Our Services
Employment for persons with disabilities
Productive Alternatives has been providing employment for persons with disabilities for nearly 50 years. All types of disabilities for persons 18 years of age and older are eligible for services. Services may include, but are not limited to:
EDS — Employee Development Services are generally 30 days in length and emphasize basic employment skills and training. Case management develops an Individual Support Plan, outlining plans for support, employment goals and career preferences.
EPS — Employment Planning Services place a person with a disability in a community work setting, and can initially be staffed by a Job Coach. Employers themselves partner with Productive Alternatives staff to provide work performance evaluation and feedback to assist the worker in gaining long term employment.
Supported Employment — Many persons with disabilities are capable of and desire independent employment. Productive Alternatives can help develop or find such employment for individuals. Supported Employment allows a person to be paid by their employer while receiving short or long term follow up supports from Job Coaches and Case Managers. These supports are developed and implemented with the person's input. Supports can be diminished, terminated or expanded as the person or employer requests.
Contracted labor — Employers in need of short term or permanent contracted labor should contact Productive Alternatives' nearest location to obtain availability and costs to supplement their existing labor force. Once a service agreement is in place, employers can schedule supplemental contracted labor according to their needs and schedules.
Products / Manufacturing — Productive Alternatives manufactures their own 'prime products' as well as contracting for assembly, packaging, collating or re-work needs. Most work is completed by persons with disabilities.
Day Training & Habilitation (DT&H) — DT&H programs serve developmentally disabled individuals, and may or may not include vocational emphasis. Eligible participants must be 18 years of age or older.
Detoxification Services — Productive Alternatives provides a Subacute, freestanding, private non-profit detoxification center for persons 18 years of age or older.
Transit — Transit Alternatives is a public transportation system with wheelchair accessible buses available to some areas of Otter Tail County. Curb to curb services are offered with special care given to children and seniors. Services for users with three and four wheeled mobility aids are available.
Non-vocational services — The non-vocational programs at Fergus Falls Willows and Parkers Prairie provide services which are designed to maintain and improve abilities.