Pre-Employment Programs

Starbridge’s Community Pre-Vocational Service is a 100% community-based, small-group program designed to support growth towards employment readiness.

Our counselors get to know every participant and provide an active and engaging experience. Groups have no more than four participants at a time, and individuals rotate groups and counselors during the program. Participants experience a variety of community settings each day year-round.

We believe in Employment First. Our goal is to support you in developing the skills you want and need to get the job that is right for you. Contact us today!

Referral forms for Care Managers:

Starbridge Internship Program

Starbridge’s Internship Program is a great way for youth and adults to gain work experience! If you are a job seeker and have eligibility through NYS ACCES-VR, you gain 160 hours of paid work experience in a career that interests you. If you are a business owner or manager, you get the opportunity to try out a potential employee through a structured intern experience – at no cost to you!

To learn more about the Starbridge Internship Program, contact Jeff Diekvoss at 585-224-7261 or jdiekvoss@starbridgeinc.org.

Looking for supports on the job?

Starbridge Employment Counselors can provide job coaching on or off the job site. Counselors can also develop and assist with implementing workplace modifications to facilitate success on the job. Long-term employment support can be helpful when job responsibilities change, when promotions occur, and when management and supervisors change.

How do you get started?

For individuals seeking job placement or job supports, please start by contacting your local ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation) office or attending an orientation session at ACCES-VR. The schedule for orientation sessions for the Rochester District Office is available here. ACCES-VR staff may be able to refer you to Starbridge for Employment Supports.


For businesses looking to hire

Hiring people who have disabilities is good business. Research indicates employers report equal or better safety records, turnover and absentee rates, job performance ratings, job assignment flexibility, and equal amount of supervision for employees with disabilities, compared to their peers without disabilities. Click here to read a study on the economic impact of workers with disabilities.

Starbridge Employment Counselors work to provide a bridge between businesses looking to hire qualified employees and job candidates well-suited for those openings.

Business owners or managers can expect our Employment Counselors to provide dependable referrals, support the new employee in adjusting to their job and social environment, and work to help the employee achieve independence and proficiency over time.

For businesses looking to hire, please contact Ursula Nicholson, Director of Employment Services, at 585-224-7342 or email unicholson@starbridgeinc.org.