A Partnership Between the Susquehanna Twp. School District And

Learning for Life Group 1

A Partnership between the Susquehanna Twp. School District and The Arc of Dauphin County

The Susquehanna Township School District is partnering with the Arc of Dauphin County to provide appropriate Secondary Age Transition Services to Susquehanna Township School District students with disabilities who need career development, job training services and wellness activities as a component of their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

Over an eight-week period students will spend a day each week (meeting on Wednesdays, beginning September 11, 2013) in the Career Development Program, learning about work opportunities and preparing for employment. This will include completion of a personal portfolio (resume, cover letters and work samples). Students will learn about their own interests, talents and skills, while visiting employers and learning about employer expectations, appropriate work attire and job responsibilities. Students will need to dress appropriately for work and meetings with employers. Students will be transported in a school district vehicle as a group to various sites, which include: . Career Development Program American Dream Diner Goodwill Industries Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) Humane Society Lowe’s Stauffers of Kissel Hill The Arc of Dauphin County – Harsco Center Computer Lab

Following the eight-week Career Development Program, students will participate one day per week in a Wellness Program for the balance of the school year. The Wellness Program will focus on recreation and leisure activities, community service and life skills. This 22-week program will meet on Wednesdays beginning December 4, 2013. The Wellness Program will provide support to students in their transition goals that include developing and maintaining a healthy and active life style including cooking, nutrition, shopping (educational food pantry), exercise and recreation. The program also includes opportunities for volunteering in various places in the community. Students will need to dress appropriately for physical activity including 3-4 days of water exercise. The classroom teacher or other school district staff member will transport the students to various locations in the community, including:

Wellness Program Camp Sertoma Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA) Channels Food Rescue City Island Climbnasium Central PA Food Bank Nature Center- Wild wood Center Sports City St. Francis Soup Kitchen

1 Target The Meadows Miniature Golf West Shore YMCA

Students will receive Job Training services at The Crowne Plaza Hotel for 27 weeks (meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Tuesday, October 15, 2013). Students will work with Arc of Dauphin County job coaches and employers to learn the specific job responsibilities in various fields of employment. Each student will go through four rotations of six-weeks, and then will choose their favorite area in which to work for remaining three weeks. This will provide each participating student with the opportunity for job training in four different employment sites. Each student will go to the job site twice per week, for approximately half a day, with the Arc of Dauphin County job coach for hands-on skill building in preparation for a job. Students will need to dress appropriately for work and meetings with employers. Students will be transported from the high school to the job site by Arc of Dauphin County job coaches.

Questions and Answers

When will this program be presented to parents and students? A presentation for students and an Ice Breaker is scheduled for Wednesday, September 11, 2013, this will be the ‘kick-off’ for the program and will be held during the school day at the high school.

Parents and students are invited to a meeting at the high school on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 6 p.m. to discuss the program. This will be an opportunity for questions and to hear parents’ thoughts and concerns.

We will need parent permission forms to be signed and will have those permission forms available at the parent information session.

What is the schedule for the program? A calendar of activities will be provided to students and parents at the information sessions noted above.

Who will transport students to the Career Development and Wellness Program? Will there be a change in school transportation? Students will be transported in a school district vehicle through District Transportation from the high school to the Career Development Program sites and to the Wellness Program sites each Wednesday. They will be accompanied on the bus by at least one classroom teacher. On those days, students will report to the high school and their classroom as regularly scheduled. Students will leave from the high school with their teacher to the Career and Wellness Programs. Students will be transported from the Career Development Program sites and Wellness Program sites back to the high school. There will be no change to the student’s regularly scheduled transportation to and from school.

Who will transport students to Job Training sites? The Arc Job Coaches will transport students in Arc vans. They will pick students up at the high school. Students will go to a work site in groups of 2 or 3. There will be no change to the student’s regularly scheduled transportation to and from school.

2 Is a permission form required for students to participate? Yes. Written parent permission is necessary for students to participate in these programs. Both the school district and the Arc of Dauphin County will provide permission forms to parents at the parent information session.

How will students and parents be informed of what to expect each week? A calendar of activities for the school year will be provided to students and parents. Each week a reminder that identifies the program location and the activity for the Wednesday (Career Development or Wellness Program), will be sent home to parents. A schedule for job training (beginning in October) will be also provided. This reminder may be provided by email, based on the parent’s preference.

Are students expected to wear specific attire for these activities? Information on appropriate attire will be shared with students and parents at the initial orientation and information meeting. When visiting employers, appropriate attire for the work setting is necessary.

Are students expected to bring their lunch to the Wednesday programs? Students will need to bring a ‘brown bag’ lunch for most of the 8-week Career Exploration Wednesday sessions. During the Wellness Program, students will cook their own lunch and will not need to bring a packed lunch. Information will be sent home in the weekly reminders.

Why is the school district partnering with the Arc of Dauphin County for this program? The Arc of Dauphin County has recognized expertise in career development and job training for individuals with developmental disabilities. In addition, the Arc has working relationships with many employers and agencies. The school district recognizes the expertise and the community connections of the Arc and believes this will provide appropriate services and benefit our students.

How will background checks for Arc employees and contractors be handled? The school district adheres to Act 114 of 2006, and reviews background check reports for all employees and contractors’ employees, prior to their working with district students. The Arc of Dauphin County will provide the district with access to the original background check reports, and the school district will review those reports prior to the Arc employees and contractors working with our students. The following reports will be reviewed on each employee and contractor: · State Police Criminal History Record (Act 34) · Dept of Public Welfare Child Abuse Report (Act 151) [Child Abuse] · Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) – FBI Report (Act 114)