Fans of CIS Instagram may recognize Tremaine, who we featured back in 2021 for his standout job in his role at Royal Farms.
Today’s write-up and update on him comes from Beth Holston of the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, which has connected him with critical resources–like job support through CIS–that have helped him find success at work. In this spotlight, Beth traces Tremaine’s path from a sheltered workshop to his current job at Royal Farms, which tells a vital story about the importance of integrated employment.
“As part of WIOA Section 511, the focus was to ensure individuals with disabilities could achieve competitive integrated employment through the services provided by the State’s Vocational Rehabilitation program. The focus was to look at individuals in enclaves or those earning sub-minimum wages first to see if they would be interested in pursuing community competitive integrated employment.
As part reviewing 511 cases, Sue Brewster from DVR referred Tremaine to Sussex DVR office for supported employment services. Beth Holston, VRC began working with Tremaine in October 2019. Prior to this DVR referral, Tremaine had been working in a sheltered workshop setting, making sub-minimum wages for 12 years. He worked 40 hours a week making less than minimum wage standing collecting items on an assembly line or cleaning. Each day he would rotate his tasks.
Through informed choice, Tremaine selected to work with Community Integrated Services as his Supported Employment provider. Tremaine completed supported employment assessments. Based on previous work experience and assessments, Tremaine was able to identify an employment goal of stock clerks and order fillers. He was also open and interested in doing janitorial type work as well.
Tremaine obtained employment with the assistance of CIS at Royal Farms in Georgetown, DE in May 2020 as a Maintenance worker. He takes care of trash inside and out, cleans bathrooms, puts stock away on truck days, sweeping and mopping and general cleaning. Tremaine also cleans up any spills as needed, cleans the doors and windows. He is super friendly with customers during his shifts, most of the regular customers know him by name. VRC has observed Tremaine help with self-checkouts, lottery machines and assisting customers with propane tanks outside. These are all job duties outside of Tremaine’s job description, but his managers have entrusted him to do. VRC has spoken with Tremaine’s manager, and they are quite pleased with his work ethic, attendance, and being a team player.
Recently Tremaine transferred to a new Royal Farms location. It was supposed to be a temporary move, however, he really loves the new location and would like to stay there. Tremaine [continues to work a full schedule]. Tremaine is familiar with time off requests and does so accordingly. He is up to date on trainings. He remains employed with Royal Farms now for over 3 years and counting!
Bridgeville Store manager (Tyra) there and District manager (Tom) are happy with him and his work. CIS Staff Orville continue to provide drop-in supports.”
Way to go, Tremaine!