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The Outcomes Service

Vocational Services     Staff     Success Stories     What Our Consumers Say     FAQs

Pushing CartThe mission of TLC's Outcomes Service is to enable adults with brain injury, cognitive impairments, neurological and developmental disabilities to reach the highest levels of productivity, independence and inclusion in the community.

301.294.9205 (phone)
301.294.9209 (fax)
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Vocational Services
Vocational Services Individuals with disabilities are entitled to full participation in the community which includes the need and choice to engage in employment, maximize independence, and access community resources. Outcomes provides a variety of services to help achieve these goals. The following programs and services are offered and are funded by the Developmental Disabilities Administration, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and private resources:
  • Supported Employment offers assistance with job placement, job coaching and supports to find and maintain competitive employment.
  • Transition Services assist students with special education needs transition to employment and greater independence.
  • Individual Support Services offers individuals the help needed to maximize independent living skills.

The Division of Rehabilitation Services and private resources provide funding for our Vocational Services Program consisting of:

  • Career Assessment Services (Vocational Evaluation) identifies strengths and barriers to competitive employment as an initial step in the vocational process.
  • Employee Development Services (Work Adjustment Training) offers intensive training in the development of appropriate workplace behavior and skills leading to competitive employment.
  • Community Employment Services (Job Coaching) addresses specific needs to assure successful adjustment to the competitive work environment.
  • Speech-Language Services offer evaluation and therapies as well as unique approaches to enhance communication skills and develop compensatory strategies for the workplace.

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Staff  

Outcomes is accredited by CARF, The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities in the following areas:

  • Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation Services
  • Employee Development Services
  • Community Employment Services

Nancy Amundson, M.S., Director
Staff positions: vocational evaluators, employment specialists, speech-language pathologist, program coordinators.

For additional information please contact Nancy Amundson, Director, at 301.294.9205.

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Outcomes Success Stories
 

Jennifer
On any given afternoon you can walk into TLC’s Early Learning Center (ELC) and Teacher’s Assistant Jennifer will greet you. Her smile and warm personality will make you feel instantly welcome. Jennifer has been employed at ELC since December 2004 and was recently awarded Employee of the Month. She completed CPR and First Fid trainings, and eagerly participates in all continuing education courses offered by ELC. Jennifer’s supervisors commend her positive attitude, enthusiasm for helping children, willingness to offer an extra hand and ability to work on a team. When you observe Jennifer interacting with the children at the Center, you sense immediately that Jennifer has chosen the perfect career path. She is patient, kind and attentive to their needs. In 2006, Jennifer received an award from the Maryland Association of Community Services.

Jennifer’s dedication to service in her community did not begin with this position. Throughout high school, Jennifer volunteered at Summit Hall’s after school program, the Family Service Agency and the Gaithersburg elementary school cafeteria. She continues to volunteer her spare time at Montgomery County Public Schools. As a woman who takes great pride and pleasure in helping children, Jennifer also manages to leave time for relaxation and leisure. She participates in Outcomes’ monthly Consumer Support Group and is an active member of her church community. Jennifer enjoys spending time with friends and riding four-wheelers with her dad.
 

Victoria

After running a successful housekeeping business for six years, Victoria developed a severe arthritis that forced her to give up her business. The physical limitations imposed by her arthritis restricted Victoria’s job options, making it difficult to find work. She accepted a cashier position at a local pharmacy, but the job, much like her previous housekeeping work, demanded long hours of standing. The continual pressure on her joints soon prevented her from doing the squatting and bending necessary to stock the store. She was soon forced to leave the job. As months went by, Victoria remained unemployed, something that both discouraged and depressed her. The situation deteriorated until she had no option but to move into a shelter.

During her stay at the shelter, Victoria participated in a counseling program that eventually referred her to The Treatment and Learning Centers. TLC, recognizing her needs, placed her in The Outcomes Service for career assessment. Given her interests, skills and abilities, as well as the limitations imposed by her arthritis, Victoria set her goals on attaining an administrative position in an office of some sort. Throughout the process, Victoria maintained a superbly upbeat attitude. While her motivation and enthusiasm would have served her well in any workplace her lack of computer skill prevented her from being marketable for an office-job position.

Knowing the disparity between her career goals and her career skills, The Outcomes Service enrolled Victoria in its Employee Development Program (EDS). She started practicing typing skills while becoming more familiar with various computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. In very little time, she gained more confidence and skill in these areas. In addition to exposing her to office technology, the EDS staff also helped Victoria create a resume, practice her interview skills, and conduct an organized job search. Before long, Victoria received an offer to be an entry-level administrative assistant position at the Department of Energy. 

With the help of the job coach EDS provided and the support of her new supervisor, Victoria continued to improve her skills and, in time, became a valued employee. Her renewed financial stability allowed her to move into her own apartment and even purchase a car. Almost more important than her renewed financial stability is Victoria’s renewed self-confidence and self-esteem, her rediscovered sense of utility and purpose, her capacity to feel self-reliant, and her ability to feel able despite the crippling nature of her arthritis.

TLC’s Outcomes Service gave Victoria the resources she needed to recover and achieve. The combination of these resources and Victoria’s determination proved successful: just recently, Victoria accepted a promotion at the Department of Energy.

Ephraim
Ephraim is now 48 years old. On his last day of classes in 1978 as a senior at Sherwood High School in Olney, Maryland, Ephraim was involved in a terrible car accident that killed two people. He sustained a traumatic brain injury which resulted in partial paralysis on the right side of his body and severe language problems. He spent the next four years in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities before returning home.

As a teenager, Ephraim had discovered and cultivated his talent for drawing. His mother said, "He was born with a pencil in his hand. When he was younger, if we sat him in front of a table he would immediately ask for a pencil and begin doodling." Ephraim did not return to his art until 1983, when he was enrolled in an art therapy class at Montgomery College. He had to train himself to use his left hand. With a great deal of determination, he is once again finding joy through his art, and is able to earn money through it as well. He was commissioned to sketch the cover illustration of the program for a horse show in Virginia.

In July 1999, The Treatment and Learning Centers hosted a show of Ephraim's drawings and paintings. It was a lifelong dream come true. Ephraim has participated in the Work Services Program at TLC's Outcomes Rehabilitation Center since 1990, where he continues to develop his artistic ability, work behaviors, communication skills, and cognitive abilities.

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2301 Research Blvd. Suite 110 & 220
Rockville, MD 20850
301.424.5200
TTY 301.424.5203
9975 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
301.738.9691
TTY 301.424.5203
14910 Broschart Road
Rockville, MD 20850
301.251.1369
TTY 301.424.5203