Some 18 job coaches from the Cobb and Douglas Community Services Boards have earned certification through an on-line course offered by the University of Georgia.

The job coaches create community based employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

“They are on the job with them from a few days to several months,” explained Doug Crandell, Project Employ Director.

Cobb County graduates include Lujan Brooks of Austell; Lizzie-Davis Prioleau, Cora Johnston, Ella Scott, Keith Hudson, Melissa Jones and Diane Worthy of Marietta; Debbie Sleeper of Powder Springs; Jaquie Smith of Smyrna.

Douglas County graduates include Kareem Wilson, Cynthia Boyd Scott, Gail Harris, Doris Smith, Debra Marshall, Teresa Rice, and Larry Sims all of Douglasville.

Also graduating were Michelle Robison, Holly Springs and Dee Daily, College Park.

The self-paced course was taught on-line by two University of Georgia professors over the past year and a half. The professors even met with CSB employees in the Marietta office on occasion. This is the first CSB staff to be certified by the UGA course.

“In the past, job coaches got on the job training. This is like a graduate degree in job coaching,” said Crandell. “This will increase the skills of the coaches and improve the services available to consumers.”

The CSB currently operates a Supported Employment Program as a Project EMPLOY partner through the Office of Disability Employment Policy and received a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provided self-employment and micro-enterprise funding.

The Department of Labor funding, called a Customized Employment Grant, is an innovative program designed to be a national demonstration site. According to Project Director Doug Crandell, the CSB program is one of seven such programs in the nation.

The Cobb & Douglas Community Services Boards provide mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse services to more than 12,000 residents of Cobb and Douglas Counties annually. For services relating to mental health, mental retardation and substance abuse call the Access Center at 770-422-0202.

Doug Crandell – 770-438-5125 ext. 260
Pager 404-650-4334