The half-day work-study program, known as the Vocational Enrichment Program, is designed for students ages 16-21 years old interested in understanding careers and essential skills needed in the workplace. Students in the program will attend for half of their school day, for either a morning or afternoon session. The VEP emphasizes vocational and job acquisition skills and is designed to prepare students for entry into the workforce. Program curriculum focuses on employability skills as well as academic skills necessary within many jobs - Diversified Occupations, Consumer Math, Applied English and Communication, and Workplace Science. All classes focus on abilities and skills necessary for future employability. Students will learn many of these skills through hands-on practice in the VEP’s site-based coffee shop, The CoCo Cafe and Gallery, as well as through a job placement within the community where they will work under the supervision of a job coach. Through both experiences in the Cafe and the job placements, students receive on-the-job training opportunities, encouraging attitudes and habits which meet employment standards. Students will receive a stipend for their job through the work-study program. Students exit the VEP with a well-developed portfolio that may be utilized upon seeking employment, or added to if enrolling in the Full-Day, Work-Study Program.

Student Profile: Students enrolled in this program typically demonstrate ELA and Math skills at the 1st to 4th grade levels. Most students are working towards Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential (SACC) or the Career Development and Occupational Studies Credential (CDOS). Students require the ability to interact at a social/emotional level that does not require consistent adult supervision. The typical student demonstrates the ability to build upon their academic and social experiences.