A Burnaby firm has helped more than 5,000 clients with mental or behavioural disorders since 1990.
CBI Consultants Inc. has a mission to help people with disabilities get employment.
CBI stands for "communication behaviour instruction," and it's funded through the Ministry of Social Development, contracts with the Community Living British Columbia and privately, according to its employment specialist.
"We help people gain independence, self-confidence and selfesteem," said Chad Bouchard, CBI's customized employment coordinator, in a phone interview.
"We work with people with disabilities and help them gain real work for real pay employment in today's market."
For the last several years, CBI has also been pairing clients with jobs, such as libraries, offices and grocery stores.
The phases of employment support start at the discovery process, then job development, job site training, fading (the job coach support from the work site), monitoring and crisis support.
"The client comes to us," Bouchard said. "Or we're referred to them by (the ministry). We teach them selfdetermination and that they're able to do more things, giving them confidence and motivation."
The customized employment service fits in with CBI's vision: "A world that values diversity and inclusion is achieved."
Once a client comes to CBI, a consultant such as Bouchard will meet the person, interview his or her friends, family, teachers and assess the person's strengths, weaknesses, and what they want to do. From there, Bouchard will search for the person's ideal conditions of employment.
"We make a point-form list about (the client) and match a job to that," Bouchard explained. "We look around at businesses - and sometimes create positions that take time off others."
Jobs that could be created include tasks such as delivering pay slips, filing and other responsibilities that would otherwise slow down other employees.
"We find out what the ideal job is for them and what they like," Bouchard added. "It improves all aspects of their life."
One 45-year-old client found a position at the Canadian Superstore in customer service.
"I like it, it took awhile to find a job," said Brian Nishi. "I'm really pleased."
Nishi told the NOW that customer service is important to any business and he enjoys the interaction.
"I love it," he said. "I help people out with disabilities, handicapped, people with babies and senior citizens."
Another client was placed at a Burnaby library as his first job ever.
"My experience with CBI was very helpful," Burnaby resident Kevin Reid, 18, said. "I couldn't have gotten where I am today with out them."
Reid had started by volunteering under CBI's encouragement, which eventually led to his job at the library shelving books.
"We're giving people more opportunity," Bouchard added.
CBI was founded by Paul Malette, who has provided "extensive training to schools, families, and support agencies throughout North America," according to the company website.
Although a new website is being built, for more information, visit www.cbiconsultants.com.
