At Community Mainstreaming Associates (CMA), we believe that every individual deserves support and a meaningful pathway to growth. Our programs are tailored to meet each participant where they are, empowering them to dream big and overcome challenges.
Coral Krieger, the Director of Employment & Community Habilitation, leads and manages a wide range of programs: Respite Services, Community Habilitation, Pre-Vocational Supports, and Supported Employment.
Together, these programs form an interconnected journey that enables participants to build confidence, develop independence, and thrive during the many transitions they face throughout their lives.
| Program | Purpose | Support type | Skills developed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Respite (Ages 2-5) | Planned relief for families; added support to supplement school services | In-home support | Early developmental skills |
| Community Habilitation (School Years into Adulthood) | Build life skills outside school environment | One-to-one community-based support | Money management; Interpersonal skills; Real-life scenario navigation |
| Pre-Vocational | Prepare for workforce entry | Group-based training and volunteer experiences | Job readiness; Communication; Time management; Organizational skills |
| Supported Employment | Secure and maintain competitive employment | Three phases: Discovery, Job Development, and Job Coaching | Technical job skills; Interview skills; Workplace communication; Self-advocacy |
Read on to to learn:
- How early intervention through Respite Services sets the foundation for success
- Why real-world experience through Community Habilitation matters
- How CMA creates pathways from education to meaningful employment
- What success looks like through participant stories and community partnerships
Planting the Seeds: Respite and Early Development
For many, the journey with CMA begins with Respite Services, a program that offers relief to families and foundational support for young children, starting as early as age two. Respite provides more than just rest for parents; it’s an opportunity for children to explore, learn, and grow in a nurturing environment.
It’s about giving families the support they need while allowing children to develop skills in a safe, encouraging space.
Coral Krieger, Director of Employment & Community Habilitaiton
Building Skills in Community Habilitation
For many participants, the path forward continues with Community Habilitation (ComHab), where they begin to develop practical skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Unlike school-based learning, which often focuses on structured academic skills, CommHab is about navigating the real world—things like managing money, handling social interactions, and building personal agency.
“Most school is happening just in the school. It’s happening in mock scenarios,” Coral explains. “But with ComHab, these are real life scenarios that they’re working on. The child is actually going outside of the community and learning in real time.”
The program’s one-to-one support model sets it apart. “Let’s say you’re in a school and you have a ratio or you have a teacher that is not your one-to-one,” Coral notes. “This is someone who’s working with you and has your individualized attention. Everything is person-centered. Everything is about you. So there’s a lot of growth to that because it’s very focused.”
While CommHab often begins when participants are between seven and ten years old, it’s not limited to school years. The program can continue throughout a participant’s journey, even as they engage with other services like pre-vocational training or supported employment. There are no restrictions on the types of community experiences available—the program is tailored to each person’s interests and learning goals, focusing on understanding and utilizing local community resources.
Success in CommHab depends heavily on the specialists providing support. “We love a person that has a personality,” Coral shares. “You need to be able to sustain a conversation for very long… You have to be energetic. You have to be creative.”
These specialists must also be resourceful, often finding ways to access community resources and activities without cost, demonstrating skilled navigation of local opportunities.
“This individualized attention means we can tailor each experience to fit the participant’s needs, allowing them to truly engage with their community,” Coral says. “It’s about preparing participants for life beyond the classroom and helping them discover their unique strengths and abilities.”
Charting a Path to Employment: Pre-Vocational Supports
For older participants, the focus shifts to the future: Pre-Vocational Supports help bridge the gap between education and employment.
“We help participants identify their interests and give them the tools they need to pursue those passions, so they can see themselves as contributors in a work environment,” Coral explains. “It isn’t just job training. It’s an exploration of what’s possible, helping individuals determine what kind of work excites them and how they can contribute meaningfully.”
For those ready to take the next step, Supported Employment is a beacon of opportunity. Participants receive one-on-one job coaching that doesn’t just get them in the door but supports them in sustaining fulfilling employment. Coral recounts how, for many, this means tackling the daunting challenges of job applications and interviews with a supportive ally by their side.
Beyond simply finding work—it’s about finding the right work, where participants can use their skills and feel valued.
From Discovery to Development: Making the Right Match
The transition from discovery to employment hinges on CMA’s skilled job developers—business-savvy professionals who serve as bridges between participants and employers. “They have to interface with businesses. They have to advocate for people,” Coral explains. “They’re really going in there and pitching.”
These developers don’t just advocate for individual participants—they build lasting relationships with employers, identifying workforce gaps and demonstrating how CMA participants can fill them effectively. It’s a role that requires exceptional communication skills and an understanding of business needs.
Supporting Success Through Job Coaching
Once placed in a position, participants receive ongoing support from dedicated job coaches who ensure a smooth transition into the workplace. Unlike job developers, these coaches function more like direct support professionals, focusing on maintaining successful employment rather than securing it.
“The job coach is essentially there to tell updates of what’s happening in terms of their role,” Coral notes, sharing the story of one participant who now sees her job coach just once monthly. This participant has grown into such a strong self-advocate that she recently earned employee of the month—exactly the kind of independence CMA aims to foster.
Creating Inclusive Workplaces Through Accommodation
CMA works closely with employers to implement various workplace accommodations that enable participant success. These can include:
- Written instructions for those who process information differently
- Visual supports for various tasks
- Modified break schedules
- Seating arrangements for those with standing limitations
- Assistance with online training programs, including having materials read aloud
- Extended time for completing certifications and training
Expanding Industry Horizons
While retail remains a consistent employment path, CMA is seeing growing interest in diverse fields. “We’re seeing a lot more growth in IT,” Coral notes, “and graphic arts is becoming something that people are increasingly interested in.” The retail landscape itself has evolved, requiring a broader skill set than ever before—from customer service to inventory management to conflict resolution.
Some traditional retail positions now demand mastery of both front-end and back-end operations, point-of-service systems, and inventory management. This evolution has made retail work more complex but also more rewarding for participants who master these diverse skills.
Most partner businesses prove highly accommodating, understanding how to work with job coaches and support participant needs. However, Coral identifies an ongoing challenge in educating new businesses about working with people with disabilities. “That is our biggest barrier,” she notes, “trying to ensure that people are willing to learn.”
Through OPWDD’s employability pledge and their own outreach efforts, CMA continues working to expand their network of inclusive employers. As Coral puts it, “These are people that we’re supporting, these are people that are family to us. So we want to ensure that we are out there in the community really teaching different businesses because we want to support the people that we care for.”
Job Search Success Stories
The heart of CMA’s work is found in individual stories of growth. Coral recalls a participant who initially struggled with social interactions and navigating interview situations. Through dedicated work with her job developer, she practiced different social scenarios in each session, learning how to respond appropriately to interview questions and handle various workplace situations.
“She did it independently. She really grew tremendously from just understanding how to respond, what to do in these types of situations, and kind of allow herself to feel comfortable during the interview process,” Coral shares. After several interviews, each one building her confidence and skills, she landed a position she was passionate about.
Today, she’s become a powerful advocate at her workplace. She communicates clearly, understands and enforces her boundaries, and rarely needs her job coach’s support—seeing them just once a month to share updates about her role. Recently, she achieved a significant milestone: being named employee of the month.
“Everything that she did learn during that skill development session is now something that she uses herself,” Coral notes. “And I think that is the goal for all of our services—to allow for the person to independently navigate these situations. If they need us to assist in any way or to develop skills, again, we’re always here, but we would like for people to be independent at their jobs, comfortable at their jobs, know how to advocate for themselves. And she did that.”
This transformation exemplifies CMA’s ultimate goal: helping individuals not just find employment, but develop the confidence and skills to truly thrive in their chosen workplace.
Partnering with the Community for Broader Change
Creating change is not only about empowering participants but also about reshaping the community itself. Coral explains how CMA partners with local businesses to secure opportunities and educate employers on providing inclusive workplaces.
These partnerships are vital; they ensure that participants who are placed in jobs get supported by employers who understand and value their unique contributions. Coral emphasizes that inclusion is about changing mindsets and creating environments where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Building Specialized Opportunities for Program Participants
Looking ahead, Coral envisions expanding CMA’s impact by developing specialized training programs tailored to specific industries, ranging from office administration to janitorial services to information technology. By offering targeted certifications, CMA aims to make participants even more employable and ready to step into roles that match their talents and interests.
Coral underscores that her team’s ultimate goals go further than employment. They aspire to help participants find sustainable, meaningful careers that they truly can take pride in.
“We want our participants to feel supported in every aspect of their journey, from learning basic skills to thriving in the careers they choose,” Coral shares. “It’s about building a future where there are no barriers—just opportunities to grow, achieve, and shine.”
At CMA, participants are building career confidence, pursuing their passions, and forging new pathways for a brighter employment future.
