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Launch is a one-year, high school transition program for individuals with disabilities to provide training and education leading to community employment.
This program serves as a workforce alternative for young adults (ages 18-22) who defer their diploma and are in their last year of high school. Applicants gain admission into the program through a selection committee process.
The cornerstone of the Launch program is total immersion in a large business. The Upper Valley Career Center accomplishes this, thanks to the on-going collaboration between professionals, interns, and their families.
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Inside the Program
Instruction reinforces on-the-job learning and introduces critical employability topics:
Unit One - Keeping Safety First: workplace requirements
Unit Two - Being a Team Player
Unit Three - Understanding the Human Resource Processes
Unit Four - Communication and Social Skills
Unit Five - Health, Wellness, and Individuality
Unit Six - Technology for the whole person
Unit Seven - Career Exploration
Unit Eight - Managing Money and Independent Living
Unit Nine - Presentation, Interviewing and Community Connections
Unit Ten - Making Plans for Career Success: Resume, Attitude and handling changes in job status
On-the-Job Experience
On-site managers work with the coordinator and job readiness trainers to support the interns. Interns receive regular feedback from the internship manager, co-workers, and UVCC staff. At the end of each work day interns reflect and journal their learning experiences in order to identify problem areas and consider solutions and plans for improvement. Staff instruct and oversee the interns during their job rotations and in their final job placement.
Three rotations give each intern real-world work experience based on his or her unique abilities and needs. The options include:
Nutrition
Rehabilitation
Linens
Cancer Care
Environmental Services, and more.
Partnerships
Working Together Toward Independence
Fluid and focused partnerships among local institutions and agencies is vital to the success of this program.
The Upper Valley Career Center provides the expertise and training professionals to direct the program and coordinate the efforts of interns, job readiness trainers, and site supervisors.
Upper Valley Medical Center and Koester Pavilion both provide a training office, computer lab, and on-campus work rotations.
Our Staff
Patti Moore, Launch Coordinator
moorep@uppervalleycc.org
P: 937.440.7431
F: 937.440.7886
Kristin Pence, Paraprofessional
pencek@uppervalleycc.org
These state and local agencies provide oversight and continued support for each intern gaining employment as a result of their participation in Launch.