Program Collaboration Helps Prepare Students for Life after High School

News release from Laguna Beach Unified High School:

Program Collaboration Helps Prepare Students for Life after High School

For more than ten years, the LBHS Workability Program has helped prepare students for life after high school. This program provides services for students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs).  Since its inception, the school-based services include:

• Career assessment,
• Career research and exploration
• Career counseling and guidance
• Development of work readiness skills (resume writing and interview skills training)

A complementary program, the Transition Partnership Program (TPP), is an interagency vocational program.  In its third year at the high school, TPP helps students overcome employment barriers and develop confidence and competence in the world of work.  Student services include:

• Interest and ability testing
• Career counseling
• Development of job seeking skills
• On the job training
• Worksite monitoring and evaluation

The programs are designed and coordinated to provide a range of services and vocational experiences beginning in grade 9 for all students with IEPs. These programs are intended to provide students with a detailed, seamless plan that will help them achieve success in the employment world long after they have exited the high school program.

LBHS Transition Service Coordinator Corey Brown explains, “Transition Services for students help them by providing a support system to set and achieve goals. The collaboration and services offered through our Workability and Transitions Partnership Program helps students determine where they are and where they would like to be. The focus on career exploration, post secondary exploration, and vocational education ensures that students are matching their personal interests with education, jobs and career pathways. All students need guidance and help connecting the dots for options after high school. With Transition Services in place, students should feel informed, confident and prepared for life beyond high school.”

LBHS Workability and Employment Technician Kevin O'Connell agrees, “It is great to be involved in two programs that create real life opportunities for our students. The partnership between the Workability Program and the Transition Partnership Program allows the two programs to collaborate on the services we offer.  This collaboration has been successful in developing a team approach to classroom instruction with an overall objective of reinforcing core curriculum concepts and skills that will lead to gainful employment in the community. The two programs provide comprehensive pre-employment skills and job development for our students in special education who are making the transition from school to the world of work, independent living and post secondary education or vocational training.”