August 2008

High School/High Tech: ICI Helps Prepare Students for Tomorrow’s Jobs

To succeed in 21st century careers, young people need opportunities and experiences that reflect the changing nature of technology. In many high schools, however, students with disabilities are less likely to get these opportunities and often enter adulthood with limited employment options. In response to this, the Institute on Community Integration (ICI) has partnered with Minnesota’s Pathways to Employment Project to promote careers in technology for over 75 Minnesota youth involved in a demonstration project called High School/High Tech (HS/HT).

HS/HT is a national network of state- and locally-operated programs that provide young people with disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or further education leading to technology-related careers through numerous academic and career development experiences and resources. These programs help youth with disabilities make informed decisions about their careers and their futures. HS/HT works closely with schools, colleges, community organizations, and local employers to ensure that all youth have the supports they need as they transition to adulthood.

In April 2007, ICI’s Joe Timmons launched HS/HT in Minnesota and ICI colleague Ann Mavis joined him on the project last fall. They are now the state coordinators of HS/HT, which is a collaboration between ICI, Minnesota’s Pathways to Employment project (a partnership of the Minnesota Departments of Human Services, and Employment and Economic Development; along with the Minnesota State Council on Disability), and the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth. Highlights of their work include:

• Developing curricula, supporting faculty, and strengthening community supports in the Fridley Public Schools during 2007-08 and again in 2008-09.
  
  
• Developing curricula, supporting faculty, and strengthening community supports in high schools in Buffalo and Monticello in central Minnesota and several schools in Anoka County, beginning September 2008.
  
  
• Building relationships with community partners such as Medtronic, Unity Hospital, and Cummins Manufacturing, using e-mentoring and other activities to provide an entrée to work experiences for youth with disabilities.
  
  
• Supporting Minnesota's Pathways to Employment manufacturing camps for students with disabilities held at Anoka Technical College and Wright County Technical Center this summer. These camps offer many youth their first exposure to these types of jobs through hands-on experience in welding and other manufacturing tasks, plus opportunities to listen to guest speakers and take plant tours.

"I can see that the students really enjoy the curriculum, most of which is in work readiness, financial literacy, and adult living," Joe says. "Because many students with disabilities spend so much time on remedial academics, HS/HT activities provide developmental opportunities essential for transition-age youth in work and social settings."

High School/High Tech is funded by a three-year, $5 million Medicaid Infrastructure Grant through the state's Pathways to Employment Project, with additional support from the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor.

FFI about HS/HT, contact Joe at timm0119@umn.edu or (612) 624-5659.