Success Story
Idaho City School District
“We worked with three businesses this year and the goal for next year is to go to a different business each week. There is a great need for employees in our community, and partnering with IDVR for the Summer Work Program has provided the business community the help that they needed.” – Chelsey Campbell, SPED Teacher at Idaho City School District
Story
Idaho City Schools learned about the ability to collaborate with IDVR to provide a School District Summer Work Program while attending the Transition Institute in 2023, which was geared towards increasing collaboration between IDVR and School Districts. • During the 23-24 School Year, Idaho City High School began to work with their VR Counselor, Mackenzy, to create a summer program for their students a reality for the 2024 summer.
“I really enjoy working in the back, food prepping because it is enjoyable work without a lot of pressure.” – Jill Joslin, Idaho City Student & IDVR Customer
Through collaboration between Mackenzy and Idaho City, it was identified that the champion for this district program, would be one of their teachers, Chelsey.
IDVR partnered with Chelsey to develop and implement the soft skills training portion of the School District Summer Work program by providing the curriculum and support to develop the training outline.
Together, Mackenzy and Chelsey collaborated with employers in the community to develop work-based learning sites in the community where students can participate and gain work experience.
Because of this program, 5 students, including Jill from Idaho City High School were able to complete a work experience over the summer during the first year of this program with Basin School District.
“It was wonderful seeing real life work readiness training in action, where school staff were modeling and assisting the kids with inquiring about job openings, managing their hours, following up on job applications, receiving feedback, and making connections in the community with employers.” – Mackenzy Starkey, Counselor
“In Idaho City I witnessed ‘Teamwork makes the Dream work!’ with IDVR working with the teachers and students, teachers collaborating with the community for job opportunities, and then the students being able to take advantage of those opportunities, gaining work experience, and even leading to employment.”- Jill Simpson, IDVR Counselor Intern