Project: Return to Work Inc. (R2W), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 1998, provides personalized vocational rehabilitation and employment services to Veterans, their spouses and Americans with disabilities including wounded warriors. R2W clients include recently injured soldiers returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations around the world, Nationwide Social Security Administration (SSA) Ticket-to-Work holders, referrals from other Federal and State Agencies, and Workforce One Stop Career Centers.

Project: Return To Work Inc. (R2W) provides specialized vocational evaluations, career counseling services, and entry into a nationwide employer network to help you transition back into the workforce. R2W clients receive continuous support from caring and personable Employment Specialists. Let Project: Return to Work help you transition back to work and back to life!

R2W Difference

R2W uses the most advanced technologies combined with highly skilled staff who genuinely care! R2W utilizes an advanced online personality assessment tool that matches applicants with employers based upon personality as well as education, experience, and skills.

R2W is able to offer client services free of charge due to charitable grants and donations from many generous organization, foundations, and individuals.

Process

R2W incorporates a process of evaluation, training, and placement-based career counseling services to assist our clients with returning to the workforce.

Evaluation

Client evaluations can occur in person (where available) or via the Internet through our Web-based Standard Online Vocational Evaluations (SOVE). This psychometric profiler asks the client questions in a creative way and assesses client aptitudes and preferences. This evaluation, or work preference profile, only requires an hour or less of the client’s time. Once complete, a short evaluation follow-up will occur with a R2W counselor. Finally, the client and counselor will complete the Individualized Employment Plan (IEP). The plan identifies the client’s career goals, personality traits and interests — along with traditional factors such as work experience — in order to match them with potential employers. R2W utilizes a full array of industry evaluations complying with VA, DOL, DOE, DVR / DOR, and SSA performed by professional Career Counselors

Training

Learning and skills enhancement needs are identified during the evaluation process and recommendations are made toward enrollment in vocational programs, higher education, and/or internships like R2W’s Service Learning program. Additional career counseling and training services offered by R2W include resume critiques, successful interview / presentation strategies, business and career etiquette, and more.

Service Learning

Service Learning is generally comprised of a 1-3 month internship with a real employer or in a simulated work environment, typically 1-4 hours per day and 2-4 days per week. By working on tasks of genuine interest to the client, Service Learning brings out the client’s natural resiliency to provide a learning incentive and interim step to regular employment. The process enables clients to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful with a prospective long-term employer. The employer is able to orient the client to their particular work environment while assessing the prospects for continued employment of the client.

Placement

R2W career counselors use advanced technologies to match individuals with a large network of employers and use various other employer research and networking tactics. The client’s counselor will continue to prepare their client through resume preparation and mock interviews before actual employer interviews occur. R2W’s ultimate goal for each client is placement in a lasting employment position.

R2W has offered services to clients affiliated with the following organizations over the years:

Departments of Vocational Rehabilitation

• Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
• Florida Division of Blind Services (DBR)
• Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
• New York Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)

Nationwide Social Security Ticket-to-Work program (SSA)

Department of Labor Workforce Boards and One Stop Centers

Military Organizations

• Community Based Warrior Transition Units (CBWTU)
• Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

Veterans Organizations

• DoD Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
• Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (CIAV)
• Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association (IAVA)
• Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• American Legion