All youth in Douglas County have access to unique educational opportunities that offer snapshots of career opportunities.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is more than a beautiful fall month. It also marks the 79th National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to celebrate the valuable contributions of individuals experiencing disabilities in the workforce. On a state level, Oregon is leading the way with programs that create meaningful jobs, thanks to its commitment as an Employment First state. This approach seeks to provide people of all abilities with opportunities to work in a competitive integrated employment setting.
Locally, Douglas Education Service District (ESD) partners with schools and families to help young people transition into the workforce. NDEAM is the perfect time to highlight work-based programs like Peer2Peer, a summer paid internship that gives high school students job experience at local businesses and agencies. Started in 2022 by Douglas ESD and South Umpqua School District, Peer2Peer trains youth mentors to coach their peers in the Youth Transition Program. This past summer, 40 students from South Umpqua and Sutherlin High Schools participated. Peer2Peer received funding from the Oregon Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Sean Radford is the assistant principal at Sutherlin High School and principal for Sutherlin Valley Online Academy (SVOA) and noted the impact of Peer2Peer. He shared that the program is a tremendous opportunity for students in the special education and general education programs, from leadership growth to real-world workplace exposure. “The professional and personal relationships all students had the opportunity to develop within our community will benefit them for years to come,” he said.
Beth Hunter, a youth development specialist for Douglas ESD, is working to expand Peer2Peer to more high schools, with a goal of making it available year-round. In her role, she helps teens across Douglas County plan life after high school by teaching them collaboration, self-advocacy, resume writing and interview skills. She also helps students discover their interests by finding the bridge between what students’ dreams are and what’s possible. She does this by introducing students to programs like Peer2Peer. “When kids have special opportunities, many say ‘I never thought that I would have enjoyed this,’” Hunter said.
Les Rogers, a transition network facilitator for Douglas ESD, works closely with Hunter. He also advocates for people experiencing disabilities through his role on various boards and councils. This former teacher explained that in addition to Peer2Peer, high school students have also participated in Career and Technical Education (CTE) events, called combines. These opportunities have provided hands-on experience for all interested students in fields like culinary arts, automotive, and construction. Typically lasting one or two days, these events were held at Umpqua Community College and Douglas High School. “The combines offer valuable opportunities for students experiencing disabilities to explore different careers, helping them build confidence and demonstrate their abilities to themselves and others,” he explained.
Hunter added, “The most rewarding part for our staff is watching all of the students bridge social gaps and gain friendships that can carry on after the program is over. Seeing students feel successful as they move toward their goals beyond high school is so fulfilling.”
Programs like Peer2Peer succeed thanks to partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, government agencies and UCC. Our community is also seeing more job coaching opportunities that offer personalized guidance. By fostering an inclusive environment, diverse talents enrich the workforce, driving innovation and understanding.