​VALLEYLIFE is committed to supporting the individual goals of each and every one of our members.
Click on the name of a service for more information.

This program provides a safe and healthy home environment for our members. Group homes function like traditional family homes, with up to six adult residents who, along with staff, prepare and enjoy meals together, go on outings, attend events, host engagements and support each other. Our caring and dedicated staff assists residents with all activities of daily living, such as transporting them to medical appointments and other vital services, habilitation, community involvement, training and achieving personal goals.

VALLEYLIFE operates 27 residential group homes located in communities throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. These homes are permanent residences for persons with disabilities and each provides a home environment for 3 to 6 residents. All properties are barrier-free and designed to accommodate the physical needs of those who reside there.

VALLEYLIFE housing is licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Programs (AZDHS) and is monitored by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). Our homes are staffed 24/7 with professional, highly trained employees who support the organization's ongoing effort to encourage independence, improve social interactions and monitor complex medical needs. In addition, each home is equipped with appropriate vehicles to ensure the safe transportation of our members daily.

For more information about our Residential Program, please contact VALLEYLIFE at 602-371-0806.

​The focus in our Adult Day Services program is to provide a safe and productive environment for members of our community in need of support. The day program offers a variety of activities, all geared toward assisting members in achieving their individual goals.

With multiple locations in the greater Phoenix area, VALLEYLIFE provides day programs designed to improve independent living, social and recreational skills, all of which encourage intellectual and social growth as well as increase opportunities for successful community involvement.

Each day program is unique and offers various enrichment opportunities, such as computer training; arts and crafts; physical and speech therapy; fitness and athletics, including Special Olympics events; nutrition classes; community outings and volunteering. This program is customizable to allow members to participate in the activities from which they will most benefit and that they enjoy.

Our centers give primary caregivers the peace of mind that comes from knowing their loved one is not only being well taken care of by trained professionals, but is being provided with many opportunities to remain active and to enhance daily life.

For more information about our Adult Day Services, please contact our Senior Program Manager, Mary Brannoch, via email at mbrannoch@valleylifeaz.org, or by phone at 602-331-2415.

The VALLEYLIFE Vocational Services program supports individuals with disabilities in our community who need assistance obtaining or maintaining employment. We are committed to promoting independence through employment and we believe that job opportunities should be available for everyone who wants to work.

Vocational Services provides support to more than 150 individuals every day in their quest for employment opportunities. Our highly skilled staff offers employment-related services in a supportive setting that encourages independence. Members receive a customized program created specifically to meet their needs.

The Vocational Services program offers a wide range of services designed to help our members navigate employment opportunities, including:

Supported Employment (Job Development & Placement, Support to Maintain Employment)

Supported Employment is an evidence-based practice designed to help individuals with a mental health diagnosis obtain and maintain competitive employment in the community. This method involves job search, development and coaching from employment specialists.

Basics of Supported Employment:

• Services are focused on competitive employment in the community.
• Eligibility is based on member choice.
• Rapid job search occurs.
• Vocational services are integrated with clinical services.
• Vocational goals are based on member preferences, strengths, abilities and experiences.
• Time unlimited and individualized support is provided.
• Benefits counseling is provided.
• Member in the community at a location that is convenient for the consumer.

Supported Employment services are available to people referred by Mercy Care.

For more information please view our Supported Employment brochure or en español

Work Adjustment Training, Job Development & Placement, Job Coaching/Job Support

Work adjustment training assists members in developing or strengthening the following work-readiness skills:

• Completing necessary employment forms.
• Understanding the importance of and maintaining professional hygiene.
• Understanding expectations for attendance and punctuality.
• Learning and understanding job duties.
• Responding to work instructions and accepting direction and supervision.
• Maintaining physical and mental work stamina/pace.
• Managing symptoms or effects of disability, tolerating stress and handling time pressure/multi-tasking.
• Exhibiting appropriate behaviors when interacting with others.

Job development and placement services focus on assisting members in finding and maintaining desired employment in the community. Job development staff works closely with each member to determine strengths, needs and interests in order to obtain and maintain successful employment outcomes.

Once employed, job coaching and job support services are available to promote employment stability and continued success on the job.

These services are available to individuals referred by Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).

Group Supported Employment and Individual Supported Employment

Group Supported Employment (GSE) services provide supervision and support in an integrated employment setting in the community. VALLEYLIFE partners with local businesses to provide GSE opportunities in the following areas: restaurant/hospitality, janitorial services, retail, print shop, warehouse and customer service. 

Individual Supported Employment (ISE) services provide job development assistance in matching members with their desired competitive employment setting in the community, as well as time-limited job coaching supports designed to help members maintain successful employment.
 
These services are provided to individuals referred by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

Partnering with Businesses to Meet Employment Needs

Vocational Services partners with many local businesses and organizations that provide not only employment and training opportunities for our members, but provide quality services to the host business or organization as well. VALLEYLIFE is always looking for new community partners for which we can deliver many high-quality services, such as:

• Janitorial services
• Landscape maintenance
• Restaurant services (e.g., silverware rolling, menu assembly, table setting, general cleaning, etc.)
• Document and printing services
• Shrink wrapping and shipping preparation
• Order fulfillment
• Sorting, kitting, labeling and packaging

We encourage employers to learn more about the benefits of hiring our members. Businesses that partner with VALLEYLIFE can expect to enjoy the following benefits:

• Workforce recruitment of trained, pre-screened and job-ready workers.
• Federal tax credits and cost-saving incentives for businesses.
• Education and awareness training for businesses working with people with disabilities.
• Employment specialists who are there to work with both employers and employees to help meet goals and enhance success.

We are proud of our training and employment partnerships with local employers and value all our strong affiliations with our funding organization.

Ticket to Work

Ready to work but still want to keep your SSI/SSDI benefits?

Ticket to Work is a voluntary, free program for social security beneficiaries age 18 through 64 who want to work. Participants in the Ticket to Work program can enter employment and may continue to receive their Supplementary Security Income benefits and/or Social Security Disability Insurance while they explore work options. There are a number of incentives designed to help participants succeed at work:

• Participants may be able to keep Medicaid/Medicare while they work.
• Participants will be exempt from Continuing Disability Review (CDR) while actively involved in the program.
• Participants have access to individualized support services.
• Participants can try work with confidence, knowing they may be able to keep some or all benefits during the transition period.

Social Security’s Ticket to Work program supports career development for Social Security disability beneficiaries by providing free access to service providers that can assist in all stages of employment transition. VALLEYLIFE is an Employment Network that helps Ticket Holders find and maintain employment in order to work towards financial independence. The Ticket program helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence.

We can help you, too! We can help by:

• Developing an Individual Work Plan that addresses your specific employment goals and needs
• Providing career counseling to help you reach your employment goals
• Assisting with job placement
• Coaching you through the transition back to work
• SSI/SSDI benefits coaching

For more information, see our Ticket to Work FAQ. You can contact us by phone at 602-216-6393 or at tickettowork@valleylifeaz.org

Pre-Employment Transition Services

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) help guide and prepare students with disabilities with skills to successfully select a career path. VALLEYLIFE offers Pre-ETS workshops in the following areas:

• Job Exploration Counseling
• Work-Based Learning
• Counseling on Postsecondary Education
• Workplace Readiness Training
• Instruction in Self-Advocacy

VALLEYLIFE has scheduled classes every week from 1:00 –1:45 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. See attached flyer for more information.Pre-Employment Transition Services Flyer

Eligibility Requirements: Participants must be a student in secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program between the ages of 14 and 22 years of age.

Need more details or want to make a referral?  Call or email Jennifer Baier, Director of Vocational and Employment Services jbaier@valleylifeaz.org or 602.216.6393.

Questions/Contact Information

For more information about our vocational program, please contact Jennifer Baier at 602-216-6393 or via email at jbaier@valleylifeaz.org.

Notice of Health Information Practices: English  |  Spanish 

Through this program, VALLEYLIFE provides valuable support to children and adults with disabilities in the convenience, safety and comfort of their own home. Services give much-needed relief for the primary caregivers and are essential in ensuring that members are able to remain in the home setting in lieu of being moved to a long-term care facility. Employees delivering care receive extensive classroom instruction and hands-on training in a living situation, in addition to member-specific training prior to placement in the family home.

HCBS offers three services:

Habilitation

Outcome-based training that enhances personal skill level in the home or community. Skill training is designed to increase or maintain the individual’s self-help, socialization and adaptive skills in order to reside and participate successfully in his/her own community.

Attendant Care

Provides assistance to attain or maintain safe and sanitary living conditions and/or maintain personal cleanliness and activities of daily living.

Respite

Provides short-term care and supervision, giving respite to the primary caregiver.
 

For more information about our Home and Community Based Services Program, please contact VALLEYLIFE at 602-371-0806.

​Our programs are primarily funded by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (AZDES), the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Mercy Care, Molina Healthcare, Banner University Health and United Healthcare. We also accept private payment for services.

You may contact us for more information about our programs at (602) 371-0806.  For more information about state or federal funding, contact the DES Division of Developmental Disabilities toll free at (844) 770-9500.

Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

Arizona Department of Economic Security (AZDES)

Mercy Care