Ace Program: Adolescent Career Exploration

North Jersey Friendship House

355 Main Street

Hackensack, NJ  07601

Phone: (201) 488-2121

http://www.njfriendshiphouse.org

*Completely funded by NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS).

*No cost to student or school.

*Classes held at the Bergen Community.

*College campus in Hackensack.

About the Program:

North Jersey Friendship House’s Adolescent Career Exploration (ACE) project will enable students with disabilities, 16 years and older, to gain a better understanding of employment options and post-secondary education opportunities. ACE will facilitate a greater awareness of personal career interests and aptitudes and will foster an improved transition planning process.

*Completely funded by the NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) with no cost to school or student.

*Participants must be DVRS clients; NJFH will help facilitate with application to DVRS if necessary.

*Target Population is area high school students with any type of disability.

*Classes conveniently held at the Bergen Community College (BCC) Campus in Hackensack.

*ACE will help to ensure a seamless transition to adult services, education and training and/or competitive employment upon completion.

*There are three phases to the project which are Career Exploration/Workforce Readiness, Work Based Learning and Internships.

Phase One: Career Exploration/Workforce Readiness

Students will initially participate in a 13 weeks in-house program which includes:

*A highly individualized approach to career interest and aptitude exploration.

*Field trips to employment sites.

*Job Shadowing/Jobs Sampling

*Site visits to local universities, colleges and trade schools.

*Peer mentors to assist students with developing leadership and advocacy skills.

Phase Two-Work Based Learning:

*Following the initial 13 week period, staff will arrange for work-based learning experiences at competitive integrated job sites which align with each student’s interest and skills. Most students will participate at a single job site, others may benefit from participation at multiple sites.

*Students will spend 25 to 40 hours at job sites and will be trained and supervised by project Job Coaches.

Phase Three-Internships (if required):

Some students will benefit from longer term paid internship opportunities:

*Internships will be capped at 5 hours a week for a maximum of 10 weeks.

*Students will receive an internship stipend of $9.00 per hour.

*Job Coaches will assist with acclimating students to the internship and will gradually fade as natural supports are developed.

It is anticipated that some internships may lead to summer jobs or part-time competitive integrated employment at the internship site or with similar employers.

At the end of the initial 13 weeks, if the project coordinator, DVRS and the parents/guardians determine it will be more beneficial than participation in work-based training or an internship, students will have the opportunity to begin an employment search with the assistance of the Job Coach.

North Jersey Friendship House

125 Atlantic Street

Hackensack, NJ  07601

Phone: (201) 488-2121

Fax: (201) 488-4157

http://www.njfriendshiphouse.org

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the ACE Program pamphlet directly and are given full credit for the information.  Please call them at their numbers for more information.