The FCBHC Vocational Program has evolved over the years. Over twelve years ago, the Alaska Rag Company was formed as a job placement for people with severe mental health disabilities. The Alaska Rag Company is the most unique and visible component of the FCBHC Vocational Program.
The mission of the FCBHC Vocational Program is "to assist people with psychiatric disabilities obtain work experiences, explore vocational options and natural supports in the environment of their choice with the least amount of professional intervention." To support this mission, the Vocational Program offers a full continuum of services. They include work readiness, functional assessment, situational assessment, job placement, job sampling, job coaching services, long-term follow-up services and a variety of supports offered in both individual and group settings.
The Supported Employment process focuses on individual community job placements. The Employment Specialist offers ongoing support both on and off the job depending on the needs of the individual. The services offered include pre-employment training, job development, job analysis/modification, on-the-job training, off-site support, employer and co-worker education and support, problem solving and long-term follow up services.
The Alaska Rag Company is an entrepreneurial manufacturing and retail venture of the FCBHC Vocational Program. This environmentally friendly clothing recycling enterprise employs between 15 and 20 trainees, maintains 15 shop rag contracts and manufactures hand-woven products. The storefront also sells art and craft products from over 35 Alaskan artisans. What a customer sees does not tell the whole story. Employed within the block building in downtown Fairbanks are employees with disabilities working together to create hand-woven rag rugs, place mats, tote bags and coasters from donated clothing. Usable clothing is sorted and made available to individuals in need. In keeping with it’s original concept (and namesake), shop rags are cut from donated t-shirts and sold in 50-pound boxes. The products manufactured at the Alaska Rag Company are made from community-donated material collected from two collection bins located in within Fairbanks.
In addition to the artistically created woven products, the merchandise sold is a variety of upscale art and craft creations from Alaskan artisans. All merchandise is made and/or designed in Alaska. While the sorting, laundering and cutting processes take place in the rear of the facility, the weaving is done on looms located on the sales floor at both gift shops. During business hours, the public is welcome to observe and chat with the weavers. The work experience gained by the individuals is designed to allow them to progress into jobs within the community. In contrast to most social services, the Alaska Rag Company is a manufacturing company, a retail store and a creative outlet for employee self-expression.
The philosophy of the Alaska Rag Company is not to simply provide jobs but to serve as a training resource. A tangible benefit of Alaska Rag Company employment is the acquisition of a job history and work reference by the trainee.
Individualized treatment plans are designed to address one or more work related issue. Progress is measured through observation and daily charting of productivity, social skills, and workplace behaviors. Each of these benchmarks is viewed as progress toward the goals stated in the plan. What we cannot express via measurement is the pride exhibited by those who are now among the productive working community. Measurable or not, these people truly feel heightened self-esteem and personal worth.
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Copyright © 2004 - Present. The Alaska Rag Company, all rights reserved.
603 Lacey Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Phone: (907) 451-4401 Fax: (907) 451-4401
Email: info@alaskaragco.com
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