The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Participants will discuss how someone in AmeriCorps obtains positions and loses them, finding out that it can take months to be fired. Employers are less likely to fire, as well, because they cannot replace the AmeriCorps volunteer for the duration of the service year if trouble arises. This means they are more willing to work with someone; less prone to get rid of someone lacking in 'soft skills'. An AmeriCorps position can even be a good place to learn some of those 'soft skills', making a person more employable for future work. A person benefits by day to day being there at the worksite, practicing working for a whole year, not just a short trial period. Regular trainings are also made available trough AmeriCorps and through the host site where the individuals are serving. After the first year, a person can apply for another year, up to five years in AmeriCorps Vista and up to five years in AmeriCorps State.   

This will be a benefit to professionals, because an AmeriCorps serving for the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council will address the history and structure of AmeriCorps, how to apply, and why serving in AmeriCorps can benefit people with ASD.