The Supported Youth Employment Program (SYEP), a branch of the employment assistance program, was initiated in the summer of 1987 in response to the fact that very few disabled employment clients were being hired due to absolutely no "job readiness skills" and often a "learned" dependence on the welfare system. The first summer, one job coach was hired to accompany a client to the job site, assist with training and set up natural supports, e.g., employees who give verbal cues once the job coach leaves. (The goal of a job coach is to work themselves "out" of a job.) Employers have "buy in" to this concept because they don’t commit to an inordinate amount of time in training, supervision and maintenance.
The area of focus is on disabled clients 13 - 21 years of age. The 13 - 15 year old group is taught job readiness skills in the classroom; also they job shadow employees from various professions; and they participate in actual work experience activities. The 16 - 21 year old students are placed at appropriate job sites where community businesses are used as a training ground for students to practice the skills set out for vocational training by the Colorado State Department of Education. Job coaches are utilized with Special Education students who need additional time to learn how to function in the work environment, i.e., culture of the company, appropriate dress and behavior, essential skills for the task assigned, time management, transportation to and from work site and money management skills. The program goal is meaningful employment for every student who is intellectually and physically able to provide a service by working. The plan to achieve this end consists of the following objectives.