My teen has special needs, are there vocational opportunities in the community that will help them gain independence as they get older?

Yes! The Grosse Pointe Public School System’s Special Education Transition Services Department supports students with disabilities by providing opportunities to gain pre-vocational and vocational training, learn work and social skills, and explore educational and employment opportunities to assist students in making a successful transition to living and working as independently as possible after leaving the public school system.

We partner with local restaurants, markets, and other businesses to create meaningful opportunities for students ages 16 and up. Secondary special education transition students learn a number of skills when they participate in work-based learning experiences. Not only do they learn the specific skills needed at a job site such as filing, stocking, and running a cash register, but these work-based learning experiences also teach students soft skills needed to be successful in the workplace. The American Speech Language Hearing Association describes soft skills as “the non-technical ‘people skills’…that help people secure and keep a job. They include skills related to professionalism, communication, a positive attitude and politeness, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.”

One example is the Green and Gold Café at Grosse Pointe North where special needs students run coffee and sweet shop, taking orders for delivery and providing walk-in service. Over the years the students have selected the name of the café, designed logos, and brainstormed additional products and ways to market their café. Students learn valuable pre-vocational skills such as taking orders, communicating with co-workers, customer service, making the product, inventory, and cleanup. The cafe also provides opportunities for social interactions with support from GPN’s KNOTS (Kids Need Opportunities to Socialize), a peer-to-peer group designed to support students with disabilities in different aspects throughout their North experience.

The Transition Services Department’s mission is to help families stay informed of ways to build independence and transition to life post public school. For more information follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GPPSS-Special-Education-Transition-Services-101782845747665 or contact Transition Services Coordinator Kimberly King M.A., CCC-SLP at kingk@gpschools.org.