Webinar Date: April 27, 2015 2:00PM ESTPresenters: Division of Youth ServicesU.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration

ENSURING A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION: INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR

YOUTH CAREERCONNECT STUDENTS, PART ONE

Objectives• Review the purpose and components of an

Individual Development Plan• Review research conducted on Individualized

Learning Plans • Provide helpful tips to use when setting goals to

help students successfully meet education and employment milestones

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Outline • What’s in a name?

• Purpose • What is required?• The Building Blocks of an IDP• Planning Success: Using Individualized

Learning Plans to Enhance Career Development

• Call to present Peer-to-Peer• Resources & Tools

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What’s in a name? • Life Plan? • Development Plan? • Career and Academic Plan? • Graduation Plan? • Service Plan? • Strategy Plan? • Learning Plan?

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Purpose• An IDP assists a student and his or her

parent/legal guardian in: • exploring the postsecondary career and

educational opportunities available to the student, • aligning course work and curriculum, applying to

postsecondary education institutions, • securing financial aid, and • ultimately entering the workforce.

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What is Required? Under Core Element 3: Individualized Career and Academic Counseling• This counseling must include creating Individual Development Plans

(IDPs) with each participant that address post-secondary preparation, such as planning that includes the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or continued education/training, employment, or both.

• Each participant’s IDP should include career objectives, a program of study, degree and/or certificate objectives, and work experiences; the IDP is a living document and should be reviewed and updated regularly throughout participation in the program.

• Examples of counseling activities include:

• Creating and regularly reviewing and updating each participant’s IDP;

What is Required? Under Program Design

ii. Employer Engagement• Describe strategies and detailed plans for employer

engagement and program participant immersion in an array of work-based learning opportunities that includes a combination of internship opportunities, pre-apprenticeship opportunities, Registered Apprenticeship opportunities, job shadowing opportunities, and career awareness activities that directly relate to the selected high growth industry(ies)/occupation(s) and will align with a participant’s IDP;

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What is Required? Under Program Designiii. Career and Academic Counseling

• Identify and describe the career and academic counseling services available to participants. Describe how counseling services will:• Assist each participant to develop career goals,

understand career pathway options, and establish an Individual Development Plan (IDP); include how the IDP will be created, reviewed, updated, and developed with clear academic and career goals and participant input; IDPs must include specific career goals, degree/certificate attainment goals, work experience plans, and training needs that correlate to the participant’s academic schedule; 8

What is Required? Under Program Designiv. Work-Based Learning and Exposure to the World of Work• In this section, applicants must identify how work-based

learning opportunities will be incorporated into the academic and career-focused curriculum as well as demonstrate how the implementation of these activities will be incorporated within each participant’s IDP.

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The Building Blocks of an IDP: The PrinciplesThis plan will establish a road map that will assist the participant to overcome employment barriers and lead the participant to the end goal of unsubsidized employment.  The plan will be developed according to five basic principles:

1. The plan will maintain a focus on education and employment 2. The IDP will be flexible

• Regular Review, Refinement, Retool 3. The plan will be realistic4. The plan will be developed by mutual agreement of the

counselor and the participant 5. The plan will broaden opportunities, not limit them 10

The Building Blocks of an IDP: The Components• Student/Family Focused

• Developed in Partnership with student and his or her parent/legal guardian

• Academic Progress• Aligns course work and curriculum• Explores additional services

• Post-secondary planning• Assist with applying to

postsecondary education institutions

• Explores the postsecondary career and educational opportunities

• Financial Literacy• Assist with securing financial

aid, grants and scholarships • Budgeting and basic

banking

• Career Exploration• Assists with entering the

workforce• Uses Labor Market

Information

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• Understands and can assist with Financial Aid, grants & scholarships

• Understands the college and employment application process

• Employer Connector• Connects with student on a

“regular basis” • Helps eliminate barriers and finds

solutions • Administers Career Assessments• Assists with creating the steps in a

Career Path • Connects Students to Community

Service and Leadership Activities

• Assists with understanding Labor market Information

• Identifies what services and type of education & training student need to become self-sufficient

• Determines educational skills required by selected career pathways

• Motivates the Students • Assesses Skill Attainment • Rewards/Acknowledges the student

for reaching major milestones • Assesses Basic, Occupational and

Work readiness skill attainment

The Building Blocks of an IDP: The Counselors

I. Identification information• Name• Contact information• Other identifiers

II. Summary of objective assessment information• Grades• Basic skills objective assessment results• Career interests/aptitudes• Occupational skills and work experience• Developmental or other assessments that may affect services

The Building Blocks of an IDP: The Sections

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III. Measurable Long Term Career Goals • Long-term aspirations (1 year or more) for:

• Educational (e.g., complete high school, complete occupational skill training)• Employment (e.g., obtain internship)• Support (e.g., fix car)• Life skills (e.g., develop a personal budget) • Student development/leadership development

IV. Measurable Short -Term Career Goals • Measurable, smaller sizes which lead to the Long-term • List the action steps to be taken to achieve the short-term goals and identify

who will do what and when• Progress can be updated often on achieving the short-term goals (i.e.,

attendance, grades, instructor’s or employer’s comments).

The Building Blocks of an IDP: The Sections

V. Services & other resources needed• Tutoring• Career awareness activities• Supportive• Transportation • Child Care

VI. Organizations and/or individuals that will provide experiences & resources• Internships• Mentoring• Employers• Community Service/Engagement • Athletics • Pre-apprenticeship opportunities• Registered Apprenticeship

opportunities• Job shadowing opportunities

The Building Blocks of an IDP: The Sections

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VII. Follow-up & Check-in services • Regular, frequent contact with the student, the student’s employer

and the student’s postsecondary academic advisor

VIII. Tasks & responsibilities of the student, counselors, family members and others

• Due Dates and Timeline

IX. Approvals (Signed and Dated) • Student/Parent signature shows commitment to IDP.• Counselor also signs IDP.

The Building Blocks of an IDP: The Sections

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PLANNING SUCCESS: USING INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING

PLANS TO ENHANCE CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Mindy LarsonInstitute for Educational Leadership

Who We Are• National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for

Youth, a national technical assistance center

• Focus on transition needs of ALL youth, including youth with disabilities and other disconnected youth • Improve state and local policy• Strengthen workforce development service delivery• Improve competencies of youth service professionals• Engage youth and families

• Supported by Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor 18

Individualized Learning PlansWhat YCC Grantees Need to Know

• An ILP is developed by youth in school typically beginning in middle school or no later than 9th grade

• 37 states & DC require or encourage ILPs for all students

• States use different names – Education & Career Action Plan in AZ, Student Success Plan in CT, many more

• Purposes for ILP in education system:• To personalize learning • To develop college and career readiness• To prepare early to meet graduation requirements

• ILP is not the same as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for students with disabilities. 19

How ILPs differ from IEPs• ILPs are not required by federal law. They are required by

state law or executive edict.• ILPs do not replace IEPs.• ILPs can promote collaboration among school admin and staff

to support the Special Ed students’ career development (Connects Counseling, Spec Ed, CTE, Gen Ed staff).

• Students may work on their ILPs in an advisory period or weekly class (Ongoing Process, Part of School Day).

• Students may meet frequently with an adult mentor/advisor or small group to work on ILP (Inclusive, Personal Support).

• ILPs inform the IEP/Transition Planning process – Increases understanding of student’s interests, options, goals, & current plans.

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Which states require or encourage using ILPs? ILP Policy Map: http://www.dol.gov/odep/ilp/map/

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• A document consisting of: (a) course taking and post-secondary plans aligned to career goals; and

(b) documentation of the range of college and career readiness skills that the student has developed. 

• A process that enhances the relevance of school and out-of-school learning opportunities, and provides the student access to career development opportunities that involve building skills in self exploration, career exploration, and career planning and management. 22

What is a Quality ILP?

Quality Individualized Planning• Youth drive the plan, take ownership of goals & action

steps

• Engages youth in ongoing career development process:• Self Exploration - Exploring their personal interests, skills,

values to better understand themselves

• Career Exploration - Learning about various career options and related postsecondary options and career pathways; online career information AND hands-on activities

• Career Planning & Management - Defining own goals & plans for pursuing careers, continuing ed, & other life goals; developing career readiness skills; making informed decisions about education, training, other activities 23

How Quality Plans Benefit YouthFindings from National Research Study on

ILPs

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Engaging in Quality

ILPs

IncreasesGoal

Setting

IncreasesMotivatio

n

IncreasesAcademic

Self-Efficacy

Improves GPA, Career

Decision-Making

Readiness; Lowers Distress

1) Inform the Individual Development Plan2) Create Continuity, Relevance for Youth3) Free Tools & Strategies You Can Use4) Opportunity to Increase Collaboration &

Coordination 5) Increasing Youth Ownership of Future Plans &

Career Development

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Reasons Why ILPs Matter for YCC Grantees

• Use online career info systems/ E-Portfolios to make activities & plans easy to access anywhere, anytime (ensure Section 508 complaint)

• Make career development activities part of regular school day - advisory periods, integrate into weekly class

• Assign each student a mentor/advisor – same teacher or counselor from grade to grade who supports career development

• Adopt student-led parent-teacher conferences & IEP meetings

• Engage employers & community partners – work experiences, guest speakers, job shadowing, career mentors, career projects 26

Successful Strategies

• Focus on the whole person using a positive youth development approach

• Develop a supportive relationship with youth by discussing their strengths, needs, and goals in all 5 areas of youth development:1. Learning2. Working3. Connecting4. Leading5. Thriving

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Successful Strategies

Focus: Doing my best in school and educational settings.Sample Youth Interview Questions:• What is your favorite class? Why?• Who is/was your favorite teacher?• What do you see as your strengths at school? • What’s challenging for you at school?• What helps you do your best in your classes?• What are your current education goals?

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Youth Development ApproachArea 1: Learning

Focus: Exploring careers and getting ready to find and keep a job.Sample Youth Interview Questions:• Do you currently have a job?• What if any jobs have you had in the past? (paid/unpaid, long/short-term)• Do you have any services that you charge others for? (e.g. lawn mowing,

babysitting)• What jobs have you liked best? Why? (If no work experience: What type

of work do you think you would like best?)• What are any skills or qualities you have that are/could be useful in a job?• What if anything is/could be challenging for you in a job?• Have you ever had any job related training? (e.g. food handling,

customer service, computer program)• What are your current career goals?

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Youth Development ApproachArea 2: Working

Focus: Building supporting relationships, networking, and connecting to resources. Sample Youth Interview Questions:• Who do you hang out with the most? At home? At school?• Who do you consider your closest friends?• Which adults do you spend the most time with at school?• Who would you go to for help or advice?• Which neighbors do you know well?• Which businesses do you and your family go to most frequently?• Do any of your family members or friends own businesses?• Do you know anyone in politics, government services, or advocacy?• Do you have a mentor?• What if any particular goals do you have related to getting support

from others, networking, or connecting to resources?30

Youth Development ApproachArea 3: Connecting

Focus: Making positive choices for my health and well-being.Sample Youth Interview Questions:• What do you do for recreation? Fun?• Do you have a regular doctor? a dentist? When was the last time

you had a check-up?• Are you eating healthy? Do you have access to healthy meals each

day?• Are you getting daily exercise?• Who do you talk to when you have a problem? What other ways do

you cope with stress and challenges?• What is your current housing situation? Is this a safe and stable

living arrangement? (If not, are there other housing options to consider?)

• What if any particular goals do you have related to your health and well-being?

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Youth Development ApproachArea 4: Thriving

Focus: Being involved in my community and setting goals for myself.Sample Youth Interview Questions:• What if any community groups or clubs are you a part of?• In what ways are you currently or have you been a leader?• What opportunities have you had to be a leader at school? At work?

Among your peers or in your family?• If you were to start your own club or community group, what would it be?• What are some ways you are “in charge” or take positive steps to direct

your own life?• Do you get opportunities to make decisions about your life?• What if any particular goals do you have related to leadership or other

personal interests? (Goals for your life or to improve your habits?)• Do you have a plan to reach those goals? Do you have or need support

in reaching those goals? 32

Youth Development ApproachArea 5: Leading

• Youth set S.M.A.R.T. goals• Youth outline action steps they will take to work toward goals• Youth understand how the program will support them to

achieve goals they set for themselves. Together, outline action steps the staff and/or mentor will take.

• Youth identify any other support or services they may need to be successful (e.g. accommodations, mentoring, tutoring, transportation). Work together to get youth connected to these.

• Youth regularly review what actions they have taken through peer group or one-on-one meeting. Try weekly goal setting and peer support!

• Youth present their goals, plan, and progress to their support network (family, mentors, teachers, others).

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Youth Driven Planning

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Includes Sample Lessons, Activities & Tools for:• Self Exploration• Career Exploration• Career Planning & Management

• Job Search Skills• Youth Development and Leadership• Career and Work-Readiness Skills • Work-Based Learning • Financial Literacy

Online at: www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp/how-to-guide

Use the ILP How-to Guide

Using Career Interest Inventories, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practice-briefs/using-career-interest-inventories-to-inform-career-planning

Career Exploration in Action, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practice-briefs/career-exploration-in-action

Engaging Youth in Work Experiences, http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practice-briefs/engaging-youth-in-work-experiences

Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success, http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills/

Understanding the New Vision for Career Development: The Role of Family: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/understanding-the-new-vision-for-career-development-the-role-of-family

411 on Disability Disclosure: A Workbook for Youth: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/411-on-disability-disclosure

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More Resources for Career Development

How-to Guide: “Promoting Quality Individualized Learning Plans: A How to Guide Focused on the High School Years” www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp/how-to-guide

ILP Fact Sheet: http://www.ncwd-youth.info/fact-sheet/individualized-learning-plan

Policy Brief: “Using Individualized Learning Plans to Produce College and Career Ready High School Graduates” http://www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp/produce-college-and-career-ready-high-school-graduates

ILP Resources Home Page: www.ncwd-youth.info/ilp36

Learn More About ILPs

Contact Us

Mindy Larson, Ph. 202.822.8405 Ext. 169 LarsonM@iel.org

NCWD/Youth: www.ncwd-youth.info Funded by ODEP, U.S. DOL: www.dol.gov/odep

ILP Research Partners:

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CALL TO SHARE YOUR IDP!

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Additional Resources • My Next Move https://www.mynextmove.org/ • America’s Service Locator

http://www.servicelocator.org/ • First Step: A student

Practitioner’s Resource Guide to Supportive Services

• FindYouthInfo “Map My Community” http://findyouthinfo.gov/maps/map-my-community

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Please enter your questions in the Chat Room!

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CONTACT USU.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration

200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-4456Washington, DC 20210Email: ycc@dol.gov

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NEXT TRAINING: INTERNSHIPS TUESDAY, JUNE 2ND AT 3:00PM ET

Thank you!43

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE 2015 YCC NATIONAL GRANTEE

CONFERENCE