1. Linking Learning to Careers
“The LLC project goals are to develop and implement a model that provides work-based learning experiences and postsecondary access for secondary students and otherwise enhances their progress on a successful career path.”
So I would like to add my welcome to all of you to the official launch of Linking Learning to Careers! My name is Rich Tulikangas, the newly hired Director for LLC. And I have to say that I am thrilled to be here. I told my VocRehab colleagues when I was hired that I considered this job an ideal match for experiences and interests, as I have been deeply committed to building career and college readiness for youth, mostly in Vermont and to some degree nationally, over the past 30 some years. This also feels a little like coming back home since an organization that I ran for 16 years was titled “Linking Learning to Life”. In any case, collectively we have this exciting opportunity to build on and expand our successful transitioIntranet, n efforts through LLC. One of our primary goals for today is to develop a shared understanding of what this is, so I’m going to try to move us in that direction.
VT State Rehabilitation Council December 7, Randolph VT

2. How did LLC come about?
Prior to LLC: VocRehab VT a national innovator in high school disability transition services The Opportunity to do more: Disability Innovation Fund through RSA The Result: VT awarded 1 of 5 grants nationally!
WALK THROUGH each of these items.
Point out that VR Leadership includes Diane, James, Hugh Bradshaw, and Bill Sugarman, our regional manager for Morrisville and Barre.
State partners include: CCV, VABIR, VT AOE, VT DOL, & others
Secured support for project from Mathematica – extensive experience with program evaluation and randomization studies and TransCen – expertise in areas of program and professional development and has already been part of other VR projects

3. What are we after?
LLC is designed to achieve these outcomes (here’s what we are measuring):
1. Being employed and succeeding in a paid, competitive job that is a stepping-stone to a career.
2. Being enrolled in and succeeding in a postsecondary program that will lead to a career.
3. Having confidence, on the part of the students and their families, that they will achieve their career goals.
WALK THROUGH each of these items.
Point out that VR Leadership includes Diane, James, Hugh Bradshaw, and Bill Sugarman, our regional manager for Morrisville and Barre.
State partners include: CCV, VABIR, VT AOE, VT DOL, & others
Secured support for project from Mathematica – extensive experience with program evaluation and randomization studies and TransCen – expertise in areas of program and professional development and has already been part of other VR projects

4. What does LLC look like? Student Outcomes
Reference the 1-PAGE GRAPHIC OVERVIEW in the packet.
We thought the TREE metaphor could work for showing what LLC is all about.
So at the bottom or ROOTS of the project are some key partners, first as organizations and then as key implementers that feed
Students who are the TRUNK of heart of the project – the reason we are doing all of this.
And the BRANCHES and LEAVES represent some of the intended outcomes of this effort. Ultimately it’s about improving Employment and Post-Secondary results for students, such as internships, training, certification and paid jobs on one side;
And Dual enrollment opps., coursework and degrees on the Post-Sec. side
I hope this helps some of you understand the project visually.

5. Vermont High School Students
LL Vision
Exciting New Futures
Change the Trajectory
LAB
ACTUALIZE
Innovative Solutions
Pushing the Norm
Chance to Demonstrate Positive Impact
INSPIRE
EXPLORE
Vermont High School Students

6. How will we get there? To get there LLC will deliver:
1. Career development support via classroom, small group, & one- on-one services resulting in an individual LLC Plan.
2. A continuum of work-based learning experiences including:
a) at least one formally prepared and evaluated job shadow
b) at least one formally prepared and evaluated unpaid internship and/or volunteer experience
c) at least one employer-paid job in a competitive, integrated setting
3. Access to postsecondary education, including earning college credit while still in high school.
4. Intensive individualized Assistive Technology support
5. Transportation for WBL, employment & college activities
WALK THROUGH each of these items.
Point out that VR Leadership includes Diane, James, Hugh Bradshaw, and Bill Sugarman, our regional manager for Morrisville and Barre.
State partners include: CCV, VABIR, VT AOE, VT DOL, & others
Secured support for project from Mathematica – extensive experience with program evaluation and randomization studies and TransCen – expertise in areas of program and professional development and has already been part of other VR projects

7. Work-Based Learning Experiences
LLC will deliver a continuum of work-based learning experiences including:
a) at least one formally prepared and evaluated job shadow
b) at least one formally prepared and evaluated unpaid internship and/or volunteer experience
c) at least one employer-paid job in a competitive, integrated setting

8. Post-Secondary Opportunities
LLC will deliver a continuum of post-secondary experiences including:
Tours of CCV campuses, relationship building with key CCV staff members and student mentoring opportunities
Enhanced Introduction to College & Careers course with focus on students with disabilities and navigating the ADA transitions process
2 additional dual enrollment vouchers (these can be used for developmental courses if needed to support college success)
Employment/work place skills focused contracted courses for students with identified goals of entering the workplace upon graduation from high school

9. Assistive Technology Supports
Students will have access to an on-site AT specialist who will provide services including:
Assessment and Consultation
Demonstration and Training
On the job evaluation
Delivery of assistive technology equipment
Follow up for revision and to ensure appropriate equipment and use

10. What are Other Key Elements?
Expansion of existing high quality Pre- Employment Transition Services for youth
Strategic national partners – Mathematica (design and evaluation) and TransCen (fidelity monitoring and PD)
Key state partners – Community College of VT, VABIR, Agency of Education
5-Year research effort to demonstrate results
New dedicated staffing to support student success – Career Consultants & AT Specialists
Reference the 1-page LLC OVERVIEW handout in their packet.
Review briefly the WHY, WHAT and FOR WHOM of the project

11. Who benefits?
Enrollment target: 800 students statewide over 2 years – 400 receive ‘enhanced services’ (400 receive core Pre-ETS services)
High school students on IEP’s, 504 Plans or 504 eligible – focus on sophomores and juniors
Families, schools, employers,
other community partners
also benefit
As noted earlier, LLC is very much premised on the fact that we have an outstanding foundation of youth transition services already in place to build on! C
Therefore we think of the project as a way to provide and integrate a set of enhancements for participating students. Here’s how we are thinking of them:
WALK THROUGH

12. It’s All About Collaboration!
African Proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
As I mentioned at the beginning, this project is the result of a number of partners coming together to pursue this new opportunity for Vermont young people. I would like to wrap up with the reminder that the success of this effort is equally dependent on all of US working together as partners. To me that means:
A working collaboration between multiple state agencies – VocRehab, VABIR, Agency of Education, Department of Labor and statewide associations
A state & local office partnership – we need to support your direct work with students as effectively as we can
A local partnering of VR , school, and higher Ed services
And an essential close working relationship among the implementers – TC’s, YES’s, CC’s, BAM’s and regional managers
So I just want to point out some of the key folks at the state level supporting this work:
Diane Dalmasse, Division Director for VR (who can’t be with us today because she is recovering from knee replacement surgery)
James Smith, who you already met (Principal Investigator for project)
Brian Guy, Asst. Director of project who you will hear from in a few minutes
Tara Howe, VocRehab Transition Program Director
Amber Fulcher, Assistive Tech. Program Director
Other VR Staff: Karen Blake-Orne, VR Field Services Director
Hugh Bradshaw,
If all of this is to work, indeed it’s all about collaboration. I want to reference the African proverb on the slide that I borrowed from a student who quoted it: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
As I wrap up, I want to briefly introduce you to a couple key collaborators from our national partner TransCen who are here today to meet you and say a few words about the role they will play in LLC implementation – Kelli Crane and Ruth Allison.