Partnership for People with Disabilities

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RPS-Project PEACE Work-Based Learning Business Overview

This guide outlines the Richmond City Public Schools and Project PEACE Work-Based Training (WBT) process. It is designed to support students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by connecting them to industry-relevant work experiences that can lead to future employment. Participating businesses benefit from early access to a diverse talent pipeline, demonstrate corporate social responsibility, and help shape the workforce of tomorrow.  

Stages of Work-Based Training & Business Roles

  1. Tour & Interview
  • Goal: Assess mutual fit between the student and the business.
  • Business Role & Benefits:  
    • Host an inclusive, strengths-based interview and workplace tour across departments.  
    • Welcome students while learning their strengths, interests, and communication style.  
    • Understand how to better support diverse candidates and accessibility.  
    • Identify and evaluate potential long-term talent early through interns.  
  1. Shadowing & Mentoring
  • Goal: Offer guided exposure to 2–4 job roles or departments.
  • Business Role & Benefits:  
    • Provide structured job shadowing with mentors.  
    • Build team leadership through inclusion.  
    • Promote interdepartmental engagement via diverse student placements.  
    • Adapt job functions for accessibility and efficiency.  
    • Assess internship fit across departments.  
  1. Supported Internship
  • Goal: Create a customized internship aligned with the student’s career goals.
  • Business Role & Benefits:  
    • Provide on-the-job training and supervision.  
    • Co-create an internship plan with educators and job coaches.  
    • Conduct midpoint checks and give ongoing feedback.  
    • Partner with coaches and schools to build inclusive onboarding and a culture of belonging.  
  1. Employment
  • Goal: Transition to employment if both parties agree.  
  • Business Role & Benefits:  
    • Finalize employment details and welcome new hires if there’s mutual interest.  
    • Support alternative employment planning if it’s not a match.  
    • Lead inclusive hiring practices and set a sector example for employers.  

RPS-Project PEACE Work-Based Training Process (Flowchart)

  1. START: Before HQWB Training, identify career goals, connect to employment supports, and secure a business partner.
  2. Onsite Interview & Workplace Tour: Department/role overview (Duration: 2 hours, 1 day).
    • Decision Point: Do the student and business have mutual interest in moving forward with the student-led WBT?
      • No: Return to Start.
      • Yes: Proceed to Job Shadowing.
  3. Job Shadowing: Shadow across 2–4 departments/roles to make informed decisions on an internship development proposal (Duration: 16 hours, up to 4 days).
    • Decision Point: Do the student and business have mutual interest in moving forward with the student-led WBT?
      • No: Return to Start.
      • Yes: Proceed to Mentorship & Internship.
  4. Mentorship & Internship: Establish a mentorship between student and an employee & implement an internship (Duration: 2–4 Weeks).
    • Decision Point: Does the student & business want to pursue an employment opportunity?
      • No: Return to Start.
      • Yes: Transition to SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT.

Roles & Responsibilities

Youth / Student Role

  • Practice job and soft skills.
  • Explore career interests and advocate for needs.
  • Communicate needs and ask questions.
  • Reflect on growth and improvement areas.
  • Be punctual, committed, and take initiative.

Family Role

  • Support workplace readiness and advocacy.  
  • Communicate with educators and job coaches.  
  • Ensure reliable transportation and scheduling.  
  • Assist with reflections and career exploration.  
  • Cheer the student on throughout the process!  

Employer Role

  • Provide meaningful tasks and schedule.  
  • Assign mentors and foster inclusion.  
  • Give constructive feedback and increase responsibility over time.  
  • Foster inclusion, mentorship, and career growth.  

Job Coach Role

  • Support training and goal setting.  
  • Promote student independence.  
  • Track progress and adjust strategies.  
  • Educate employers on inclusion.  
  • Coach workplace and career readiness skills.  

Teacher / Staff Role

 

  • Coordinate with employers and job coaches.  
  • Teach job, soft, and self-determination skills.  
  • Connect classroom lessons to work experiences.  
  • Track progress, adjust goals, and teach professionalism.  
  • Align training with long-term goals.  

 

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