New Program Helps Strait-Area Young People with Disabilities

A one-year pilot project in Port Hawkesbury, announced today, June 13, will help Strait-area high school graduates with disabilities to prepare for full-time employment and independent living.

Participants in the Strait to Work program at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Strait Area Campus will receive training to strengthen employment opportunities, and academic and social skills. The program will run from Sept. 24 to early June 2008 and offer a certificate of accomplishment.

"We will be helping young people with disabilities to prepare for additional vocational training and future employment while providing NSCC students with on-the-job work experience," said acting Education Minister Jamie Muir. "If all goes well, we may be able to explore similar post-secondary programming in other parts of the province."

Students from NSCC's Human Services program will work with the young people and provide ongoing feedback regarding the success of the program.

The departments of Community Services and Education, NSCC and the Strait Regional School Board will share the cost of the $250,000 program.

"This is a great example of what can happen when four distinct organizations expand their boundaries and come together to develop a solution for the people they serve," said Community Services Minister Judy Streatch.

An information session for potential attendees and their families will be held at NSCC's Strait Area Campus on Monday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 208.

Applications will be accepted from people who graduated this year, who will be 18 to 21 years old on Sept. 30, and who had an individual program plan and a transition plan while in high school.

The deadline for applications is Aug. 3. Those accepted will be notified by Aug. 17.

"An NSCC advisory committee will review the applications and select the first round of Strait to Work participants," said Tom Gunn, academic chair, Health and Human Services, NSCC Strait Area Campus. "NSCC is pleased to be associated with this innovative approach to meeting the needs of high school graduates with disabilities."

Programs like this provide an important link for students with disabilities who have met the criteria to graduate, but who are not yet ready for further studies or independent living.

"This initiative will provide new opportunities for eligible students to have a meaningful post-secondary experience that will help them continue their education and prepare for the workplace," said Jack Beaton, director, programs and student services, Strait Regional School Board.

In April, the government announced that it would once again fund a similar bridging program, Access for Opportunities and Employment, for 24 high school graduates with disabilities within the Halifax Regional School Board.

For more information about the Strait to Work program, contact Eileen MacDonald, NSCC Strait Area Campus at [email protected] or 902-625-7152.