We Can Work Program
We Can Work Program
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We Can Work Program
We Can Work program is a transition-to-employment program designed to help students with disabilities prepare for and succeed in the world of work. Typically serving high school–age students and young adults up to age 22, the program focuses on building job readiness, independence, and real-world work experience. Services often include career exploration, workplace behavior and soft-skills instruction, résumé and interview preparation, and supported or supervised job placements in the community. Students may receive job coaching, transportation training, and ongoing support while learning to follow schedules, communicate with supervisors, and perform job tasks. The program is coordinated through the special education department and aligned with each student’s IEP or transition plan, with the goal of increasing employability and supporting a successful transition from school to adult life.
Contact: Jennifer Gaulden
We Can Work
The We-Can-Work (WCW) Program provides Students services based work and learning experiences, as directed by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for students with a disability, ages 16 through 21, who are in high school, and either potentially eligible for or recipients of DOR services.
The program consists of short-term placements, either on or off campus. Work experience may include paid/unpaid internships, paid/unpaid employment, summer work experience, work exploration, and job shadowing. Students may participate in more than one work experience placement. The program works to find appropriate job matches for the students’ interests and needs. Work experiences are intended to be temporary placements to gain experience in the workplace. They may also result in the development of any of the following: vocational direction, appropriate work attitudes, ethics, interpersonal skills, speed, and accuracy as well as some foundational occupational skills.
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TCUSD students ages 16-21 with an IEP or 504 plan.
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Hours will vary based on students' schedules and business needs. Students under the age of 18 must follow necessary work permit requirements.
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- Job exploration counseling
- Work-based learning experiences
- Counseling on post-secondary opportunities
- Workplace readiness training
- Instruction in self advocacy.
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Any paid or non-paid work experience activities will:
- Comply with the Department of Labor regulations, including rules for volunteer placements if the work experience is unpaid.
- If it is a paid work experience, the contracting school will be the employer of record
- Students will be paid at least minimum wage
- Students may participate in up to 300 hours of work experience hours
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We are currently partnered with local businesses (restaurants, offices, grocery stores) and organizations as well as job opportunities within our school district. TCUSD will continue to build relationships with local businesses to increase the opportunities for our students.
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Jennifer Gaulden is the Work Experience Coordinator