WESTMORELAND
INTERMEDIATE UNIT
TRANSITION PROGRAM
Program History and Overview
The Work Discovery program, run by the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit #7, was started in 2004. The program assists students who are16 to 21 years old and enrolled in Special Education classes to experience the work environment in a community-based vocational training program.
The program teaches marketable work and social skills to acquire and maintain employment aftergraduation. The focus is to develop jobreadiness and retention skills, cooperation, conflict resolution, and career exploration. Students train in retail support, building maintenance, janitorial, housekeeping, and hotel support services in community settings.
During the student’s final year of school, assistance is given to secure and maintain paid employment in their home community. This process eases the transition from school to work through coaching, behavioral support and mobility training.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit is to provide Resources, Education, Assistance, and Leadership to our community.
PROGRAM GOALS
*To assess the physical and mental requirements for work readiness and vocational training.
*To offer training on identified job tasks in a community setting.
*To experience first hand the work environment through observation and supported experimentation.
*To broaden the knowledge and skill level to students for increased vocational independence.
*To identify the barriers for adult independence.
*To establish the linkage to community services and vocational supports.
*To link work-based curriculum, instruction and assessment.
COMMUNITY-BASED ASSESSMENT
A systematic gathering of information about a student’s competencies, skills, use of accommodations, and other information to determine what course of action needs to be taken to assist the student to obtain and maintain employment. Upon completion of the assessment, a report is written and distributed to all members of the I.E.P. team. This type of assessment is for students with the social and vocational skills acceptable to the general public. For students who lack the social and vocational skills to be in the public, other assessment can occur in an in-school setting.
CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS
The Work Discovery program’s success is measured by the number of participants who graduate from high school, proceed to employment orfurther training atanother post-secondary education.
Post school placement into community employment has happened with Giant Eagle, Wendy’s restaurants, Four Points by Sheraton, Kmart, Wal-Mart, USI maintenance services and Sam’s Club.
WORK DISCOVERY PARTNERS
Clairview School
JCPenney Corporation
Four Points by Sheraton
Christian Layman
Greensburg Hempfield Library
Humane SocietyWestmoreland County
World of Value (WOW)
BishopConnareConference Center
Our Lady of Grace Parish
American Red Cross
McDonalds and King’s Family restaurant
WESTMORELAND INTERMEDIATE UNIT
102 EQUITY DRIVE GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 15601-7190
(724) 836-2460
WORK DISCOVERY OFFICE
PHONE: (724) 836-2460 Ext.2359
JOB COACH MENTORS
Ms. Mary Petrina
Ms. Lyn Marchwinski
TRANSITION COORDINATOR
Ms. Christine Fiorina
(724)836-2460 Ext. 2332
JOB COACHES
Ms. Emily Dolecki
Ms. Cindy King
Ms. Heidi Miller
Ms. Susan Shuster
(724) 836-2460 Ext. 2358
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK