Employability

YEAR 1-

• After the students have been accepted into the GEAR Program, each student is given assessments to help develop an internship site based on preferences, interests, needs, and strengths.

• Gahanna-Jefferson Public schools provides transportation to and from internship sites.

• Some sites do require a background check

• Internship sites that have been used: A cook at elementary schools, preschool programs, secretarial, gym aide, and custodial work.

The first year in the GEAR program students are placed at worksites within the Gahanna Jefferson School District. Students have been placed as gym assistants at Middle School South, and Gahanna Lincoln Elementary. In this placement, students assist the gym teachers with set up of gym equipment, organizing gym equipment, keeping score and demonstrating how to complete each gym lesson.

Students have had work placements in the Gahanna Jefferson Preschool Program. In the preschool program, students gave assisted in traffic duty, assisting teachers with students during various activities including: centers, circle time, snack, art activities and transitions, clerical duties and much more.

Students have also had placements with custodians at Clark Hall, Middle School South and High Point Elementary. Custodial assistant duties include cleaning up after lunch, using the floor scrubber, assisting with trash removal, setting up for events and more.

YEAR 2-

The second year of the program students worksites are within the Gahanna community. Students have been placed at the YMCA, Mod Pizza, LCD Preschool Program, Little Lambs, Cintas, and Kroger.

• GEAR instructor will work with the student at the end of year 1 or beginning of year 2 to apply to competitive integrated employment jobs in the community

• These jobs can be different hours and days (nights/weekends/holidays) than the year 1 students

• The GEAR instructor will be at the employment site to job coach with fading support (not daily)