Community Based Vocational Training (CBVT)

A Couple of Success Stories

by Shelley Lang

Community based vocational training (CBVT) programs offer students with disabilities innovating and meaningful access to the world of work.  A well-managed program will provide hands-on experience that promotes realistic career planning and, ideally, eventual employment.  In addition to learning specific job skills, CBVT students gain the confidence and independence skills needed for successful employment.

            With the cooperation of some of Marion County's finest business leaders, retailers, dedicated staff, and students eager to work, Forest High School's CBVT program fulfills it's mission superbly.  While most of our students are enthusiastic and motivated, some stand out for exceptional achievement and exemplify the goals of CBVT.

            John is an exceptionally shy student whose lack of basic social skills and cognitive impairments made him an unlikely candidate for employment.  But John was very motivated to find work.  Through his CBVT experience, John learned proper behaviors, such as initiative, making eye contact, reliability, teamwork, and even basic hygiene.  John learned how to accept criticism, take direction, and deal with co-workers who suffer the usual human foibles.  Eventually, the workers to whom John was assigned accepted him as an equal and anticipated his help on the days his class went to the work site.  The manager of the establishment noticed how well he performed his duties.  She worked with John and his teachers until John was able to fulfill all the job functions and skills required by that position.  Today, he is one of their hardest working, most reliable employees.

            Chelsea is an independent-minded young woman who is profoundly deaf.  She exhibited moodiness and behaviors that are incompatible with a working environment.  Although such behaviors are often due to living in a world which does not communicate easily with the deaf, Chelsea needed to deal with her emotions and frustrations in a positive way.  On-the-job-training opened Chelsea's eyes to this reality.  Chelsea very reluctantly went to work in a restaurant whose management is very supportive of the ideals and goals of CBVT.

            As a student in the CBVT program, Chelsea was able to benefit from the unique support the program provides, particularly by having the services of a sign language interpreter.  Through the interpreter, management communicated the procedures, rules, regulations as well as the expectations and job functions required by the workplace.  Chelsea, her teachers, interpreter, co-workers and supervisors have all worked together to develop and implement ways to communicate.  Eventually Chelsea was hired to work some evenings and weekends.

            Although Chelsea attends different CBVT job sites during the remainder of the term, she still benefits from the support of her CBVT team.  Situations that occur during work shifts are worked out with the participation of Chelsea and her "support team".  Through the CBVT program, Chelsea discovered that she loves cooking and baking.  Next year, Chelsea would like to co-enroll in a Culinary Arts Certification Program.  And there is no doubt that Chelsea will realize her goals.