Building Community Partnerships to Promote Positive Work Experiences Pittsburgh Public Schools

1. Building Community Partnerships to Promote Positive Work Experiences Pittsburgh Public Schools Sodexo Campus Services University of Pittsburgh Allegheny General Hospital July 23, 2009

2. School-Business Partnerships Partnership – a mutually supportive relationship between a business and a school or school district in which the partners commit themselves to specific goals and activities intended to benefit students and schools. Council for Corporate & School Partnerships www.corpschoolpartners.org

3. School – Business Partnerships • A partnership between a school and a business can prove beneficial to both partners if the right components are in place. • School – Business Partnerships can have a powerful impact on the community. • Community leaders should be engaged and supportive of partnerships that improve the education experience. Council for Corporate & School Partnerships www.corpschoolpartners.org Daniels Fund www.danielsfund.org

4. School – Business Partnerships What Works? • Clear and measurable program goals • Attainable goals • Adequate personnel • Sufficient resources • Measurable outcomes • Flexible programming • Ability to replicate program The EMA Journal www.schoolmatch.com

5. Seven Strategies for Success • Ensure student learning and achievement are the focus of every partnership - Assess the needs of the school - Assess the needs of the business - Ensure that the partners offer resources and assistance that will compliment school improvement efforts - Ensure “buy-in” from the superintendent and/or school board www.danielsfund.org

6. Seven Strategies for Success • Develop a well-defined and well-managed program that supports school-based partnerships - Establish a formal structure for the program (ie, written guidelines, partnership handbook, evaluation tools, recognition programs, policy guidelines) - Assign a program coordinator from both the school and business to oversee the partnership program - Develop a training plan www.danielsfund.org

7. Seven Strategies for Success • Make strategic matches between schools and businesses that advance a school’s improvement goals - Research local businesses that can meet the needs of the students - Recruit partners through community organizations, parents and staff in the school, local businesses and non-profit organizations - Choose companies that promote academics - Establish the desired support from each business (ie, mentoring, job shadowing or apprenticeships, internships, direct financial support, in-kind donations, etc) www.danielsfund.org

8. Seven Strategies for Success • Set clear expectations for schools and businesses - Jointly develop an annual plan that includes measurable outcomes linked to student achievement (ie, time commitment, volunteers, communication strategies, financial obligations and evaluation) - Establish an evaluation process and person(s) responsible for these evaluations www.danielsfund.org

9. Seven Strategies for Success • Provide training for school staff and business employees - Schedule an initial meeting between the school personnel and business partner to review the annual plan of activities as well as the duties and responsibilities of those involved - Conduct training on mentoring students and the school curriculum as necessary - Develop written job descriptions - Hold regular monthly or quarterly meetings between the school and business coordinators to assess progress www.danielsfund.org

10. Seven Strategies for Success • Create a meaningful process for communicating about the program and recognizing the contributions of business partners - Generate an ongoing communications plan and recognition events to include publicity to recruit new partners and honor existing ones. Examples of recognition can include any of the following: Letters from principals, teachers, students and parents, End-of-year celebrations, Outstanding partner awards, etc) - Develop guidelines for the recognition events and communicate these guidelines to the business partners www.danielsfund.org

11. Seven Strategies for Success • Regularly monitor and evaluate each partnership and the overall program - Evaluate on a regular, agreed-upon basis - Include data collection and analysis to assess strengths and weaknesses www.danielsfund.org

12. Barriers to Avoid Potential BarriersOvercoming Barriers Cultural differences –Businesses andEncourage both parties to meet and establish schools operate differently. Businessesexpectations and goals from the outset. expect immediate results and may be disappointed by the time and process involved in setting up a partnership. Turnover – New principals and businessProvide strong communications and recognition leaders who are unfamiliar with the program events as well as testimonials about successful may not want to participate at first. programs to encourage participation. Training – Schools may not make the Establish regularly scheduled opportunities for the commitment to train and use volunteers school and business coordinators to talk about how appropriately.the program is going. Provide communication tools if necessary. Background checks – Many school districts Ensure that proper documentation is completed all volunteers to have a background check. during orientation meetings. www.danielsfund.org

13. Secondary Transition Programs Pittsburgh Public Schools Community Based Vocational Education (CBVE) and Start On Success (SOS)

14. CBVE Community Based Vocational Education Ms. Peg Fitzgerald, Facilitator Pittsburgh Public Schools CBVE Program

15. What is CBVE? • Vocational exploration, assessment, and training that occurs in a typical work setting, rather than a school environment. A vocational class outside the classroom…in the real world. • It is designed to move the student toward their goal of employment and independence. • Student participation is on a volunteer non-paid basis. • Students receive academic credit for their participation. • Students are supervised by school staff for the duration of their vocational experience. • Because it occurs in real work settings, all CBVE must comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act

16. Who is it for? Students for whom competitive employment is not immediately obtainable. The primary focus includes students with life skill support needs and autism spectrum disorders. Regional classrooms are located at six comprehensive high schools in the Pittsburgh Public School District.

17. FLSA Safeguards A CBVE student: Cannot displace a regular worker. Must be supervised by a representative of the school or the business. Is there to meet IEP goals, not business needs. Is not guaranteed a job at the end of CBVE.

18. Examples of CBVE sites University of Pittsburgh, Sodexo Dining Services Elizabeth Seton Center Honorable Dan Onorato’s Office, Allegheny County Courthouse Pittsburgh Public Schools Board of Education Mailroom Carnegie Libraries of Pittsburgh Anathan Club Humane Society Marian Manor Nursing Home The Hilton Hotel West Penn Hospital Volunteer Department Mt. Washington Foodland Bidwell Training Center Horticulture Department

19. K. Ashley McFall Pittsburgh Public Schools Start On Success Transition Facilitator

20. Designed primarily for students with learning disabilities, minimum supports needed • Four year program, links instruction with community activities • Primary goal: Increase the career potential of students with disabilities, and prepare them for competitive employment after high school. • Incorporates: • Career portfolios, both static and electronic • Career Assessment • Mentorship • Service Learning • Summer Employment at CIGNA • Paid Internship • Presentations/Celebrations

21. - 4 Year Plan - 4 Year Plan 9th Grade • Semester 1 • Students are Selected • Semester 2 • Daily Career Development Class • Disability Awareness • Self Assessment • Career Exploration • Career Portfolios 10th Grade - Continuation of self-awareness, career exploration and portfolios • Semester 1 • Daily Career Development Class • 8 week community mentorship • Semester 2 • Daily Service Learning Class • Service Learning Project 11th & 12th Grade - Continuation of self-awareness, career exploration and portfolios • Semesters 1 & 2 • Daily Career Development Class • Paid Internships (2 hours/day, 5 days/week) • CMU Decision Making Class • Summer Employment at CIGNA Group Insurance

22. Examples of Start On Success sites • Sodexo Dining Services • University of Pittsburgh • Office of Governmental and Community Relations • Housing Department • Allegheny General Hospital • Emergency Department • Support Services • UPMC • Dietary • Nursing Units • Carnegie Mellon University • Landscaping • Electricians • CIGNA Group Insurance • Reformed Presbyterian Nursing Home

23. Key components to developing and maintaining vocational sites Be honest, trustworthy and realistic Make it win/win for everyone Build strong relationships Believe in your students Be understanding of the employer Make good use of time Always be prepared and have paperwork completed ahead of time

24. Key components cont. • On-site school district staff – direct observations & support • Constant communication – Visits, telephone and email • Completion of community based assessments, task analysis, monthly progress reports • Assists in providing both the school district and the community partner with an understanding of the students progress level – allows for dialogue

25. Let’s hear from our Community Partners! • Sodexo Dining Services • University of Pittsburgh • Allegheny General Hospital