32-2023 Pre-Employment Transition Services Initiative (summer) ALFA Camps
Project Description:
The 3- week-long "Adventure for Leadership and Fulfilment with Access (ALFA) Camps to
be known as "ALFA Camps" will be an expansion of the Black Hills Special Services
Cooperative (BHSSC) model developed pre-Covid and using OYATE models of success with
tribal participants. This model included providing instruction in self-advocacy, information
about vocational rehabilitation services and workplace readiness. ALFA Campers dares to
dream beyond just obtaining a job but to hold gainful employment that provides the
opportunity for leadership and fulfilment. We want our ALFA Campers to not only be
workplace ready and to explore jobs and careers, but we want them to know they can earn a
living that is fulfilling. Joining these two models will address those values through a proven
model of success. Based upon surveys done in 2016 with those identified as disabled
highlighted the need access information about services available and for social connections.
This curriculum will pay special attention to ensuring students and their families are aware
of where and how to receive services that will assist them with their personal vocational
goals. The next step will be followed by instruction in self-advocacy, workplace readiness,
business plans and job exploration. USD Center for Disabilities through the Oyáte Circle
has initiated several partnerships with various programs and agencies. ALFA Camper
plans to expand the summer camps with additional resources and opportunities to
streamline services to the target populations of youth with significant poverty, disability
rates and designated as underserved. Utilizing various partners interested in these ALFA
Camps will include Tribal VR, Tribal College's and other disability service programs that
want to expand their impact to our target youth population. This partnership plan through
ALFA will initiate 3 one-week training sessions located in their reservation communities.
Participants will focus on youth that qualify for the PRE-ETS category identified in the
RFP... "The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which includes the
Rehabilitation Act, prioritizes opportunities for Pre-Employment Transition Services (PreETS) to be provided to students with disabilities"... ALFA will include professionals, family
members, and most important individuals with disabilities as participants and trainers as
appropriate. We intend to serve the 4 Tribal communities specific to the needs of that
particular community. Some may or may not have a Tribal VR program and will need to
relay on South Dakota State VR services and Pre-ETS supports to help with participation
and guidance. Some may be in leadership positions within their Tribal disability programs
on reservations. We will accept participants that represent several disability focused
programs including: High School Disability Services, Tribal College Counselors, Tribal VR
program staff and other disability focused service program in and out of Indian Country.
Measurable outcomes will include pre and post training surveys, dissemination data and
interview data with participants, students and family members. Faculty and students will
be included as participants, trainers and inclusion with curriculum development for the 3
training sessions to ensure appropriate application of the training content that includes:
Job exploration activities on and off reservation(s); workplace readiness training to
develop social skills through independent living philosophy; training and practice for self advocacy skills; college exploration and opportunities for Tribal College and off reservation
universities with potential site-visits and presentations from college personal (consultants);
information about Vocational Rehabilitation services on and off the reservation and other
programs (i.e. Oyáte Circle) available to assist individuals with disabilities. Banking,
budgeting and money management will also be a critical component for the youth
participants which will come from impoverished communities.
Keyword(s):
Indian, Reservation, Tribal, High School Employment, VR, South Dakota
Core Function(s):
Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Employment-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity
Target Audience:
Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Mulit-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
