District 202 and Joliet Junior College Student Work Training Open House

STUDENT WORK TRAINING OPEN HOUSE
A District 202 and Joliet Junior College Partnership

Date: February 4, 2005 Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM Location: Joliet Junior College Room J0006 Activities:         10:00: Tour of the Work Training Sites and observation of the students (optional)         11:00: Lunch begins in Formal Dining Room of JJC (J0006)         11:45: Presentation and Awards

Please RSVP to Cindy A. Fischer at: cfischer@learningcommunity202.org

The following is background information regarding the Cooperative Job Training Partnership between District 202 and Joliet Junior College. This is a very exciting opportunity for students that could make an interesting story. For more information, please contact Program Coordinator Cindy A. Wagner Fischer at (815) 436-3200 X 1050 or
cfischer@learningcommunity202.org

Program Objectives

• For students to gain the needed workplace skills necessary to secure paid community employment and to secure paid community employment once skill development has occurred
• To provide a variety of on-the-job training experiences which provide
  occupational skills training in an extended and varied site format
• To prepare students for the work force by teaching them both specific and
  generalized occupational/vocational skills
• To assist students with the career decision making process by providing hands
  on opportunities in a variety of career areas
• To identify and implement needed accommodations/adaptive devices to complete
  vocational tasks in accordance with ADA Law
• To ease the transition into the college setting for students planning to attend
  college
  

General Program Description
Students work in a variety of departments throughout the Joliet Junior College campus. They are placed in departments based on their interests and abilities. The students begin with entry level skills while working with a Job Coach. At the training facility, the job coach monitors employability traits and evaluates the students daily in the areas of quality and quantity of work completion. Job tasks are analyzed and students are taught step by step
procedures for completing tasks. Once the students master the skills, they move on to higher level tasks, and eventually work independently with a JolietJunior College employee and onto paid community employment.

Students attend vocational classes at his/her high school where work skills are taught and reinforced in a classroom setting. Students travel by bus to and from all Plainfield District 202 high schools to approved training sites to receive training through observation and hands-on experiences. Students are graded on their performance, and receive high school credit for successful completion of the program. A summer school program is also available to students. The length of the school-to-work experience will be determined on an individual basis. Work training occurs during the students' school day, which is necessary for compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor.

As a means of maintaining and improving program quality, the program coordinator and the job coaches have brief daily meetings to discuss assignments and pressing student issues. Team meetings are held weekly to discuss coaching methods, analyzing tasks of the students (breaking them down into step by step procedures), discussing department issues, addressing student issues and assignments, etc Initial training of job coaches included an
orientation session as well as observing and working with other job coaches. Coaches and coordinator have attended seminars.

Program History and Development
The program began in the spring semester of 2002 with approximately 4 students and 5 departments. The program has grown to 23 students currently participating and 16 departments. The program was modeled after a similar program at Silver Cross Hospital. Participation on the part of the departments was strictly voluntary and steady growth has occurred due to the success and positive nature of the program.

Student Entrance Criteria
Student's entrance into the program is based on his/her goals and individual needs. Students must show progress in basic skills such as: the ability to follow basic directions; complete tasks of multiple steps; basic hygiene; manage a basic schedule; request assistance; ask directions.

Student Exit Criteria
A Student exits the program once an area of personal interest has been identified; he/she has reached a semi-independent or independent performance level and has secured paid community employment.

Program Future
This number is expected to continue growing with an estimated maximum capacity of fifty students at the JJC facility. Our district and special populations department continues to grow as well. The program has recently expanded into educator training as well. The process of incorporating the program into Joliet Junior College's Education Department began this fall.