Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What services do Paragon's work service programs provide?
A. Paragon's work service programs provide a variety of employment placement, training and paid work-related experiences.

Q. What is the age range for people seeking services at Paragon?
A. Paragon's youngest workers start at 16 years of age. Paragon serves people of any age as long as they can still benefit from our services.

Q. Where does money come from to run the agency?
A. About 70% of our funding is derived from government funding, 20% from local program fees and 10% from special agency events.

Q. Where do the people Paragon serves come from?
A. Paragon's workers come from all over the United States, but primarily from communities in the Midwest. Paragon also provides day vocational programming to people who live residentially in some of the other ORP family of companies, as well as people coming from the surrounding counties and school districts.

Q. How did Paragon get started?
A. The history of Paragon is one of vision, and planful growth and development. In the late eighties, Paragon was a very small operation, primarily serving children and young adults living at Oconomowoc Developmental Training Center. There were few services for children and adults with disabilities in the western Waukesha County area. Struggling to find vocational options themselves and spurred on by a growing community need, Paragon had to come up with a solution. Paragon's mission became to develop and provide day vocational programs for people needing such services. Over time, Paragon systematically grew and developed an array of services and programs that now provide a wealth of vocational and work opportunities to people with disabilities. Paragon now serves over 120 people throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

Q. Does Paragon accept contributions?
A. To make a donation or charitable contribution to help support Paragon's work, please contact Rick Block, Director, at rickblock@paragon-wi.com.