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The goal of the Learning Independent Functional Employment (L.I.F.E.) program employment training model is to provide students with learning challenges, authentic, hands-on supportive work experiences in a community based setting to increase each student’s likelihood of obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment in later life.

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"L.I.F.E. Bucks" for Positive Behavior- Work Incentive Trip

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School:
Barron Collier High 
Subject:
Special Needs Students 
Teacher:
Gina Manville DeJager 
Students Impacted:
15 
Grade:
12 
Date:
August 20, 2018

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

 

Ray Sutton McGehee Foundation - $1,027.00

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Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 13

“Learning Independent Functional Employment (L.I.F.E.) Bucks” for Positive Behavior- Work Incentive Trip

 

The initial projection hoped to benefit fifteen students total for both semesters, which was based on expected enrollment. Thirteen students received Target gift cards through this grant for this semester.

 

The key outcomes of the project were that students with learning challenges who demonstrated an excellent work ethic over the course of a semester through the L.I.F.E. program employment training model were rewarded for their efforts by receiving a Target gift card to go shopping with. Students learned that in order to earn their daily “L.I.F.E. buck” they had to follow supervisor’s directions, request clarification when needed, dress appropriately, maintain proper hygiene, complete tasks in a timely manner, and contact their teacher if late or absent from work. Their work opportunities were provided through an authentic, hands-on supported work experience site at The Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. Their job tasks are completed in several departments, including; two restaurants, the beach bar, pool bar, cafeteria, housekeeping, tennis, spa, purchasing, room service and human resources.

 

For the Curriculum Based Instruction (CBI) Target experience, students looked in the weekly flyer and on the internet to create a shopping list. While in the store, they made choices and problem solved to decide how many items they could purchase with their earned amount and returned products to the shelves, which they could not afford at that time. They checked their own items out at the register with minimal support. This positive reward system helped develop independence, confidence, social communication skills, positive work ethic, task completion skills and other effective skills to become productive and valued citizens. This project will also increase the likelihood of each student obtaining and maintaining employment later in life. We are grateful to our donors for providing the funding to reward our students for the invaluable skills they have obtained.

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Shopping with friends

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Checking my list!

 

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Original Grant Overview

Goal

The goal of the Learning Independent Functional Employment (L.I.F.E.) program employment training model is to provide students with learning challenges, authentic, hands-on supportive work experiences in a community based setting to increase each student’s likelihood of obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment in later life. 

 

What will be done with my students

Businesses and employers value employees who demonstrate an excellent work ethic. An important emphasis of the L.I.F.E. program is assisting students in developing the job skills needed to be a productive team worker. Each work day that students incorporate essential job skills while successfully completing their morning and afternoon assigned job tasks, they will earn “L.I.F.E. Bucks”. These skills include; demonstrating a positive work attitude, following employer directions or instructions, requesting clarification as needed, completing a job task in a timely manner, dressing appropriately for the task, and contacting your employer if late or absent from work. Since this is an unpaid internship work experience, students are rewarded and recognized for their hard work and daily demonstration of positive work behaviors through a Positive Behavior Incentive system using the L.I.F.E. bucks. The L.I.F.E. bucks will be exchanged for a Target gift card to be used on a shopping trip to Target at the completion of each semester in December and May respectively. 

 

Benefits to my students

Typically, many of the students in this program have limited opportunities for job success after graduating from high school. By having the opportunity to participate in an authentic structured work-study program in a community based setting, students can experience a variety of career areas where they can enjoy their work and be successful, with assistance as needed. In addition, the L.I.F.E. program provides students with the chance to develop confidence, social and communication skills, work ethics, functional academic skills, teamwork, and effective employability skills to become productive valued citizens. The L.I.F.E. bucks positive behavior incentive system results in a Target shopping trip, which reinforces the concept that demonstrating consistent, excellent work skills will increase your likelihood of obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment. 

 

Budget Narrative

Students have the ability to earn one L.I.F.E. buck per work day to reinforce positive behavior and successfully completed job tasks . Work days follow the Collier County Public School calendar. The L.I.F.E. bucks are exchanged for a gift card to be used at Target.
1st semester= 80 work days x 12 students= $960.00
2nd semester= 79 work days X 13 potential students= $1027.00 

 

Items

# Item Cost
1 2nd semester= 79 work days X 13 potential students $1,027.00
  Total: $1,027.00

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Special Thanks to Our Presenting Partners

Suncoast Credit Union