·    To provide trained staff and services required by persons labeled as having an intellectual disability to assist them with self-employment goals that include earning an income and becoming valued contributing members of the community;

 ·    To provide business coaching, training and mentoring in the placement of persons with intellectual disabilities in gainful self-employment;

·    To develop and deliver programming that increases knowledge, awareness, relevancy, and application of entrepreneurial skills among people with intellectual disabilities;

·    To advance public education about the benefits of self-employment and entrepreneurship for persons labeled as having an intellectual disability;

·    To establish and operate a resource library pertaining to entrepreneurship, persons with intellectual disabilities, and organizational effectiveness;

·    To provide information and guidance, upon request, to other parents, parent groups, schools, and similar nonprofit/charitable organizations regarding our programs and services;

Additionally, CAPRE will:

 ·    Assist individuals and their unique support network to determine the appropriateness of entrepreneurship as a preferred occupation;

 ·    Assist individuals and their support network through an opportunity identification exercise designed to select the specific venture that most contributes to the abilities, personal goals and objectives of the individual;

 ·    Assist in identifying and gathering the necessary resources needed to develop and operate a self-sufficient unit. These resources include:

1. Business development and advisory expertise;

2. Physical and emotional support;

3. Business infrastructure (administration, facilities, human resources, etc).

While CAPRE may directly provide some of the above resources in the developmental stages, the aim is to identify and make available the best possible resources throughout the greater community. It is expected that each venture will be developed and empowered to identify and include the specific resources necessary for them to achieve the highest level of self-sufficiency.

CAPRE does not provide financial support to participants or their businesses nor contribute towards payment of expenses other than the cost of delivering its own programs and services.

    The nature of the relationships within each business entity is such that a high degree of dependence and interdependence exists. CAPRE has the ability to make provisions for accommodating back- up support as it relates to physical and emotional support. CAPRE may, in emergency or extenuating circumstances, provide such support.

The primary consideration for business development is self- actualization. It is expected, however, that the business venture will have sufficient financial viability to contribute to its own maintenance and growth, including the network and structure that has been created to support it.

    Steps to Implementation:

1. Individual expresses interest in becoming a CAPRE entrepreneur.
2. CAPRE facilitates decision-making process to explore self- employment.
3. CAPRE facilitates opportunity identification and selection.
4. CAPRE facilitates business- planning process.
5. Business entity is formed with appropriate resources and support.
6. Business entity becomes operational with appropriate contingency plans for permanent and long-term business viability.

While it is a primary function of CAPRE to facilitate the development and growth of the individual business entities, it also provides an important community development function. Outcomes of this community development function include:

• Ensuring that the individuals and the business entities CAPRE supports become legitimate participants in the business and social community.

• Ensuring that sufficient resources are available from community partners and the community at large to support the individual businesses in achieving self-sufficiency.

CAPRE also recognizes the responsibility for the development of appropriate paid support for each business. It is a function of CAPRE to develop and deliver professional development programs directed toward the training of supportive coworkers that provide both personal care and business development services to individuals with intellectual disabilities.