Supported employment & Options
Supported Employment & Options (SEO) applies the same person centered approach and positive practices that Horizons uses across all its services, where people live, learn, work and play. We collaborate with each individual and their team to understand their hopes and dreams and how we can best take steps together to realize their hopes and dreams. We identify support needs, environments, preferences and competencies to establish a foundation for success.
We Go Where Opportunities Knock
SEO is committed to community integration and creating partnerships with local businesses, non-profits and organizations to create unique opportunities that are fulfilling for those we serve and provide benefit and value to our partners. We are based out of the Windham area, and serve communities in Windham, Tolland and New London Counties.
We work with many employers including the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University, Wesleyan University, Coast Guard Academy, Groton Sub Base, Walmart, McDonalds and The Windham Club. SEO offers support seven days a week for those who work non-traditional schedules.
Our Supported Employment Team is focused on helping individuals find meaningful employment, acknowledging the dignity, responsibility and satisfaction of holding a job, earning a paycheck and being part of a community. We work creatively with individuals and their teams through the course of their career, wherever that may take them.
Our Options Team provides the same person centered approach to find activities and engagement of value in non-vocational settings. We provide support that increases skill building through a focus on volunteerism, recreational, educational, health & wellness experiences.
Our Campus Opportunities Team, based out of our campus in South Windham provides specialized support services to individuals with medical and physical needs. This includes accessible spaces, specialized equipment and therapy spaces combined with support from our onsite nursing staff. Our campus is the launching pad for community involvement.
Our Community Opportunities Team delivers support directly in the individual’s home or local community with the goal that supports are fully community integrated. As with all supports we tap into the person’s interests, strengths and talents to further develop skills and competencies. We partner with local non-profits and organizations to create volunteer experiences so the people we serve develop the skills to lead to paid employment.
SEO Team
Paul Rimmer
Director, SEO
Paul Rimmer
Director, SEO
Joe Parla
Associate Director, SEO
Joe has always been drawn to those who offer themselves willingly to help and mentor others. Using one’s time and energy to help others find enrichment in their lives is an honorable profession. He explores art through the medium of photography and especially likes documenting the experiences of others. Horizons is a place where one can have their cup overflowing with meaningful opportunities to do things that matter. He is grateful to have a place among such an amazing collection of givers.
Joe Parla
Associate Director, SEO
Becky Delisle
Associate Director, SEO
Whether tackling a new task, meeting new people or helping to create person-centered opportunities, Becky enjoys working at Horizons where every day is unique. She loves assisting people have healthy, meaningful days that they look forward to and enjoy. For more information about SEO, feel free to call the Horizons main number or explore our website.
Becky Delisle
Associate Director, SEO
Tabitha Knibbs
Associate Director, SEO
Tabitha Knibbs
Associate Director, SEO
Dora Oliver
Associate Director, SEO
Dora’s odyssey with Horizons began in summer of 2002 through a student exchange program that brought her here from Russia to work as a Summer Camp Counselor. She knew that first summer this was the organization she wanted to be a part of. Dora currently works as a Director of Team Englehardt assisting with the day-to-day operations of Supported Employment & Options. She supervises, evaluates, and trains support coaches and managers, and assists in developing volunteering and employment opportunities.
