Vaughn House client at TxDOT.

Our Job Quest/Readiness Program provides opportunities for deaf adults with mental disabilities to build self-esteem; enhance social and coping skills; reduce reliance on public support, such as welfare and food stamps; and gain knowledge of essential concepts for maintaining employment in the “real world,” such as work ethic, proper behavior, hygiene, and appearance.

Employment Services for Job Placement provides individual assessments, counseling and support to help clients develop and implement a job search/placement plan. Services may include career guidance, interview skills training, job searching assistance, interpersonal skills development, job-related skills mastery, and understanding related issues, such as how employment affects SSI or SSDI. Staff provides follow-along monitoring and counseling to assist and assess client progress. Vaughn House provides job coaching on an as-needed basis.

Vaughn House clients take a break.

The Workforce Program trains, employs, mentors and supervises clients in the custodial industry through State Use Contracts coordinated by Texas Industries for the Blind and Handicapped and in the auto detail industry through a private contract. Currently, Vaughn House employs 25 clients with disabilities who provide auto detail services for Leif Johnson Ford and custodial services for the Texas Departments of Transportation and of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

The Supported Home Living Program provides in-home assistance, training and case management to help clients with severe disabilities live as independently as possible and to their fullest potential in the community. Services range from assisting clients with grocery shopping, cooking, budgeting, and money management/representative payeeship, to helping them access affordable housing and financial assistance, such as SSI and food stamps.

The Day-Habilitation Program accommodates the day programming needs of deaf adults with mental disabilities who are not ready or able to participate in vocational training. Based at Vaughn House’s central Austin facility, this program provides basic social, communication, and daily living skills training and gives clients – most of whom live in group homes or foster care – the opportunity to socialize and participate in arts and crafts, games, and regularly scheduled community outings.