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BABA Partners With Sycamore Community Schools’ Work Study Program

Written by Manager on September 11th, 2014. Posted in Blog

Blue Ash Business Association is excited to partner with Sycamore Community Schools and their Work Study Program. This program was created to prepare students with disabilities for employment after high school graduation. BABA is always looking for new groups to partner with that share a common goal to “promote, enhance, and improve both the Blue Ash business environment and the community in general.” –BABA Mission Statement. This partnership will be a great opportunity to do just that.

BABA has been working with Ester Adams, Sycamore Community Schools Transition Coordinator, to learn more about the program and find out how they can get involved. To educate others about the program BABA has invited Ester and her team to the upcoming BABA After Hours Event on October 2nd, 2014, 4:30-6:30. The Location will be at The Rug Gallery, Kenwood Rd. Ester will speak briefly about the program and the benefits of having volunteer work study interns within a business. Ester and her team will stay for the entire event, so that anyone wanting more information can meet with them.

BABA encourages all to save the date and join them at their upcoming After Hours Event. It will be a great time, great information, and is FREE ADMISSION!!! If you have questions in regards to the event contact Chasta Postler atCpostler@cmcproperties.com.

Reserve your ticket TODAY! RSVP Here

Below is a program description of the Sycamore Community Schools’ Work Study Program.

Work Study & Transition Program Description

The Work Study and Transition Program at Sycamore High School is designed to prepare students with disabilities for community based, competitive employment upon graduation.  Our program assists students ages 15-21 in gaining both volunteer and paid work experience within their community.  

About Work Study and the Transition Program:

  • Provides students with disabilities with valuable community based work and job training experiences within the communities of Blue Ash, Sycamore Township, Symmes Township, and Montgomery
  • The Transition Coordinator matches each student’s interests, aptitudes, and skills with appropriate community-based work
  • Students in the program are managed and monitored by a licensed Special Education Teacher, job coach, and/or Transition Coordinator
  • Each student is assigned a job coach for every work shift, provided at the cost of the district (no cost to the employer)
    • The job coach provides on-site support, mentoring and task guidance within the work environment
  • Students work in 1-3 different job sites per year (depending on where they are in the program continuum)
  • Hours vary between 8:00am-2:00pm Monday-Friday
  • Shifts usually last between 1-3 hours, depending on needs of the job site
  • Our program aims for paid positions, but also has a variety of non-paid/volunteer positions
    • Businesses are eligible for a tax deduction for hiring individuals with disabilities

Work Study permits students to:

  • Utilize local businesses and the community as a learning environment
  • Learn employability, independent living, and academic skills
  • Develop self-advocacy skills to enhance future success
  • Cultivate social relationships through participation in a community work environments alongside their non-disabled peers

Type of jobs / tasks we are looking for from businesses:

  • Assembly
  • Unpacking/packing boxes
  • Inventory
  • Office Work
  • Sorting/stocking
  • Retail
  • Customer Service
  • Bulk Mailing
  • Cleaning

Business benefits of working with our programs:

  • Business gains meaningful work by student interns
  • Have your business logo proudly displayed at Sycamore High School and on our website
  • Promotion on Twitter by our account (@SHS_Transition)
  • Display our Partnership Plaque for customers to see

The U.S. Department of Labor and Office of Disability Employment Policy have collected data that demonstrates a significant difference in employment between individuals with and without disabilities:

Department of Labor Statistics:

  • 87% of Americans say they prefer to patronize businesses that employ people with disabilities
  • 90% of Americans state that they have had a positive experience working at a business that hired individuals with disabilities
  • Labor Force Participation
  • People with disabilities: 20.9%
  • People without disabilities: 69.4%
  • Unemployment Rate
  • People with disabilities: 13.9%
  • People without disabilities: 8.0%

Sycamore Community Schools hopes to have a positive impact on these employment statistics by offering a variety of purposeful and strategic programs that transition students with disabilities into the adult workforce. We hope that your business can help us make a difference in the lives of our students by providing them with meaningful job experiences.    

If you have any questions about our program and would like to learn how you can become involved, please contact Esther Adams.  

Esther Adams

Transition Coordinator

Sycamore Community Schools

cell: 330-554-6430

office: 513-686-1770 x 3184

adamse@sycamoreshools.org