Special Education research assistant professor Ben Schwartzman, PhD, is seeking adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to participate in a peer employment mentorship program between job-seeking adults with IDD and employed adults with IDD. This program is made possible through a grant from the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF).
The Peer Empowerment Network is recruiting adults with IDD over the age of 18 who are unemployed and are looking for a job to receive mentorship while they try to find paid work. The Network is also looking for adults 18+ with IDD who have either a part-time or full-time job and are interested in serving as a mentor to a peer looking for meaningful employment.
Mentor training
Participants who are interested in serving as mentors will meet with other mentors across the U.S. via training classes over Zoom. Once per month for six months, the mentor will meet (either in-person, over phone, or over Zoom) with a peer who wants to find a job. The mentor will share their success story and chat with the job seeker about their job search.
Job Seeker training
Job seekers will participate in virtual job preparation classes led by the Vanderbilt University team. They will meet other peers, talk about their job interests and skills, discuss job supports, and practice how to communicate with potential employers. Once a month for six months, each job seeker will be paired with a mentor, another adult with IDD who is employed. The mentor will share advice on how to get and keep a job, and the job seeker will update the mentor on the job search.
Throughout the entirety of the program, Vanderbilt University research team members will be available to provide guidance and support to mentors and job seekers.
The Peer Empowerment Network program runs now through March 2026. Both mentors and job seekers can receive up to $200 for participating.
For more information or to sign up as a mentor or job seeker, email PeerEmpowermentNetwork@gmail.com, call or text (310) 916-9477, or click here.
