PREPARING
STUDENTS FOR
THE TRANSITION
FROM SCHOOL TO
WORK
Work Discovery Partners
Bishop Connare Conference
Center
Bridal Blooms Floral Shop
Christian Layman Resale Store
Excela Health
Administrative Office
Latrobe Hospital
Westmoreland Hospital
Greensburg-Hempfield Library
Humane Society of
Westmoreland County
JCPenney Corp./Prestige, Inc.
Pressley Ridge Administrative
Office
Ramada Hotel
Rose’s Store (Clothing & Home)
WESTMORELAND INTERMEDIATE UNIT
102 EQUITY DRIVE
GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 15601-7190
JOB COACH MENTORS
Ms. Mary Petrina
[email protected]
(724) 219-2358
Ms. Lyn Marchwinski
[email protected]
(724) 219-2359
World of Values (WOW)
Westmoreland IU 7
Early Intervention Classrooms
Clairview School
JOB COACHES
Ms. Lisa Holleran
Ms. Kelly Hetrick
Ms. Kayla Messenger
Ms. Heidi Miller
Ms. Susan Shuster
Westmoreland Intermediate
Unit
http://www.wiu.k12.pa.us/
Program History and Overview
ELIGIBILITY
The Work Discovery program, run by the
Westmoreland Intermediate Unit #7, was
started in 2004. The program assists students who are 16 to 21 years old and
have a current IEP to experience what is
required to work in a community-based
vocational training program.
Small groups of students (5-7) go to the
community setting with a trained job
coach where they learn marketable work
and social skills needed to acquire and
maintain employment after graduation.
The focus is development of readiness
and job retention skills, professionalism,
conflict resolution, and career exploration. Students train in retail support,
food service, entry level clerical, teacher’s assistant, building maintenance, janitorial, housekeeping, and hotel support
services in community settings. Students
receive a small training stipend while
they are training.
Each 9-week grading period, students are
evaluated on 24 key elements of work
performance and behavior. Evaluations
are reviewed with the student to highlight progress and set goals for areas
needing improvement. Evaluations are
also shared with school district staff and
parents.
Students are evaluated individually.
However, the following criteria are used
to determine readiness for community
training.
Students must be at least 16 years of age
and enrolled in school.
Student must be able to display behavior
appropriate to public work environment.
Program Goals
 To assess the physical and mental require-
ments for work readiness in a community
setting.
Student must be able to communicate
with job coach and be able to understand and follow instructions/directions.
Since this is a VOLUNTARY program, students must be invested in the learning
experience and motivated to improve.
 To offer training on specific job tasks.
 To experience the work environment di-
rectly with supported instruction.
 To broaden the knowledge and skills of stu-
dents for increased vocational independence.
 To establish linkage to community services
and vocational supports.
 To link work-based curriculum to instruc-
tion and assessment.
SUCCESS STORIES
Work Discovery has assisted students to
gain competitive employment at Giant
Eagle , Wendy’s, Ramada Hotel, Kmart,
Prestige Inc., Blue Chip 2000, Lowe’s
Warehouse, Shop-N-Save, Cooleys’ Day
Care, Eat ’n Park, McDonald’s Restaurant, Westmoreland Humane Society,
Ligonier Tavern, and Sam’s Club.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit is to provide Resources, Education, Assistance, and Leadership to our community.