Youth Transition Demonstration (YTD) Project Descriptions

COLORADO
Youth Work Incentive Network of Support (WINS)

The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center administered the Colorado Youth WINS project, which provided benefits counseling, consumer navigation, career counseling and individualized job development and placement. Three-person teams housed in local workforce centers provided services. The project enrolled 400 participants ages 14-25. The YTD services ended September 2009.
 
FLORIDA
The Broadened Horizons Brighter Futures Program (BHBF)

Abilities Inc. of Florida administers BHBF, which provides youths with disabilities with customized employment services. The project uses a combination of employment training, work experiences, and benefits counseling to promote employment. A partner organization, the Human Services Coalition, offers financial literacy training and connects interested youths to community based Individual Development Accounts. The project enrolled 400 participants, ages 16 to 22, who live in Miami-Dade County. YTD services ended March 2012.
 
MARYLAND
The Career Transition Program (CTP)

St. Luke’s House Inc. administers CTP, which provides individualized planning, mentoring, counseling, and support to youths with Severe Emotional Disabilities (SED). Services offered include job development, work-based experiences, linkages with community agencies, youth empowerment, and development of life skills. In addition, the program seeks to form alliances with and provide support and education for parents, counselors, teachers, and other referring sources, in support of the student. The project enrolled 400 participants who were Montgomery County high school juniors and seniors with SED. YTD services ended March 2012.

NEW YORK
CUNY Youth Transition Demonstration Project

The City University of New York (CUNY) administered this project, which provided planning, benefits counseling, vocational skills development, recreational activities, self-determination sessions, and parent-peer mentoring in workshops located on two CUNY campuses. It also provided summer work experiences. The project enrolled 400 17-year-old Bronx County students. The YTD services ended September 2009.

NEW YORK
Transition WORKS

The Erie 1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services and the New York State Department of Education administered Transition WORKS, which was a school-based project emphasizing self-advocacy and person-centered planning for youth and families located in Erie County. Services offered included job placement, work experience, intensive case management, transition planning, career exploration, and benefits counseling. The project enrolled 400 youths, ages 14-25. The YTD services ended September 2009.

WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia Youth Works

Human Resource Development Foundation, Inc. and the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities partner to administer West Virginia Youth Works, which provides customized services and supports to SSI recipients, ages 15 to 25, in 19 counties. Services include assessment, planning, work experiences, job development, job placement support, benefits planning and counseling, and job retention services. The project enrolled 404 youths. YTD services ended March 2012.