Key Youth Services

Key Opportunities’ youth programs are designed for young people, in and out of school, from the ages of 14-26 to help discover and develop the necessary skills, behaviors, and attitudes needed in order to obtain and maintain employment in a field of their choice.

Available Programs

Vocational Skills

During this year long class, students focus on developing the soft skills, behaviors, and attitudes needed to obtain and maintain employment. Curriculum covers a variety of career paths, disability awareness and pride, adult independent living and students are afforded the opportunity to participate in a variety of job shadows Throughout the year, students also attend field trips around Hillsdale County to speak with local employers about their businesses and job opportunities in those fields.

The Vocational Skills program and Youth Services Coordinator were Winners of the 2016-2017 HCISD Hillsdale County PAC Excellence in Special Education award and have been featured at Incompass’ Re:Con, The Council for Exceptional Children, and Michigan Transition Service Association’s conferences.

JET

Job Experience Training (JET) is a semester long program taking place during the student’s school day at a variety of worksites. Working alongside a full time job coach and experienced retail staff, students are able to learn both soft and hard skills in a supportive environment, taking part in a variety of positions around the store.

Community Work EXPERIENCE

Students who have a career path in mind are encouraged to explore those interests through our Community Work Experience or CWE program. CWE is a more independent program in which students are placed in a paid position at a business that relates to their future goals in order to see what work in their chosen field entails. Job coaches are available to students throughout their hands-on learning experience and provide regular check ins with both students and their hosts.

Community Work Experiences can be held during the school day, after school, on weekends, or during the summer depending on what best suits the student’s availability.

Project Discovery

Redesigned for the 2021-2022 school year, Project Discovery allows students to learn about their personal strengths and vocational interests as well as experience a variety of career options. Hands-on activities in the classroom setting allow students to practice tasks that will be asked of them in the future, spanning several high demand career fields. Once skills are mastered, students will put those skills into action, interning at local businesses.

Senior Jumpstart

Open to all Hillsdale County Students, with preference given to those in financial need, Senior Jumpstart is a three day paid program held in the spring. It is designed to give senior students the chance to brush up on any last minute employability skills as well as apply for jobs in our community in real time; providing support and guidance as well as creating a clear plan for life immediately after graduation.

Admission Criteria:

• High School students.

• Vocationally limited due to physical, mental, and/or emotional impairment

• Conduct not dangerous to self or others

• Basic self-help skills

• Able to work and interact semi-independently with minimal supervision.

• Participant has a desire to work, is motivated, and is trustworthy.

• Authorization of payment prior to the start of services.

For more information about key youth program opportunities, please email Stephanie Stockford at: sstockford@keyopp.org

Workforce Initiative and Opportunity ACT

W.I.O.A.

Becoming law in 2014, the Workforce Initiative and Opportunity Act (W.I.O.A.) is designed to create a more integrated job-driven system to help job seekers access employment, education, training and supportive services. Our W.I.O.A. Youth Program focuses on providing services to in-school youth who are experiencing one or more barriers to employment which helps them to prepare for post-secondary education and employment opportunities, attain educational and/or skills training credentials, and secure employment.

For more information about the W.I.O.A In-School Youth Program, please email Tami Brackman at: tbrackman@keyopp.org