Association for Career and Technical Education

Special Needs Division

1999 VALPAR Outstanding Special Needs Program Awards

Gaining Independence for Transition Success (GIFTS) Program, Granite School District, Salt Lake City Utah.

The program administrator: Jeff Rydalch.

GIFTS is a postsecondary transition program designed to help students reach their full potential and provide skills necessary for smooth transition from a school setting to a community setting. The GIFTS Mission Statement is: "to provide a customized plan of action which empowers each student to make a successful transition from the traditional high school environment to become a successful contributing member of society".

Outstanding Secondary Special Needs Program

Continental Project, Flagstaff Unified School District No. One in Flagstaff, AZ.

The project director is Stephanie Rust.

In 1992 the Continental project was launched with the goal of using work opportunities, found in partnership with the Continental country Club to focus on vocational, behavioral, and interpersonal skills for students with special education needs. The Continental project provides supported work adjustment training in a competitive employment environment. The program coordinators chose to partner with the hospitality industry, as it is a major employer both locally and statewide. The industry also offers a tremendous variety of entry-level pathways, with the potential for advancement and transference to other community business opportunities. A second business, Mountain Country management (a time share/rental maintenance business) also joined the partnership. As the partnership between school and business evolved additional community members joined the partnership.

The Flagstaff School District extended school year funds for staff wages, with the Country Club as a work site and JTPA funds for student wages, the Continental Project became a year-round vocational program.