaging Division and the Mobile Crews Division.  These programs provide employment training, support and services to adults in the Hampton Roads area with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities.

Training in the Packaging Division primarily consists of employment related skill development and work adjustment with a secondary emphasis on personal care, inter-personal relations and socialization within the context of a work setting.  The Packaging Division focuses on expanding work skills in a packaging production environment.  Contracts include packaging, sorting and labeling.  The Packaging Division is staffed by the Employment Services Supervisor and one to two (2) part time Crew Leaders depending upon consumer to staff ratio.

The Mobile Crews Division provides the management and operation of an individual competitive supported employment program.  The Mobile Crew Division serves those individuals who have the capacity to be employed within PORTCO’s Federal contract sites.  Admission is contingent upon approval by the Employee Screening Committee, which is comprised of the Employment Services Supervisor, Case Management, Mobile Crew Leaders and other agencies or persons as appropriate.  In the Mobile Crew Division, employee/consumers are hired to provide facilities maintenance support for federal contract sites. 

These sites include the Portsmouth Federal Building, the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center and NEXCOM Headquarters.  Training in the Mobile Crew Division primarily consists of a variety of facilities support skills.  The importance of personal care, inter-personal relations and socialization in the context of a Federal Site work setting is also emphasized.  The Mobile Crews Division is staffed by the Employment Services Supervisor and one or two part-time Crew Leader(s).