Learning Opportunities Quality Works providing opportunities, support for people with disabilities

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The mission of Learning Opportunities Quality Works, Inc (LOQW) is to positively impact the lives of people through support, advocacy and connection to resources in 14 counties in northeast Missouri.

LOQW has offices in Hannibal, Monroe City, Shelbina, Macon and Kirksville. It supports people with disabilities in gaining and maintaining employment based on the needs of the person.

In a press release, Wendy Hays, executive director of LOQW, said, “We’re really just so proud of all our life programs. Our primary services are advocacy, connection to resources, employment and technology.”

LOQW provides people with disabilities the ability to gain and maintain the employment goals of their choice. Learning Opportunities Quality Works Inc is a United Way of the Mark Twain Area’s Community Impact Agency and receives financial support each month from the annual United Way campaign.

One of the programs LOQW provides to people with developmental disabilities is the YES (Youth Exploration for Success) Program, which is designated for people up to the age of 26. It offers both employment and community integration to its participants.

Missy Johns, director of Employment and Community Services said, “We recognize that there are many students or young people who are not able to work 40 hours a week. Someone may come into our YES program, and they might work, let’s say six hours a week. We might support them on their job for those six hours and then the rest of that week they’re doing other things with us to help build their social skills, developing more employment skills.”

Some days participants may volunteer with community organizations. They may have time designated to exercise which teaches them leisure skills. Other days participants may be cooking or budgeting. They may be learning new ways to use technology, or they may be playing games which teach them a variety of skills, including social skills. The YES program is individualized to each participant.

Johns said, “We serve over 140 people out of our Hannibal office, and we try to individualize those services for every single person.”

LOQW also participates in the BEST (Basic Employment Skills Training) Program offered to juniors and seniors at Hannibal High School. LOQW partners with Hannibal Public Schools, Marion County Services for the Developmentally Disabled, County Connections and Gamm, Inc. Currently LOQW has a staff member at Hannibal Regional Hospital and at Douglass Community Center supporting the students who are working at those sites through the BEST program.

Rhian Farrier, Community Life Engagement supervisor in Hannibal says LOQW’s goal is “really helping everyone soar. That’s been our motto: Success, Opportunities, Acceptance and Respect. It’s helping everyone thrive and get out and about in their communities so they can live independent lives and the life trajectory they want.”

During the summer, LOQW partners with Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation to provide a work program for local high school students to gain job employment experiences. These part-time jobs are paid positions for high school juniors and seniors who have IEPs or 504s. The six-week work experience program pays students minimum wage, with the funding provided by Vocational Rehabilitation. These students learn tools on the job site such as communication, teamwork and employment skills.

Last year, 54 students worked at 13 different job sites. LOQW provides oversight and supervision by hiring coaches at each site to assist students. The job coach positions are perfect for a college student, a teacher or paraprofessional or someone looking for seasonal employment. The job coaches provide mentorship and support for the high school students who participate.

LOQW employs 80 to 100 staff members throughout the 14 counties they serve with more employees in the summer due to the summer work programs. They offer an apprenticeship program for their DSPs (direct support professionals), which includes 150 hours of coursework and an on-the-job journeyman. The apprenticeship is a year-long process, and each DSP receives a certificate of completion from the state of Missouri. LOQW offers a career ladder for staff members to reach DSP II and III levels.

If you or a family member would benefit from the services LOQW provides, you can learn more by visiting www.LOQW.com or their Facebook page @LearningOpportunitiesQualityWorks.