Photo courtesy UVMHN.
Vermont Business Magazine After gaining extensive experience creating programs in Seattle to help students with disabilities transition into the workforce, John Boyd came back to Vermont in 2019 to develop a similar model at U-32 Middle and High School in Montpelier. He established the U-32 High School Transition Academy and began working to form partnerships with local organizations, including Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) in Berlin.
“You talk about starting a program from the ground up; I’m digging a hole for the foundation,” says Boyd.
The program was immediately enticing for CVMC Volunteer Services Manager Julia Page. “When John approached me about it, I thought, ‘Wow, this sounds amazing and could be a win for everybody,’” Page says.
The Transition Academy at U-32 is a results-oriented program focusing on improving the academic and functional achievement of local Vermont students with disabilities. The program aims to facilitate their movement from school to post-school activities and provide connections to postsecondary education, integrated employment, including supported employment, and continuing adult education through the Washington Central Unified Union School District.
Transition services are designed for young adults with a disability who continue to need special education services outside of a 9th to 12th grade setting to meet their unique post-secondary transition goals.
With support from leadership at both organizations, a partnership was formed to foster community-based job training and education for students through observational and volunteer experiences on-site at CVMC. As part of this initiative, the student and U-32 job coach enroll as CVMC volunteers, and designated staff provide training and ongoing direct supervision. The U-32 job coach offers support until students gain sufficient skills and knowledge to volunteer independently.
Rose Gingras recently completed the two-year program as a volunteer at CVMC’s Woodridge Rehab & Nursing. The experience helped her land a job in a similar facility.
“I spent most of my day at Woodridge. I also like that it gave me job skills, and I met new people,” Gingras says. “I liked what I was doing because everyone was very thankful and always said hello.”
Two more student volunteers, Shea and Chris, are at CVMC, and both Boyd and Page are looking forward to expanding opportunities for even more students. There is certainly interest at CVMC. “I’ve noticed that as people see the students thriving, they’ll say, ‘Look at the fun that department is having. Can we have a student in our area too?’” says Boyd.
CVMC and U-32 are committed to providing opportunities for students to gain independent living skills, social skills, employment, and self-advocacy in real-life settings and participate in age-appropriate community activities. The important part of the program is gaining skills, but employment opportunities are common.
“My goal is never for an organization to feel like they must hire the students. That is not my goal. I tell the students, ‘I’m not training you to work at that job. I’m just trying to teach you to work.’”
For Shea, the program has met her post-high school needs. “I wasn’t ready to go to school after I graduated and wanted to get some skills and work experience so I could get a job,” says Shea.
The experience provides benefits for both the student and employer. Chris, who has been a part of the program for the past two years, has enjoyed his time training at CVMC. “I wasn’t sure I would like it at first, but I found the work to be fun, and I know how to do more things around food service.”
The staff Chris works with have learned new skills as well.
“Chris has been a welcome addition to our service team,” says Frederick Girard, CVMC Director of Nutrition & Food Services. “In addition to another set of hands, Chris challenges his team to prioritize, delegate, and teach. The team must exercise good communication and proper teamwork skills while they share their workday with him.”
“It’s an incredible opportunity to have high school students from the local community volunteering alongside our staff, offering real help in these challenging times of workforce development,” Julia says.
Source: 4.4.2024. The University of Vermont Health Network. UVMHealth.org
