How the Journey BeganLeaders with a Vision created a Mission for
others to followThe vision was for the community to prepare
students for adult lifeThe mission was to get members of our
organizations together for that common goal The leaders gave the members the latitude
and freedom to succeed
To improve employment outcomes for students with
disabilities through enhanced partnership between Columbia
Public Schools, service providers, and the business
community
Mission
Stray the courseThe focus of our effort wasn’t on duplicating
what others had done (although we did look at what other programs were doing)
The focus was on the needs of the students in our community and what resources were available to meet or address those needs
What We NeededThe ability to understand each otherStudents and teachersA local business willing to provide the
location for the programAgencies to provide supports to the students
as they prepared for and sought employmentSomebody to pay for all of it
Students follow school and work place standards
Attendance & PunctualityProfessional appearanceDisplay appropriate interactions with peers, supervisors, and patients
Partners focus on successful outcomes for all with every effort
Setting the Bar High
The Speed of Trust (SMR Covey)
The more we build trust as partners, the more we can accomplish and the quicker we can accomplish it
In our community the group of partners continues to grow as we expand our efforts, but the core partners remain and form the basis of the trust relationship
EXAMPLES OF COLLABORATIONCommunity Transition Team
Seamless Transition through Enhanced Partnership (STEP)
University Hospital Program
School Based Enterprises
Common Curriculum
Parent/Youth Workshops
Resources/ Information
Agency Connections Futures Fair
Parent/ Business Mentors
Show MeCareers Grant
Professional Development/
Building Capacity
Transition Teams Elementary-High School
Disability Awareness Activities
Moberly Area Community College (MACC) Partnership
Lincoln University and other
campus visits
Work Experience Coordinator