SELMA – In May, North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) recruited several individuals to participate in a pilot Peer Mentor training for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (I/DD). This pilot class served as a focus group to evaluate the training curriculum and any employment outcomes that resulted from the training.

Brittany Ellis was selected to participate.  She scored 100% on the exam and received a certificate of course completion.  Brittany has attended JCI for over twelve years in Employment Transition, which assisted her in developing skills needed for successful employment. She has progressed from working part-time jobs over the past four years to become a full-time JCI employee at the JCI Thrift Store and Donation Center.

“I am overjoyed to have had the opportunity to participate in the pilot!  This certification will help me to lead discussions with my peers about the topics we studied.  These included Supporting Choices, Ethics and Etiquette, Abuse, bullying & neglect, Self-determination/self-advocacy, Mental health and substance abuse, ADA, and Detecting scams and fraud,” said Brittany. 

This opportunity was supported through funding from the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities and Optum and support and leadership from the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Community Bridges Consulting Group, and Alliance Health.

Interested in Employment Transition Services?  Call 919-743-8700 or visit http://www.jcindustries.com/program-services/intellectual-developmental-disability

This article appeared in The Johnston County Report on 10/17/21.