DIF Pathways to Partnerships Grant

Working together with our partners, the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development received a $10 million 5-year grant to build a project that creates a new way for us to help kids and young people with disabilities get ready for life after school. This includes preparing for future careers, living on their own, and planning for their futures. The overarching project goal is: Increase the number of Alaska youth and other individuals with disabilities who are competitively employed through innovative and collaborative programs involving key agencies and organizations.

The following projects and pilot programs are being supported within this grant.

Youth Leadership Forum

The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) curriculum is a five-day training that utilizes various employment opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships while helping build soft skill necessary in the workplace.

Immersive Youth Aviation Academy

The Immersive Youth Aviation Academy (IYAA) is a two-week summer program for youth ages 12 and up to learn about careers in the aviation industry.

Youth Emergency Management Program

The Youth Emergency Management Program (YEMP) is intended to provide youth with disabilities the foundational knowledge and skills needed to explore careers in the field of emergency management and enhance overall employability.

Find more information about the Statewide Independent Living Council here. https://www.alaskasilc.org/

RecWORKS! is an innovative model that uses recreation as the vehicle to engage transition aged youth who experience disability and teaches the soft skills required for successful competitive, integrated employment.

Find more information about Southeast Alaska Independent Living here. https://www.sailinc.org/

Peer Power

Peer Power funds self-advocates to go into schools and speak to Special Education students about their future as it relates to employment. Find more information about Peer Power here. https://www.peerpower907.com/

Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a one-year, high school transition program for students with disabilities that provides training and education leading to employment. Find more information about Project SEARCH here. https://www.projectsearch.us/

Alaska Indigenous Transition Skills

Students in rural environments will learn to combine traditional subsistence activities and skills within their communities. Find more information about Alaska Indigenous Transition Skills here. https://sesa.org/resources/educational/alaska-traditional-transition-skills/

School and Youth Calculator

This project will add a School and Work Calendar and Youth Package to DB 101 for students receiving disability benefits to help explore how work may impact their benefits. Find more information about the School and Youth Calculator here. https://ak.db101.org/

Tapestry

The purpose of the TAPESTRY Postsecondary Transition Program is to provide students with a disability (ages 16 to 22) a college experience to develop their self-advocacy skills, social skills, and engage in career exploration that leads to employment in a career field or enrollment in a postsecondary educational program. Find more information about Tapestry here. https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-health/departments/center-for-human-development/tapestry/