COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER

Introduction

It is the shared belief that workplace readiness is essential and relevant to the educational experience for all. The Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, several years ago, published recommendations from their task force on Integrating College & Career Readiness. Riverview School adopted those recommendations and aligned their GROW Curriculum and prioritized the following recommendations:

● Incorporate Career Readiness into the school’s Course of Study ● Strengthen School, Employer, Higher Education & Community Partnerships ● Promote the importance of College & Career Readiness for all students

These recommendations serve as an introduction to Riverview School’s College & Career Center. It was created as a place to centralize resources for students to access information as they prepare for the transition from school to adult life. This pathway is paved with exciting options which include further education, training and employment opportunities. While the GROW program provides students with instruction to learn and practice skills needed to increase independence and self-determination, the Center also supports vocational staff and families by providing webinar based information sessions on topics related to transition and independent living.

The Center will be a place where staff meet to foster ideas for creating targeted courses of study in combination with identifying experiential life skills education and authentic community-based work experiences. In addition, web-based information sessions will be set up with Colleges and Post-Secondary Transition Programs to inform students about options for further education & training. Students and their families will learn about adult living programs both on Cape Cod and in their own communities as they begin to plan for transition from school to adult life. Virtual Job Fairs and job search sessions will be offered and students will be supported in planning their future.

This booklet is a guide to learn more about GROW internships, Project SEARCH, Transition Services at the high school and GROW as well as providing an overview of Transition Planning. Information on businesses that have employed alumni and a list of Inclusive Postsecondary Education & College Programs are found on the last two pages. For more information on the services, information and programs offered please contact:

Kathy Titus, Director of Vocational & Transitional Services, [email protected] ​ ​ ​ Kerry Macurdy, Work Experience Coordinator, [email protected] ​ ​ ​ Stefanie Patterson, Project SEARCH Coordinator, [email protected] ​ ​ ​ Kyle Merrill, GROW Academic Coordinator, [email protected] ​ ​ Ann Phelan, Transition Specialist, [email protected] ​ ​

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Internship Program

Internships and Job Training

Internship Business Partners

Project SEARCH: Transition-to-Work Program

II. College & Career Center

Transition Services

Career Development & Planning

Career Seminars

Vocational Counseling

College Counseling and Tutoring

Transition Planning Process

Training Opportunities

III. Alumni Employers

IV. Colleges/Inclusive Post Secondary Education

I. Internship Program

The Internship Program is designed to guide students through career development by providing opportunities, leveling instruction, matching abilities/interests, and developing foundation skills. Foundation skills are common to all jobs and should be reviewed as the framework upon which specific workplace and careers skills are added. Community based internships are offered in health & wellness, food service, hospitality, retail, landscape/maintenance, animal care, child care, elder care, and communication/media. All GROW students participate in community-based internships. ​

Internship and Job Training Program

Career Exploratory Job Training I Job Training II

Exploratory for first year Job training for second and third Increased job training for students year students second and third year students.

Internships: 2-4 hours per week Internships: 5-8 hours per week Internships: 8-15 hours per week

Job Coach Supported: 1:4 Ratio Job Coach Support with fading Increased hours to build stamina as skills develop

5 Rotations with assessments on Increase natural supports Mentor training with Job Coach Foundation Skills support

Explicit Instructions and Resume and Career Portfolio Student directed employment ongoing guidance development meetings

Quarterly reports Employment Meetings and Career Seminars Counseling

Reflections and Interest Career Seminars Discussions

First year students explore different career pathways through experiential learning in community internships and on campus work practicums. Focus is on building foundations and transferable skills. Second and third year students receive job training in community based internships in an area of interest and ability. Students continue to build a level of independence on foundation and transferable skills.

Internship Business Partners

Community business partners provide employment consultation, guidance, and experiential learning. Research and best practices for future employment outcomes are discussed and utilized in classroom education, hands on training, and work immersion. ​

Community Business Partners

99 Restaurants MSPCA Café Riverview Sandwich Hollows Golf Course Cape Heritage Rehabilitation & Care Center Sandwich Public Library Cape Media Center Sandwich TV Cape Wildlife Center Second-View Thrift Store Chatham Bars Inn Shawme Animal Hospital Dan’l Webster Inn TJ Maxx Decatur House Assisted Living West Parish Family School DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels YMCA of Barnstable Heritage Museum & Gardens Home Goods Marshalls

Campus Jobs Cafe Riverview Second-View Thrift Store Breakfast Café Karen’s Kitchen Stark School Store Helmsman Cafeteria Processing Center

Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program

The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique business-led, one-year employment training and preparation program. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations.

The goal for each program participant is competitive employment. To reach that goal, the program provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent-living skills to help Riverview Students make successful transitions to adult life. The Project SEARCH model offers an extensive period of skills training and career exploration, innovative adaptations, job-coaching, and continuous feedback from teachers, skills trainers, and employers.

Since its inception, Project SEARCH has grown from a single program site at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to a large and continuously expanding international network of over 300 sites within healthcare and other industries such as insurance, banking, museums, zoos, colleges and government. Ninety percent of Riverview students who ​ ​ successfully complete the Project SEARCH program acquire competitive employment.

Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program

Cape Cod Hospital Falmouth Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Center

Dietary Call Center Emergency Center Clerical Emergency Center Housekeeping Food Services I & II Housekeeping Human Resources Housekeeping Human Resources JML Care Center Inpatient Physical Therapy Information Systems Materials Management Outpatient Physical Therapy Materials Management Nursing Maintenance Medical Affiliates of Cape Cod (MACC) Nutrition & Food Services Pediatrics Medical Records Operating Room Nursing (IV, Pediatrics, Maternity) Outpatient Rehab Nutrition & Food Services Pharmacy Occupational Health Radiology Outpatient Rehab Sterile Processing Pharmacy Radiology Sterile Processing

II. College & Career Center

The Center and its services are designed to support students in their vocational and educational programs as they begin transitioning from school to adult life. Students learn self-advocacy, ​ self-reliance, and self-determination skills through structured activities in integrated settings. The program model aligns services with student development, interest, and aptitude to prepare students to reach their full potential. Participation in GROW enhances student outcomes following graduation. As students move through the different phases of the program, a variety of services are provided in order to guide and support them as they transition to the adult community.

TRANSITIONAL SERVICES Transition planning provides a framework for students and families to consider future goals as they design a plan for aging out of school services and pursue eligibility for adult services. The transition planning process collects information about the student’s aspirations, strengths, preferences, and interests as they relate to the demands of current and future living, learning, and working environments. Student involvement in the transition process is paramount as each individual is supported in their own self-determination.

High School Transition Activities

High School Juniors High School Seniors GROW Information Fair GROW Information Fair Job Tours GROW Exploratory Rotations GROW Student Panel Project Search Student Panel Self-Determination Assessment Self-Determination Assessment GROW Job Fair GROW Job Fair

GROW Transition Activities

GROW GROW GROW Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Service Planning Meetings Transition Meetings Transition Meetings Career Exploratory Rotations Job Training: Community Internships Project Search/Job Training Transition Seminars Transition Seminars Transition & Future Planning Interest Inventory/Reflections Employment Meetings Employment Planning Meetings Vision Statements Life Scripts Career Portfolio

CAREER DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING Students participate in a variety of activities, training, education, and experiences to develop career preferences and competencies. During the career exploration stage of growth, students develop a self-concept, and a general understanding of the world of work. Through education and counseling students learn about foundation skills necessary to transition into the work environment. Students experience and discuss various career fields and work to establish future goals, keeping in mind aptitudes and abilities.

CAREER SEMINARS Seminars focus on, but are not limited to, resume development, interviewing skills, job search techniques, and career information. ​

VOCATIONAL COUNSELING Students receive individualized guidance and feedback on work performance quarterly. Data is collected based on work experiences and the student’s program is adjusted based on needs, preferences, performance, and productivity. ​

COLLEGE COUNSELING AND TUTORING Cape Cod Community College - Mainstream Classes: Students who demonstrate requisite literacy skills ​ have the opportunity to take the Academic Readiness Test (Accuplacer) and participate in mainstream ​ ​ college courses.

Study Skills Class: Instructional support is provided for students taking mainstream college courses. ​ ​ ​

Project Forward: A separate vocational program offered through classes at Cape Cod Community ​ ​ College. (https://www.capecod.edu/projectforward/) ​ ​ ​ ​

Post-Riverview College Placement Services: Finding the next step after Riverview requires research ​ and planning. Riverview’s college placement services provide resources supporting the student’s ​ pursuit for continuing education. The Riverview team assists with recommendations, documentation, and interviewing skill building sessions.

Alumni College Support Services: Students who choose to continue their education at Cape Cod ​ ​ Community College after graduating may continue to receive college study skills support through Riverview School for their classes as they transition into the community.

TRANSITION PLANNING Riverview School’s transition services include planning and implementing a coordinated set of activities. This results-oriented process includes vocational training through integrated internships; continuing educational opportunities; building independent living skills through community participation; and coordination with adult services. Students are supported in their pursuit for self-determination and goal development as they prepare for adult life. Successful transition planning includes linkages to the agencies and individuals that assist students in reaching their transition goals. Riverview School’s Transition Team identifies and collaborates with state and local agencies and adult programs that support students and their families by offering an individualized approach to transition ​ planning.

Families and students have an opportunity to explore adult program options and plan for the future by attending Riverview School’s Transition Weekend in the spring. These events, in collaboration with support from Riverview’s Transition Team, provide the framework for successful outcomes after Riverview School.

STAFF TRAINING Community Partners: Mentor training is presented at various work sites. Topics included Riverview’s ​ program goals of developing students’ communication skills, interpersonal skills, work ethic, and professionalism. The presentation concludes with guidance for employers related to topics, such as differentiating learning styles, effective ways to provide feedback to interns, and checking for understanding. The goal is to develop stronger relationships with community partners while building competencies in community business mentors working with GROW students.

Job Coach Training: Orientation and training are offered yearly on topics, such as communicating ​ ​ expectations, leveling instruction, meaningful task development, reasonable accommodations, skill acquisition, social development, data collection, and workplace culture. Other topics include how to complete observations, deliver effective feedback and set achievable goals when working with students.

III. Alumni Employers

Amazon Prime for Whole Foods Market, Lake of Isles Golf Resort, Foxwoods, CT Newtonville, MA Laurentide Assisted Living, Mashpee, MA Apothecare Pharmacy, Hyannis, MA Marbridge, Austin, TX Artis Senior Living, Branford, CT Market Basket, Sagamore, MA Bar Harbor Inn, Bar Harbor, Maine Marshall’s, Hyannis, MA Bed, Bath & Beyond, East Hampton, NJ Marshall’s, Plymouth, MA Bed, Bath & Beyond, Hyannis, MA Mayflower Convenience Store, Plymouth, MA Billy Beez, Kingston, MA Mercy Hospital, Charlotte, NC Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA Mirbeau Inn and Spa, Plymouth, MA Cape Cod Hospital, Hyannis, MA Motor Vehicle Administration, Easton, MD Cape Abilities Farm, Dennis, MA Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT Cape Codder, Hyannis, MA North Shore Medical Center, Salem, MA Cape Abilities Thrift Store, Yarmouth, MA Opportunity Works, Vernon, CT Centerplate, Mashpee, MA Osterville Hardware Store, Osterville, MA Christmas Tree Shop, Hyannis, MA Panera, Plymouth, MA Cottage Gardens, CT Regal Cinema, Hyannis, MA CVS, Centerville, MA Roche Bros. Supermarket, Mashpee, MA Daily Paper Restaurant, Hyannis, MA Roche Bros. Supermarket, Wellesley, MA Decatur House Assisted Living, Sandwich, MA Royal Nursing Home, Cotuit, MA Dollar Store, Plymouth, MA Smart and Final Online Grocery Store, Los Double Tree Inn, Hyannis, MA Angeles, CA Eastern Connecticut State University, Smiths Medical, Keene, NH Willamantic, CT Sodexo Food Service, Woods Hole, MA Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital, Worcester, Starbucks, Newton Center, MA MA Stop & Shop Bakery, Hyannis, MA Falmouth Hospital, Falmouth, MA Target, Hyannis, MA Fancy’s Farm Market, Osterville, MA Trader Joe’s, Hyannis, MA Gateway Art, Brookline, MA UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester, MA Holiday Inn, MD Walgreens, Newton, MA HomeGoods, Hyannis, MA Wellesley College, MA HomeGoods, Mashpee, MA West Parish Family School, West Barnstable, John Carver Inn, Plymouth Mass MA John F. Kennedy Museum, Hyannis, MA YMCA of Barnstable, Hyannis, MA Kings Specialty Food Market, Livingston, NJ YMCA, St. Michaels, MD KMART, Hyannis, MA Koko Daycare, East Hampton, CT

IV. Colleges & Inclusive Post Secondary Education Programs (Graduates have attended) ​ ​ Cape Cod Community College, Project Forward ​

Bridgewater State College, Excel Program ​

UCLA, Pathways Program ​

Lesley college, Threshold Program ​

Middlesex Community College, Transitions Program ​

Texas A & M, Achieve Program ​

Landmark College

Mitchell College

National Louis University, Pace Program ​

Berkshire Hills Music Academy

College of Charleston, Reach Program ​

College Internship Program

College Living Experience

George Mason University, LIFE Program ​

University of Cincinnati, TAP Program ​

Ohio State University, TOPS Program ​

Quincy College

Massasoit College