general resources

VTA

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region. VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capital Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express. VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County. 

https://www.vta.org/

Department of Rehabilitation

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provide services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.

DOR administers the largest vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs in the country. Vocational rehabilitation services are designed to help job seekers with disabilities obtain competitive employment in integrated work settings. Independent living services may include peer support, skill development, systems advocacy, referrals, assistive technology services, transition services, housing assistance, and personal assistance services.

https://www.dor.ca.gov/

San Andreas Regional Center

San Andreas Regional Center is a community-based, private nonprofit corporation funded by the State of California to serve people with developmental disabilities as required by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act. The Lanterman Act is part of California law that sets out the rights and responsibilities of persons with developmental disabilities. San Andreas is one of 21 regional centers throughout California serving individuals and their families who reside within Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

San Andreas provides diagnostic and prevention services to help ameliorate developmental disabilities. Examples of such service includes amniocentesis, chorionic villus screening or genetic screening for pregnant woman. Chromosomal studies, and genetic counseling, are available to family members to determine hereditary conditions that may increase the risk for birthing a developmental disabled infant or to determine the cause of a disabling condition. These prevention services are available upon referral from a physician.

https://www.sanandreasregional.org/

Expandability

Expandability’s mission is to provide support and services that aim to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities by supporting and developing their abilities through advocacy and meaningful employment. 

https://expandability.org/

FUHSD CTE Courses

Career Technical Education (CTE) courses provide students with the skills they need to be successful in their postsecondary education and future career. Each CTE class offers students the opportunities to explore careers in industries that are thriving in our region. In addition, students apply skills learned in their “core academic” classes, giving them the competitive advantage of moving beyond theory and into practice. Students often work in teams to come up with solutions to real-world problems and demonstrate their learning by designing, building, or implementing the idea or product. Students share what they learn through presentations (sometimes to industry representatives), competitions, or with their peers. CTE courses provide students with leadership opportunities in industry-related clubs, Career Technical Student Organizations such as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) or DECA, and within the course itself.  

https://www.fuhsd.org/academics/curriculum/career-technical-education

JobTrain

JobTrain is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational and training institution accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Each of JobTrain’s programs combines vocational training, academics, and essential skills development, preparing students to turn their lives around—from unemployment and poverty to success and self-sufficiency. Strong partnerships with employers ensure that students receive the training they need for employment so that businesses can find motivated workers who are well trained for their jobs. 

https://www.jobtrainworks.org/

Job Corps

Job Corps’ mission is to educate and train highly-motivated young people for successful careers in the nation’s fastest-growing industries. At San Jose Job Corps Center, we support the Job Corps program’s mission to teach eligible young people the skills they need to become employable and independent and place them in meaningful jobs or further education. 

https://sanjose.jobcorps.gov/ 

SVCTE

Silicon Valley Career Technical Education offers state-of-the-art programs taught by industry professionals who engage students in rigorous, real-world academics and skills development designed to support their success through college and in their future careers. 

https://www.metroed.net/Domain/29

California Conservation Corps

Our program provides young adults 18 – 25 years old a year of paid service to the State of California. During their year of service, Corpsmembers work on environmental projects and respond to natural and man-made disasters. Through this work, they gain skills and experience that lead to meaningful careers. 

https://ccc.ca.gov/

National Guard

The National Guard is a unique element of the U.S. military that serves both community and country. The Guard responds to domestic emergencies, overseas combat missions, counterdrug efforts, reconstruction missions and more. Any state governor or the President of the United States can call on the Guard in a moment’s notice. Guard Soldiers hold civilian jobs or attend college while maintaining their military training part time. Guard Soldiers’ primary area of operation is their home state. 

https://www.nationalguard.com/

Trades Orientation Program

The Trades Orientation Program is a free, up to one-year program that will put you on the pathway to apprenticeship and a rewarding career in the high demand construction trades.

No experience is necessary, just a high school diploma or GED, reliable transportation, and the commitment to show up on time every day ready to work and to learn.

Women, youth (age 18+), U.S. veterans and under-represented minorities are highly encouraged to apply.

https://wpusa.org/programs/top/

Apprenticeship Program Information List

Apprenticeship is a system of learning while earning, and "learning by doing." It combines training on the job with related and supplemental instruction at school. Each program operates under apprenticeship training standards agreed to by labor and/or management in accordance with State and Federal laws, under which a person works with a skilled worker and gains on the job skills and "know-how". Check out the full list of apprenticeships available in California by county.

https://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/aigstart.asp

California CareerZone

The California CareerZone allows students to explore the world of work through a variety of activities. California CareerZone is designed so students can progress at their own pace. California CareerZone is great for allowing students to explore occupations and colleges to narrow down their choices, it doesn't make decisions for them. That decision will ultimately depend on many factors and discussing these with your child can help them tremendously. 

https://www.cacareerzone.org/

CA Department of Education: Secondary Transition Planning

Resources and guidelines for educators, parents and agencies that will assist transition age youth identify and move toward their postsecondary goals in the area of employment. 

https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/st/employment.asp

CaliforniaColleges.edu

CaliforniaColleges.edu is the State of California’s official college and career planning platform. Lessons and tools help students discover goals for life after high school, make plans to achieve them, and launch their futures. It’s free for California 6th - 12th grade students, their parents, and educators. 

https://www.californiacolleges.edu/#/

California Career Resource Network

The California Department of Education’s California Career Resource Network (CalCRN) program provides career development information and resources to support the development of critical career self-management skills necessary for success in today's world of work. 

https://www.californiacareers.info/

Senior Binder

Click here to access your copy.