Junior Achievement of Washington Partners with the WA State Department of Social and Health Services for Special Workplace Readiness Programming

JA of Washington has launched a new and innovative partnership with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to provide workplace readiness training and work-based learning programs for students with special needs, aged 14-21. Working specifically with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), JA will be engaging with a sector of the student population not previously reached, and at a critical time when these students will need more assistance with preparing for and succeeding in a volatile job marketplace. 

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is a statewide resource assisting people with disabilities to prepare for, maintain, advance in, or regain employment. JA programs will be taught during regular school hours either in class, virtually, at partner company locations, or JA Education Centers. 

“We are so excited for the opportunity to serve this student population across Washington State through our partnership with DSHS DVR,” said Leah Katzer, Statewide Program Director for Junior Achievement of Washington. “JA will be able to bring life-changing financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship lessons and skills to students as they work on the big transitions through high school and into the rest of their lives. Through this partnership, JA will be able to expand our reach and deepen our impact on students in the most need of these critical life skills.” 
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“Washington DVR is excited to be partnering with the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving younger people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic successes, plan for their futures, and make sound employment choices,” said Tammie Doyl, DSHS DVR Transition Manager. “This collaboration will expand access and opportunities to students with disabilities across the state.”