32-2024 Pre-Employment Transition Services Initiative (summer) ALFA Camps
Project Description:
The 3- week-long 'Adventure for Leadership and Fulfilment with Access (ALFA) Camps tobe known as 'ALFA Camps' will be an expansion of the Black Hills Special ServicesCooperative (BHSSC) model developed pre-Covid and using OYATE models of success withtribal participants. This model included providing instruction in self-advocacy, informationabout vocational rehabilitation services and workplace readiness. ALFA Campers dares todream beyond just obtaining a job but to hold gainful employment that provides theopportunity for leadership and fulfilment. We want our ALFA Campers to not only beworkplace ready and to explore jobs and careers, but we want them to know they can earn aliving that is fulfilling. Joining these two models will address those values through a provenmodel of success. Based upon surveys done in 2016 with those identified as disabledhighlighted the need access information about services available and for social connections.This curriculum will pay special attention to ensuring students and their families are awareof where and how to receive services that will assist them with their personal vocationalgoals. 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 Circlehas initiated several partnerships with various programs and agencies. ALFA Camperplans to expand the summer camps with additional resources and opportunities tostreamline services to the target populations of youth with significant poverty, disabilityrates and designated as underserved. Utilizing various partners interested in these ALFACamps will include Tribal VR, Tribal College's and other disability service programs thatwant to expand their impact to our target youth population. This partnership plan throughALFA 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 theRFP... 'The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which includes theRehabilitation Act, prioritizes opportunities for Pre-Employment Transition Services (PreETS) to be provided to students with disabilities'... ALFA will include professionals, familymembers, and most important individuals with disabilities as participants and trainers asappropriate. We intend to serve the 4 Tribal communities specific to the needs of thatparticular community. Some may or may not have a Tribal VR program and will need torelay on South Dakota State VR services and Pre-ETS supports to help with participationand guidance. Some may be in leadership positions within their Tribal disability programson reservations. We will accept participants that represent several disability focusedprograms including: High School Disability Services, Tribal College Counselors, Tribal VRprogram staff and other disability focused service program in and out of Indian Country.Measurable outcomes will include pre and post training surveys, dissemination data andinterview data with participants, students and family members. Faculty and students willbe included as participants, trainers and inclusion with curriculum development for the 3training sessions to ensure appropriate application of the training content that includes:Job exploration activities on and off reservation(s); workplace readiness training todevelop social skills through independent living philosophy; training and practice for self advocacy skills; college exploration and opportunities for Tribal College and off reservationuniversities with potential site-visits and presentations from college personal (consultants);information about Vocational Rehabilitation services on and off the reservation and otherprograms (i.e. Oyáte Circle) available to assist individuals with disabilities. Banking,budgeting and money management will also be a critical component for the youthparticipants which will come from impoverished communities.
Keyword(s):
Indian, Reservation, Tribal, High School Employment, VR, South Dakota
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Employment-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
