Youth Services
We provide three programs that address the needs of persons under the age of 22. They are as follows:
Our School-to-Work program is designed to provide high school-aged students with an IEP (Individualized Education Program) transition into the workplace. Through a vocational evaluation by our licensed psychologist and work done by the student in our workshop, the employment potential of the student is enhanced and assessed. In the workshop students develop vocational and employability skills that help them to successfully transition from school to work. If appropriate, students can also progress to participating in transitional workcrews in the community. Students are paid at piece rate for the work they do in the workshop and at an hourly rate for community work crew. In addition, at the request of the school district, we can provide job development and job coaching. The School-to-Work program is funded by school districts, the Chester County Intermediate Unit or county programs.
The ESY (Extended School Year) program helps students (age 14 to 21) maintain and increase the vocational skills they acquire during the school year. Program activities and dates are customized to meet the mandates of the individual student’s IEP. ESY draws from a full range of career advancement activities, which may include the workshop experience, career guidance, job-related field trips/activities and vocational evaluations.
"Career Directions" is a grant funded program through the Chester County Department of Community Development . This program serves youth up to the age of 21 years who no longer are enrolled in school. “Career Directions” offers assessment, academic remediation, job skill education/training, assistance with job searching and job coaching, all of which are individualized for the person. Participants earn monetary rewards as they progress through the program. There are residency, income and risk requirements for entry into the program. Persons with a recent IEP only need to meet the residency requirement. For more detailed information please call Chris Broome at 610-384-6990 ext. 210. This program is located BCWC in West Chester.
For further information about our Youth Services Program, please
contact
Christine Broome, Director of Employment &
Youth Services at 610-384-6990 ext. 210
or chris.broome@handi-crafters.org
