Step 1:  Work Assessment  In the Work Assessment Program, Friendship's Rehabilitation Staff works with adults who are mentally or physically disabled or who have had a work-related injury or illness.   During this time Friendship Staff completes evaluations of each individual's knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors in a real work setting. Employees are also paid for real work during this  assessment period. Then, the decision is made to provide a period of Work Adjustment if also needed, or to review possible employment choices with the Employee, such as Supported Employment with a local business or Extended Employment with Friendship Industries.
	Step 2:  Work Adjustment   Once an assessment is completed, this time-limited program is designed to help each person improve their work skills and behaviors, and to develop a plan for using any identified skills for productive work. Friendship's Rehabilitation Staff works with each Employee to help with the adjustment to a real work environment. Successful completion of the Work Adjustment Program leads to employment internally as an extended employment employee or to placement in competitive or supported jobs in the community.
Step 3:  Extended Employment  One of the choices available to someone who has completed a Work Assessment at Friendship is to become an Employee of Friendship Industries. In Extended Employment, Employees agree on quantifiable, measurable and customized objectives to work on during a specific time period. While Extended Employment (formerly known as "Sheltered") is not generally looked upon as a final outcome for persons with disabilities, Friendship's Mailing, Manufacturing, Packaging and Retail divisions offer the golden opportunity to become a “Graduate Employee.” This entails a promotion to Production Aide status with competitive wages.