The Illinois Department of Human Services has awarded MERS/Goodwill a contract for $186,500. The contract will provide Supported Employment services for individuals with the most significant disabilities in St. Clair and Madison Counties as well as more rural areas including Monroe, Randolph, Clinton and Jersey Counties. Effective July 1, the contract is expected to place up to 50 new clients into employment in the next year though MERS/Goodwill’s recently available services such as Supported Employment (SE) assessment, SE job development, SE job coaching and retention support.

MERS/Goodwill has an existing agreement with the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide vocational rehabilitation and development services to individuals faced with barriers to finding and retaining employment. The State of Illinois recognized MERS/Goodwill for surpassing the required number of successful client placements through the Vocational Development agreement. This is the second consecutive year they have surpassed contract requirements and were granted an amendment this year for additional funding to reach more individuals in Illinois. MERS/Goodwill will also be hiring two full-time SE Employment Specialists, one full-time Employment Specialist and several part-time job coaches to take on new case referrals.