Participant Handbook

Welcome
We welcome you to the Career Connections Program, designed to “help today’s youth enter tomorrow’s workforce”!  The Career Connections Program is a collaborative effort between Grant Wood AEA, Goodwill Industries of SE Iowa, Advancement Services of Jones County, Rural Employment Alternatives, and the University of Iowa’s Center for Disabilities and Development.  The Career Connections Program is funded by local school districts, with support from Grant Wood AEA.  There is no charge for Career Connections services to qualified students or their families.

This packet is your guide to participation in the program. In it, you will find a description of what Career Connections will do for you and your responsibility to the program. What we’ve tried to do is give you answers to questions you might have about the program. Please review this material with your family and school staff, contact us if you have questions, and enjoy being part of this exciting project.

What Will the Career Connections Program Do for Me?

Career Connections is a program designed to help you obtain a satisfying career. Career Connections begins in your senior year of high school and continues through and the following year. During that time, you will work with Career Connections and school staff to:

identify a career goal that is tailored to your interests, skills and needs

participate in work experiences such as job shadows and work experiences

receive on-the-job training for up to one year beyond high school through a paid internship

enter the workforce with a job in which you are likely to succeed

Who can be a Career Connections?

You can be a Career Connections if you meet the following requirements:

You qualify for Special Education services and have an IEP.

You have transition goals in your IEP specifying a desire for competitive employment after high school.

You are likely to need assistance identifying a specific vocational goal.

You are likely to need short-term, community based, on-the-job training beyond high school to achieve your career goals.

For more detailed information, please refer to the Referral Considerations checklist on this website.

How Will the Career Connections Program Help Me?

Think of Career Connections as a road map for helping you find, learn and keep a job that is just right for you. There are five stops in that road map:

Person Centered Career Planning
Person Centered Career Planning is a process that will help you define your job interests and skills.  You and a Career Connections staff member will spend time completing some questions and computer inventories to help you define your job interests.  Then, you will work with staff to identify the people important to you in helping you define and reach your career goals.  We will gather those people together to complete your person - centered career plan.  That plan will outline your skills and strengths, your career goals, and how we will reach them.  Periodically, throughout your time in the program, we will gather those people identified to review how we are doing.

Job Shadows
After your plan is completed, we will set up opportunities for you to see and explore businesses in the areas of your career interests.  Job shadowing involves you and a Career Connections staff visiting businesses, watching staff do their job, and asking the staff questions.  This will help you get a better feel of the jobs you are interested in, and it is a risk free way to see if you might like that type of job.

Work Experiences/Job Tryouts
By now, you have probably participated in one or more work experiences through your school.  We will provide you more opportunities to do this, especially if you haven’t worked in the career you are interested in.  This again, is a risk free way to see what the job is all about and to see if it is right for you.  Work experiences usually involve working 1-2 hours a day or week in a business learning more about it and sampling the tasks required in that job.  Work experiences last only for a few days or weeks to allow you to get a taste of what the job is all about.

Internships
Finally, you will participate in an internship.  Internships are work opportunities that provide on-the-job training and experiences.  Internships can last a few weeks to several months depending on the employer.  They can be full time or part-time.  The goal is for the company to pay you for the work you do.  If that isn’t possible, you may be paid through Career Connections funds.  Career Connections staff will work with you and your school district to make sure you have transportation to and from your internship.  Career Connections staff will also support you through job coaching to be successful in your internship.

Getting A Job
After you complete these steps, if you don’t already have a job (sometimes internships can turn into permanent employment), we will help you find a job in the career of your choice.  We will also support you by providing job coaching for this job. Coaching involves a Career Connections staff member helping you learn your new job.  They can also help you ask for accommodations you might need on the job.  Best of all, they help your employer and supervisor understand how to support you in being successful on the job.

Will I have a job before I complete my senior year?
While some students may achieve this goal during their senior year, the majority will likely spend that year developing a career goal and participating in job shadows.

What Is This 5th Year Thing?
During your Career Connections 5^th Year, you will receive on-the-job training through paid internships.  You will not spend that year at the high school unless you and your IEP team determine that you could benefit from particular courses offered there. Career Connections staff will keep in contact with you at locations other than school, such as in businesses, staff’s offices, your home, or other meeting places in the community. 

Do I need to take any classes at my school during the 5th year?
If you have fulfilled all of your graduation requirements then you do not need to take any classes during your 5^th year.  If you and the rest of your IEP team think that taking one or more classes is a good idea, then you can take classes at your school during your 5^th year.

How much time will I spend doing Career Connections activities during my 5th year?
Each student will move through the Career Connections program at their own pace.  Most students will be doing some type of Career Connections work related activity at least an average of 10 hours per week during your 5^th year.

Do I Have to Stay In the Program an Entire 5th Year?
No. Some students may only need a few months during their 5^th year to learn the skills needed to enter the workforce. Others may need 9 months or more.  Students may exit the 5^th year program element any time the IEP team determines that it would be best to do so.

How Does the Career Connections Program Affect My Graduation?
Toward the end of your senior year in high school, you and your IEP team will decide if you wish to participate in the 5^th year program element of on-the-job training. Should you decide to continue for a 5^th year, you may participate in your high school graduation ceremonies as scheduled.  Since you are not technically graduating, your school may be required to date your diploma according to when you have your special education exit staffing. 

How Do I Successfully Complete the Career Connections Program?
You can successfully complete by meeting the following criteria:

You will have met the goals of your Person – Centered Career Plan and completed all the action items within the plan.

• You will have met the goals in your IEP.

• You will have been successfully employed for at least 30 days in your job.

• Your job will match the career vision developed in your Person – Centered Career Plan.

• Your planning team, your IEP team, and you will feel that you have successfully met your goals for employment.

Is It Possible that I Might Not Complete the Career Connections Program?

Yes. Career Connections may not be for everyone. From time to time there may be students who don’t successfully complete the program.  Students may not complete the program for several reasons, including:

You decide that this program is not for you.

Not following the student responsibilities as outlined in this handbook.

Career Connections staff and your team determine that your employment needs are greater than the program can support.

Career Connections staff will work with you and your team to determine if an alternative to the program should be considered. As a member of the IEP team, you will be part of this decision making process.

Is It Possible to Quit the Career Connections Program?
Yes. Should you decide you aren’t happy with or no longer wish to participate in the program, you should let your Career Connections staff or your teacher know.  That way, we can try to find out what we can change to better meet your needs.  If you still feel like it isn’t working, we will gather your team again.  This will allow us to inform them of your decision and to help provide you with resources that may help you achieve your IEP goals.  Our job is to help you succeed.  Career Connections staff will do this in a dignified and respectful manner, even if our program does not meet your needs.

What Are My Responsibilities to the Program?

You will be responsible to show up to meetings, appointments, and work on time.  You will be responsible to call if you cannot make it to any meetings, appointments, or work.  You must call your Career Connections staff if you need to cancel a meeting or appointment.  You must also call you employer if you cannot make it to work as scheduled. You will be responsible to inform staff of other meetings or appointments that may create conflicts with Career Connections activities. You will be responsible to complete any assignments or paperwork asked of you.  You will be expected to complete them in a timely manner. You will be expected to actively participate in your person - centered career plan.  You will be asked to give your input and honest opinions.  You will not be allowed to sit back and just agree with everything the team decides. You will be expected to be an active member in the job search process – completing applications, participating in interviews, and other tasks to help get you a job.  Career Connections staff will support you with these tasks, but will not do them for you. When in a work experience, internship, or job, you will be expected to follow the rules of that business and follow the direction of your supervisor.

What are the Career Connections Staff Responsibilities?

Again, Welcome!
We are excited to have you in the Career Connections program.  We look forward to helping you find the career of your dreams!

Additional Information

The following topics are valuable information for you as you participate in the Career Connections Program. 

Who is eligible to participate in the Career Connections Program?
IEP teams are asked to refer students who meet the following criteria for Career Connections services:

The student qualifies for Special Education services and has and IEP.

The student has transition goals in their IEP specifying a desire for competitive employment after high school.

The student is likely to need assistance in identifying a specific vocational goal.

The student is likely to need short-term (e.g., 6-12 months) of community based, on-the-job training beyond high school to achieve his or her career goal.

The table below provides guidelines to assist IEP Teams in referring suitable candidates to the Career Connections program.

Consider Referral to Career Connections if:	Consider Alternatives to Career Connections if:
Referral to the Iowa Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for time limited assistance is being considered	Referral to County/DHS long-term support is being considered Postsecondary education with minimal support is being considered
The student learns best through hands-on, functional experiences The student learns through modeling/ demonstration and verbal directions	The student learns best through discussion or academic investigation The student learns best through extensive physical guidance
The student is enrolled in special education courses and/or modified general education classes	The student is enrolled in adapted or non-adapted general education courses
The student performs tasks without assistance following short-term training	The student requires ongoing assistance to perform tasks despite lengthy training
The student expresses an interest in program participation	The student is opposed to program participation

The Career Connections program not to discriminate against participants on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or disability in its program decisions and activities.

What if I have a complaint about the Career Connections Program?

You or your parents can talk with Career Connections staff at any time about any concerns or complaints you may have.   If you feel your concern or complaint has not been resolved after speaking with Career Connections Staff, you can contact your high school to file a complaint or grievance.  Unresolved concerns or complaints will follow the grievance procedures used in the IEP process.  You can obtain a copy of those procedures by contacting your high school or Grant Wood Area Education Agency and request a copy of the Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents.

Can I be Assured that any Medical or Personal Information I Provide Staff will be Protected?
All Career Connections staff is required to protect the information you and your family provide the program.  Career Connections Staff adhere to strict policies on confidentiality and privacy of personal and medical information you provide.  This information will not be shared with anyone other than Career Connections Staff without your written consent (and parent/guardian written consent if the student is under the age of 18.)  When you begin the High School Career Connections Program, you will be asked to sign a Authorization and Release of Information form that will outline with whom Career Connections Staff may share information.  At that time you also will be given information on how we specifically store and protect any health information you provide.

What is Harassment ?
Harassment is any unwanted, intimidating, hostile, or offensive action that singles out a person to the person’s objection or detriment because of race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or personal characteristics. Harassment also includes actions by any employee that are intended to interfere with or impede the proper performance of another employee’s job duties.

Some examples of discriminatory harassment include, but are not limited to the following:

Verbal abuse or ridicule.

Unnecessary physical contact.

Interference with an employee’s work by improper action such as threats, intimidation, or improper inducements.

Offensive sexual flirtations, advances, propositions, intimate physical contact or display of sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or gestures.

Retaliation against an employee for some previously taken actions.

Demanding favors (sexual or otherwise) for employment, promotion, transfer, or any other term or condition of employment.

Each employer will have specific policies and rules about how to handle harassment and discrimination.  All students participating in the Career Connections Program will be expected to follow their employers’ policies regarding harassment and discrimination.

What if I am Harassed at Work?
If you find yourself being harassed at work you need to report the incident to your supervisor as soon as possible. If you do not feel comfortable talking with your supervisor about the incident, contact your Career Connections Staff.  They will help you talk with your employer and follow your employer’s policies and procedures for reporting and dealing with such incidents.

What is Workplace Violence?
Employers are committed to maintaining a safe workplace environment that is free from violence.  Workplace violence is any behaviors that jeopardize the safety of yourself or others at work.

Some examples of workplace violence include, but are not limited to the following:

Severe disruptive behavior involving physical, sexual, or verbal harassment.

Theft or damage of other employees’ property or the company’s property.

Use of alcohol or drugs or being intoxicated while at work.

Deliberate or careless violation of safety rules.

Carrying into the employment site a weapon and/or any item that could be and/or intended to be used to inflict bodily harm or used to intimidate.

Each employer will have its own policies about what defines workplace violence how to handle such situations. All students participating in the Career connections Program will be expected to follow their employers’ policies regarding workplace violence.

What if I Witness (or am involved in) a Situation that is Considered Workplace Violence?
If you find yourself being a witness to, the victim of, or involved in any other way with a violent situation at work you need to report the incident to your supervisor as soon as possible.  If you do not feel comfortable talking with your supervisor about the incident, contact your Career Connections Staff.  They will help you talk with your employer and follow your employer’s policies and procedures for reporting and dealing with such incidents.

If you have any specific questions about your employers’ harassment or workplace violence policies, please talk with your Career Connections Staff.  They are more than willing to help you understand these policies and how they affect people at work.

Career Connections Staff will:

gather information for conducting a person-centered career planning process.

lead or facilitate your person-centered career planning meeting to help you develop your career goals.

provide you career counseling and information to help you build your awareness of their capabilities and employment opportunities.

develop job shadows, work experiences, internships, and job placements for you.

provide on-the-job training to help you learn the details of your job and provide follow along support to ensure your success on the job.

assist you with developing transportation opportunities to help you to get to and from work.

connect you to resources in the community that might be available to you.

assist you in accessing training through your employer or the community that might be of benefit to you.

provide time limited wage subsidies for internships when program funds are available and employers cannot pay you.

participate in your IEP and provide documentation to the school as needed to outline progress toward you goals.