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Local, State and National Employment Preparation Opportunities

Options and Opportunities for Career Preparation in High School:

Multiple Pathways and California Career Technical Education
California's schools offer a variety of options for students to enroll in career related coursework.

To view the Career Technical Education Framework for California Public Schools go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ct/sf/documents/cteframework.pdf

For more information about Multiple Pathways, visit the ConnectEd website at
http://www.connectedcalifornia.org/

Career Pathways
Programs of study that connect learning in the classroom with real world applications. Pathway programs typically offer a sequence of study over the course of multiple years.

For more information about career pathways, visit the California Department of Education website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/
To get an idea of what a pathway program might look like, visit the ConnectEd website http://www.connectedcalifornia.org/pathways/pathways.php, where they have developed a matrix of various industry pathways with a sample sequence of courses

Regional Occupational Centers and Programs
A program for students 16 years of age and older that focuses on the development of workforce skills and competencies and/or leads to advanced training in post secondary education.

The following website http://www.cde.ca.gov/ds/si/rp/>provides information regarding ROC/Ps in specific locations. To contact ROC/Ps that do not have Web sites, please phone the ROC/P-Workforce Development office at 916-322-5050.

Academy Programs
Academies provide small learning communities, career-themed instruction in a variety of career areas sequenced coursework over time, and connections with local employers and the community.

For a directory of California Partnership Academies, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/hs/cpagen.asp

Go to www.naf.org> and look at their map of NAF Academies by state.

Go to the Career Academy Support Network (CASN) website at http://casn.berkeley.edu/about.html. They have a database of career academies that you can search by state, high school and/or city.

Workability I
A program for special education students in California that provides the opportunity to obtain marketable job skills while attending high school. Individualized case management and support is also provided. Students must have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) to qualify for services. http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr/wrkabltyI.asp

Transition Partnership Program
A California Department of Rehabilitation program for students in their last two years of high school. Students with physical, emotional, and/or mental disabilities are eligible.

Contact the local Department of Rehabilitation to find out about a TPP Program in your area and the process for being referred.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs)

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) http://www.fbla-pbl.org/
National Future Farmers of America (NFFA; formerly the Future Farmers of America)http://www.ffa.org/index.html
National Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) http://www.hosa.org/
SkillsUSA (formerly VICA Vocational Industrial Clubs of America)http://www.skillsusa.org/
Technology Student Association (TSA, formerly AIASA)http://www.tsaweb.org/
DECA, an association of marketing students http://www.deca.org/

Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Services

About WIA Youth Services
About the Employment and Training Administration's (ETA's) Youth Services ETA's Division of Youth Services is primarily responsible for coordinating all youth-related workforce activities, providing leadership, policy direction, program administration, technical assistance and guidance, and support activities for youth programs authorized under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998. Click here for description of Youth Programs under WIA.

Finding Your Local WIA Provider If you are trying to locate a WIA Service Provider in your area, you can always start with the local Workforce Investment Board. A directory by county is available through the California Workforce Association website at:http://www.calworkforce.org/LWIADir.html

Other Employment Preparation Opportunities and Resources

Americorps
As an AmeriCorps member, you'll gain new skills and experiences-and you'll also find the tremendous satisfaction that comes from helping others. In addition, full-time members who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans; members who serve part-time receive a partial Award. Some AmeriCorps members may also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service. http://www.americorps.gov/about/ac/index.asp
AmeriCorps is made up of three main programs: AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps).

There are thousands of opportunities to serve in AmeriCorps. Each one provides an incredible opportunity to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. To search for an AmeriCorps national service opportunity that fits your interests and desired location, click here. Applications for any position can also be submitted online - all you have to do is create a user profile.

California State Youth Vision Team
The California State Youth Vision Team (SYVT) shall be recognized as a bridge to linking public, private, for profit and nonprofit resources to connect youth most in need, ages 14 - 24, with youth serving agencies and high-growth employment opportunities. http://www.cwib.ca.gov/special_committees/state_youth_vision_team

Forum for Youth Investment
The Forum for Youth Investment is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "action tank" dedicated to helping communities and the nation make sure all young people are Ready by 21®: ready for college, work, and life. Informed by rigorous research and practical experience, the Forum forges innovative ideas, strategies and partners to strengthen solutions for young people and those who care about them. http://www.forumforyouthinvestment.org/about

National Coalition on Workforce and Disability for YouthNCWD/Youth
NCWD/Youth is your source for information about employment and youth with disabilities. Our partners - experts in disability, education, employment, and workforce development - strive to ensure you will be provided with the highest quality, most relevant information available. http://www.ncwd-youth.info/

National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC)
The National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) is a national membership network that improves the effectiveness of organizations that seek to help youth become productive citizens. Toward this end, NYEC sets and promotes quality standards; tracks, crafts and influences policy; provides and supports professional development; and builds the capacity of organizations and programs. http://www.nyec.org/

Youth Council Institute (YCi)
Since 2001, YCi and New Ways have supported local Youth Councils and others in their work with hundreds of youth-serving organizations and schools. A significant majority of those organizations cite direct improvements as a result of adopting and utilizing the All Youth-One System frameworks. http://www.newwaystowork.org/initiatives/yci.html

Youth Build
Youthbuild is a program to allow non-profit organizations to fund projects to assist high-risk youth learn housing construction job skills and complete their high school education. Participants enhance their skills as they construct and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for low-income and homeless persons or families. http://www.disasterhousing.gov/offices/cpd/economicdevelopment/programs/youthbuild/