School2Work is being developed and enhanced as a working model with five area high schools.

School partners are represented through The Bridge Consortium, a working group including special education directors at:

• Burlington H.S
• Colchester H.S.
• Mt. Mansfield Union H.S.
• South Burlington H.S.
• Winooski H.S.

Students, who gain: an individualized transition plan that includes job readiness training to be part of the competitive workforce; work experience in “industries of choice,” and the social capital and quality of life built through sustainable employment;

Families, who learn about adult services and gain their own transition plan and support structure;

Schools, who can fully concentrate on their primary role – to educate the next generation;

Employers, who work both inform CCS about, and – in some cases – help design training for, the skills needed for the next generation’s workforce, and who benefit from a previously untapped. but eager and skilled workforce;

Our community, which benefits whenever all its resources are recognized, valued, and energized to contribute.

CCS submitted it’s exciting new School2Work program to this competition, and a panel of community judges selected us as one of six finalists from more than 30 applicants. Facebook voting decided the prize winners, and CCS was announced as the Third Place Winner, earning $10,000 for our program.

The announcement was made Thursday, December 12th at the Annual Holiday Party at KeyBank. Thanks to all who voted for us, and congrats to all our fellow finalists – especially Vermont Works for Women, which took First Place.