To: Regional Programs for the Visually Impaired and the School for the Blind

9/28/2017

YTP Community Partners:

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is excited to open registration for our 2018 Summer Work Internship for Transition (SWIFT). This unique program offers young adults between the ages of 16-20 meaningful paid work experiences in a supported environment. SWIFT participants also engage in activities and classes designed to activate and enhance each individual’s sense of self-worth and self-reliance. Participants work with instructors who specialize in travel training, assistive technology, vocational coaching, and pre-employment transition services. ‘The SWIFT Experience’ can provide a participant with the opportunity to build relationships with peers and mentors who are also experiencing disabilities, while they gain confidence and valuable insight into their own future career and/or educational options. This year we will have a maximum of 20 students accepted.

Who qualifies for SWIFT?

To be eligible, a SWIFT participant must be:

16 years of age by June 15, 2018 and no older than 20 years of age
An Oregon resident with disabilities and barriers to employment
Able to work legally in the United States
Motivated to work hard and learn new skills
A current client of VR or interested in becoming a client
Limited job coaching needed

Application Process:

Participant’s YTP Specialist/VRC will submit a SWIFT Referral Form and forward it to the SWIFT Selection Committee for review before January 5, 2018.
The family will be asked to fill a Youth Application and return all the necessary forms by February 5, 2018.
The SWIFT Selection Committee will review the referral and application for completeness.
Each preselected participant will be asked to interview either in person, on the phone, on skype or a combination of modes. In some cases, VR may ask an applicant to participate in further assessments to determine capabilities such as: Travel Training, Technology, Daily Living Skills, Occupational Therapy, or Psychological evaluations.
The SWIFT Selection Committee will notify the applicant/family, YTP Specialist and VRC regarding the acceptance into the program and send information with next steps.

Throughout the application process, the applicant should work with his/her assigned VRC to answer any questions regarding SWIFT. If there is uncertainty about the program, please refer questions/concerns to the SWIFT Coordinator.

Referrals for students are due by January 5, 2018. (Email is preferred)

Completed forms and electronic resume may be returned to:

Email to
Fax to (503) 947-5025
Mail to:

Vocational Rehabilitation

Attn: DHS SWIFT Committee/Lisa Catherwood

500 Summer Street NE E-87

Salem, OR 97301

SWIFT LOCATION INFORMATION

Participants in the SWIFT program are expected to operate independently in complex environments.

This seven-week program (June 23 – August 11, 2018) is designed for participants who have the potential to work predominantly independently in competitive employment without support. SWIFT participants travel to and from their work site on public transportation (without the use of such resources as Tri-Met lift) with appropriate orientation and guidance from the travel trainers.

SWIFT worksites and positions are identified and developed with community partners by VR staff. Most positions will require the participant to work 25-30 hours per week and will pay minimum wage. This is a “real-world” job experience and participants must be prepared to:

Arrive on-time every day
Perform job duties as assigned
Work the agreed upon hours

SWIFT participants will be housed in the Portland State University dormitories in downtown Portland and will receive orientation to the campus and jobsites. “SWIFT Prep” week will begin on June 25, 2018 and continue with additional training throughout that first week. Participants will receive supervision for those hours not on-the-job.

Participants living in the dormitory setting are expected to have at least minimum skills in:

Public Transportation Traveling
Food shopping
Meal prep
Personal hygiene
Cleaning room/bathroom
Doing laundry
Financial management/budgeting.

Each participant must commit to actively engage and participate in all SWIFT activities, classes, group discussions and assignments, including those scheduled for evenings and weekends. Participants must have the ability to take notes and complete assignments during SWIFT Prep, Future prep and for all other agency hosted/sponsored activities.

SWIFT participants will start work on July 2, 2018. Expenses for lodging at the dorm will be fully covered by the Vocational Rehabilitation. Participants will be responsible for meal costs, toiletries, incidental expenses, entertainment, etc. These costs should be fully manageable within the budget of each participant’s work experience paycheck, providing an opportunity to build and hone skills in money management and other aspects of independent/daily living. Note: It can take 2-3 weeks before participants receive their first paycheck; therefore, the first three weeks of SWIFT, participants will be provided a weekly maintenance check to cover their daily living expenses. The participant will be responsible for using and budgeting these funds appropriately (with staff assistance).

Important: Participants must have an established personal bank account that can be accessed by ATM near the Portland State University campus.

Pre-SWIFT PARTICIPANT/PARENT MEETING

There is a mandatory Pre-SWIFT meeting for all SWIFT participants and their parents and/or guardians. Acceptance into SWIFT is contingent on attendance. Information will be provided about the upcoming summer activities and participants/parents will get a chance to ask questions, meet SWIFT staff and fellow participants, eat lunch (sponsored by VR) and tour the dormitory/campus.

Saturday, May 12, 2018 10:00 am - 3:30 pm @ TBD

IMPORTANT: All participants must be accompanied by their parents and/or guardians to this mandatory meeting.

Questions? Concerns? Want more information?

Please contact:

Lisa Catherwood- SWIFT Program Coordinator

503-945-5891

503-330-6436

SWIFT Letter for YTP 2018 1