Community Based Transition Program (CBTP)

The Program
CBTP is a Diversified Occupations program for students 18-21 years of age who have been identified as having one or a variety of disabilities. The program combines the expertise of Special Education and Career and Technical Education staff to provide participants job and life skills training, and whenever possible, job placement.

The Mission
To prepare students for full integration into the community, with emphasis on employment, independence, and community access.

The Vision
Quality learning occurs in an environment that supports & encourages integrity, personal choice and self-reliance.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the focus of CBTP?
The program focuses on providing trainees a variety
of community-based work, functional academic, and life experiences to help them achieve their goal.

What are the steps for admission into the program?

Step 1: Family and home high school staff complete referral packet, and submit them to CBTP staff
Step 2: Family and CBTP staff schedule a family interview.
Step 3: CBTP staff schedules a trainee interview with the business partner at their site where training is held
Step 4: Student w/a family member completes Reading Free Interest Inventory or The Career Decision Making with staff support.
Step 5: Family/student/staff sign Training Agreement & a Training Plan.

PLEASE NOTE: This process allows open enrollment. However, families/students/high school staff are encouraged to begin this process in January of the student’s senior year.

What do the students, families/ guardian gain through the CBTP?
The program is one means by which students achieve an independent and productive future through:

• acquisition of varied job skills & appropriate work behavior
• timely link up with service agencies
• job search with staff help when trainee is ready
• enter in to higher education through Running Start when possible
• .5 credit per semester upon completion of requirements

How long is the training program?
Training hours last for 5.5-6 hrs. per day. All sites are Monday-Friday throughout the school year. Trainees can participate in the program for up to 3 years with services terminating at the end of the school year the student becomes 21 years old.

Must a trainee remain at one training site?
A trainee may seek or may be asked to extend training time at the same site. They may also request for transfer or be transferred to other sites. The program encourages trainees to move to other sites to learn more skills & experience other work environment. The process of choosing sites considers trainees’ & sites’ needs thus it involves student, parent , staff & business partners’ input.

When do trainees look for paid employment?
When job readiness has been demonstrated for some time, trainee’s job search begins with the help of CBTP job developer. Trainee goes to interview with probable employers who make the final decisions in hiring. CBTP cannot guarantee employment. Employer may request CBTP staff to job coach the newly hired for a couple of weeks.

5 Major Areas of Instruction

• Job Skills Development
• Job Search & Job Retention
• Application of Functional Academic Skills
• Leadership, Self-Development, Self Advocacy
• Life & social Skills

PLEASE NOTE: Trainees need to be aware they also gain job experience at home. House chores equate to jobs. Example: dishwashing, planning work & leisure, doing laundry, etc.

Current CBTP Training Sites

Four P's
Unique students job training and leadership needs can be met through:

Plans     Pathways     Projects     Portfolio

Some expected observable & positive outcomes of 4Ps:

• Improvement in student attendance happens because training is relevant to actual business workplace expectations.
• Parents are better involved because their input and actions are integral part of their trainee’s success.
• Staff, parents & trainees work collaboratively toward the achievement of the same goal.

Essential Academic Learning Requirements
CBTP aligns its curriculum with the EALRs through measurable & applied competencies.

Goal 1: Read, write & communicate in a variety of ways & settings
Goal 2: Apply core concepts/principles of math;
social, physical & life sciences; civics, history, geography, arts, & health fitness
Goal 3: Think analytically, logically & creatively; integrate experience & knowledge to form reasoned judgement in solving problems
Goal 4: Understand the importance of work; how performance, effort and decisions affect career and educational opportunities

5 Goals of Work-Based Learning:

• Enhance motivation & functional academic achievement
• Increase personal & social competence related to work in general
• Gain a broad understanding of an occupation
  or industry
• Experience career exploration & planning
• Gain skills related to particular occupations as well as related work competencies

For more information, please contact any of the following:

John Goebel, Special Education Asst. Director (253) 571-1145
Carolyn Devereaux, Special Ed. Site Coordinator (253) 571-3476
Edie Pelham, Special Ed. Site Coordinator (253) 535-7170
Teresita Perez, Work-Based Learning Coordinator (253) 571-1091
Cathy Sanderson, Special Ed.Transition Specialist (253) 571-1394