S.E.T. enhances experiences for many area students
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STEUBENVILLE -- Jefferson County youth can learn of opportunities for their future as the Student Empowerment Tour ramps up for a fifth year, and now officials have some extra tools to enhance the experience.
S.E.T., as it is known, was established in 2018 and visits county schools to showcase options in post-secondary education and employment through immersive sessions with officials from the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities Employment Services; Eastern Gateway Community College's Enrollment Services, Career Services and Workforce Department; and the Jefferson County Community Action Council. The program is geared toward junior high and high school students with individualized education plans and gives them some extra support to transition into the community as they reach adulthood.
Leaders said the addition of the CAC includes some high-tech offerings for students to pursue potential fields of interest.
"We are back for 2023-24," said JCBDD Employment and Community Navigator Cookie West. "It's exciting. We have created this team and we have great synergy. This year we are energized to add a new agency."
The S.E.T. team includes Renee Pastre-Hanlin and Angela Goodrich of JCBDD's Community Employment Services, and Chris Hoover, Leanna Lulla and Amelia Taggart of EGCC, and this year added Kelcea Danielson, CCMEP case manager for the JCCAC. West said Danielson and the CAC staff had collaborated with the multi-agency transition youth team for the last three years and have provided a valuable connection.
"The program has virtual reality headsets that will add an incredible experience to the session offered to students, it will give students a reality check as they prepare, plan, perform and prosper into their future," she added. "We always look to evolve and make interactions relevant and current. Our goal is to bring fresh and interactive options to the students. We want them to have an opportunity to see what's out there and what it takes to obtain and retain employment and advance in 21st century workforce."
The S.E.T. team held a kickoff meeting in September to plan another year of sessions and provide extra supports to students transition from high school into adulthood. Sessions were held at Edison Junior-Senior. High School on Oct. 5 and Indian Creek Middle School on Oct. 26 with more set for Buckeye Local on Nov. 2, Harding Middle School on Nov. 16 and Toronto on Nov. 30. West said another may be planned at Quest Alternative School in Steubenville.
"This interactive experience is suited for transition students in grades seven through 10. We identify transition students as those who have IEP's due to physical, intellectual, sensory or mental health reasons," West explained. "Our team is strongly convinced that with the right services and supports, all students can succeed in their next phases of life, whether in employment or post-secondary education. We have been touring local school districts for about four years and we look forward to sharing and learning from them and bringing an experience that will make a lasting impression."