WHAT IS THE
TEENWORKS PROGRAM?
TeenWorks is a
short-term voluntary employment program that helps adolescents aged
sixteen to eighteen secure meaningful work. Unlike an employment
agency, we work to help teens overcome employment barriers. Such
barriers might include difficulties in managing there behavior, poor
academic achievement and a limited work history. The program offers
a range of employment services including job club, work assessments,
work adjustment, vocational testing, job development, job placement
and job coaching. The TeenWorks program also works in conjunction
with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) in order to help
older adolescents obtain the necessary training and education needed
to fulfill their career goals.
WHAT CAN I
EXPECT FROM THE TEENWORKS PROGRAM?
The goal of the
program is to help you identify your employment barriers and secure
part of full time competitive employment in an area of occupational
interest to you.
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At the first
appointment, staff will explain the employment program to you
and, if necessary, complete a more formal mental health
assessment. Following the completion of the program paperwork,
which includes a signed liability disclaimer, an employment
services checklist and release of information forms, the
Director or Social Worker will schedule a second appointment to
complete your Individualized Career Assessment.
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During the
Individualized Career Assessment, we will discuss your current
and future employment goals. We will review your
academic/employment history and learn more about what is the
best work environment for you. Emphasis will be placed on what
stressors at school/work might trigger your behavioral
problems. If appropriate, we will also introduce you to the
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. BVR is a state-funded
agency that could potentially help you to finance additional
training or schooling in order to help you achieve your
employment goals.
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If you are
unsure of your employment goals, the Employment Department has
numerous self-tests including the Job Search Attitude Inventory,
Barriers to Employment Success Inventory, and the Self-Directed
Search. A licensed social worker will score your tests and
review the results with you.
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If you are
not utilizing any other services at The Counseling Center, the
final step prior to being assigned to your Employment Services
Specialist will be to complete your Individualized Service
Plan. This plan will determine both the specific and general
behavioral and employment goals that we agree to work on
together.
HOW CAN
TEENWORKS HELP ME?
The TeenWorks
staff will work with you for a period of up to six months in order
to help you obtain employment. Once you have become employed, we
will provide supportive services for a period of up to nine months.
After this period of time, your intervention will be considered as a
success, although you may reenter services if you experience
difficulties in the future.
WHAT WILL MY
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES SPECIALIST DO FOR ME?
Your assigned
Employment Services Specialist’s role is to provide job development,
work adjustment, work assessment, and job coaching for you. It is
important that you attend all scheduled meetings with your
Employment Services Specialist so that your job search will be
successful.
HOW CAN I MAKE
MY JOB SEARCH SUCCESSFUL?
You will need to
participate in the following services as designated by your
Employment Services Specialist.
Job Club: Job Club is a job readiness skills course that will help
you to develop a resume, prepare for interviews, and give you the
opportunity to interact with other teens who are also looking for
work. Job Club meets for two hours once per week for a six-week
period of time. It is mandatory that you attend at least four out
of the six classes. Failure to do so may result in our
discontinuing your involvement in TeenWorks.
Job Development: Your Employment Services Specialist will help you
to make employment contacts in the community by helping you to fill
our applications, offering you job leads, and providing assistance
with your resume.
Work Adjustment: Work Adjustment provides an opportunity for teens
who have not worked or who has a limited work history to spend a
period of time (one to two months) learning specific employment
skills in a competitive work environment.
Work Assessment: Work Assessment is similar to Work Adjustment
except that we will be specifically assessing your social,
emotional, and skill level for a period of up to three weeks.
Job Coaching: Your Employment Services Specialist will provide
either on or off-site job coaching in order to acclimate you to your
new work environment and maintain your job. Job Coaching consists
primarily of providing the additional support needed for you to
handle difficulties that might in the work place, especially those
that might involve your coworkers or supervisor.
Remember the
TeenWorks program is dedicated to helping you overcome those
barriers that are preventing you from obtaining and maintaining
employment, but the motivation to work and the desire to succeed
must come from you!
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