The School to Work Alliance Program is governed by an annual Interagency Agreement that runs from July 1 through June 30. Each year, a Verification for Participation (VFP) must be completed by participating Districts/BOCES, reviewed and approved by the State SWAP Team prior to proceeding through the State’s procurement process.  During the review process, the State SWAP Team considers the provisions and performance outcomes from previous years for each contract. 

• Mid-January
  VFP instructional teleconference

• Mid-February
  VFPs due to the State SWAP Team from Districts/BOCES

• March
  Review and discussion of submitted VFPs by the State SWAP Team with Districts/BOCES

• April
  Contracts processed by CDLE Procurement
  Local SWAP Teams present contracts to Boards for review

• May
  Contracts electronically sent to District/BOCES Board Presidents for signature

• May/June
  Signed contracts returned to CDLE Procurement and routed through the State for required approvals 

• July 1
  Fully executed contracts emailed to participating Districts/BOCES

Districts or BOCES interested in participating in the School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP) should contact a member of the State SWAP Team to request an administrative orientation meeting.

Key participants in this meeting should include:

• Superintendent 

• Special Education Director

• Chief Financial Officer

• Human Resources Representative 

• Other relevant educational partners 

• Local DVR Supervisor

The VFP will be reviewed by a team from DVR and CDE, who will evaluate applications based on the following criteria: 

• Existing collaboration between the local education agency and the local DVR office 

• DVR's capacity to support the program based on available resources

• The district’s or BOCES’ capacity to sustain the program in relation to enrollment trends

• The existing transition continuum within the district/BOCES to ensure SWAP complements, rather than replaces, education’s transition requirements under Section B of IDEA 

• Potential for development of career pathways aligned with local, emerging industries