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Career Connections provides students with disabilities the extra training and support needed to become independent and successful in community jobs. The program is a collaboration between local school districts, and U.S. Department of Education-funded transition program operated by Grant Wood AEA, in collaboration with and community-based employment agencies (Advancement Services of Jones County; Goodwill of the Heartland; Optimae Lifeservices in Washington; Rural Employment Alternatives in Conroy; and the University of Iowa’s Center for Disabilities and Development).
Where Does Career Connections Operate?
Four project sites are currently in operation, each of which has created meaningful jobs for students and significantly increased wages:
- Career Connections South serves the Clear Creek Amana, Highland, Iowa City, Mid-Prairie, Solon, Tipton, and West Branch school districts
- Career Connections North serves the Alburnett, Benton Community, Center Point-Urbana, Central City, College Community, Linn-Mar, Lisbon, Marion, Mount Vernon, North-Linn, Springville, and Vinton-Shellsburg school districts
- Career Connections Northeast serves the Anamosa, Midland, Monticello, North Cedar, and Olin school districts
- Career Connections West serves the Belle Plaine, English Valleys, HLV, Iowa Valley and Williamsburg school districts
Who Participates?
Typically, Career Connections students are those who:
- are served in "Self-Contained with Integration" (SCI) programs
- do not plan to pursue a college degree
- need additional training to obtain a job
- but do not require long-term training/support to succeed in the workforce.
What Does Career Connections Involve?
Career Connections staff work with students and school personnel to help students obtain jobs that match their career visions. The program has two elements:
High School Senior Year Element where CC staff:
- meet with students and family members to discuss career aspirations
- conduct interest inventories and other assessments to help uncover possible career directions
- facilitate a Person-Centered Career Planning team process to help students develop a personalized action plan for achieving career goals
- arrange job shadows tied to the career plan, helping students begin to explore career options of interest
"5th Year" Element where students:
- participate in shadows, short-term job tryouts/work experiences to help students refine their career plans
- engage in short-term job tryouts/work experiences to help them refine their career plans
- have 20-40 hour/week paid work experiences and, ultimately, jobs they can keep as they exit the program
- receive job training and other supports
- may enroll in job-related training courses
What Specific Services Does Career Connections Provide?
- Career Planning Assistance. Program staff work with the student, parents and teachers to develop a "person-centered" career goal and plan for achieving that goal. Interest inventories, observations in community settings and one-on-one sessions help
- Extensive work experiences. Students will explore possible careers through job shadows, short-term job tryouts and extended paid internships in community businesses.
- Job coaching/training will be provided to help the student be successful on the job.
- Job placement assistance. Staff will help students obtain jobs prior to completion of the 5th year.
- Off-site Support. Project staff assist students in areas such as travel training, behavioral/emotional counseling, budgeting, linkage with community services (health, housing, medical)
How Does Career Connections Benefit Students?
- More informed career choices through real life experiences.
- Development of valuable work skills.
- Jobs that match student skills, interests and support needs
- Higher wages, More hours,
- Better job retention
- Less stressful transition from school to the adult world
For more information, contact:
Lauri Jennisch
Career Connections
Grant Wood AEA
4401 Sixth Street SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-4499
319-358-6263
1-800-332-8488, Ext. 6263
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