What is an 18+ Vocational Program and how does it help my young adult?
An 18+ Vocational program is specialized job training for students who meet certain requirements. Students have to be finished with their academics, have had modified curriculum in high school, and be 18 years or older. These students learn valuable job skills along with the soft skills needed to keep a job. The training takes place at different businesses throughout the community. The program is designed to move students from high school to employment with the support they need to get a job and keep a job.
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What does the 18+ Vocational Program look like?
The school day for the 18+ Vocational Program is 7:45 am to 2:30 pm. The student and/or parents are responsible for transportation to and from internships and campus. If a student needs training to use the GoBus or other available public transportation, we can help with this as well.
In the beginning of the year, students are on campus all day long working on soft skills and budgeting. The students will decide which meals they want to learn and how to make them fit in their budget. The students then find the recipes, grocery shop, and cook on Fridays.
Once internships start, a student will go to work at their assigned internship Monday through Thursday with a job coach. The student will start with the job coach right by their side in the beginning. As the student masters the skills needed for that job, the job coach will back away until the student is doing the job independently. Monday through Thursday, the student doesn't always come to the campus. We have had some internships where the students came to campus only on Fridays, as well as some internships where students came to the campus each afternoon. What determines whether the student comes to campus is the hours of the internship and the needs of the student.
In the beginning of the year, students are on campus all day long working on soft skills and budgeting. The students will decide which meals they want to learn and how to make them fit in their budget. The students then find the recipes, grocery shop, and cook on Fridays.
Once internships start, a student will go to work at their assigned internship Monday through Thursday with a job coach. The student will start with the job coach right by their side in the beginning. As the student masters the skills needed for that job, the job coach will back away until the student is doing the job independently. Monday through Thursday, the student doesn't always come to the campus. We have had some internships where the students came to campus only on Fridays, as well as some internships where students came to the campus each afternoon. What determines whether the student comes to campus is the hours of the internship and the needs of the student.
What happens when an internship is complete?
Once the six week internship is complete, the student walks away with valuable job experience. We ask the companies where the students interned to provide the student with a letter of recommendation. The school takes the recommendation and goes "shopping" for another internship in that area. Sometimes a student's interests and preferences change once they start working an internship. When this happens we adjust the next internship to meet those preferences and interests. The goal is to find the company where the student is happy working and the company is happy with the student. The end goal is the company offer the student a position in the company.
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Types of Job Sites
Job sites will be determined by a number of factors. One of the most important factors for determining job sites is whether the student in interested in working that type of job. For example, if a student wants to work in a restaurant, then the student will have an internship at a restaurant. The could be washing dishes, being a host or hostess, working in the kitchen, etc.
How long do students stay in the program?
The Individuals with Disabilities Act 2004 says students with disabilities can stay in school until they turn 22. This program is designed to transition students from high school to employment. The students complete the program when they are employed or when they turn 22.
This should like something my child needs. What do I do next?
Contact Ms. Fry by clicking on the button below if you are interested in this program for your child.