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Goal

The goal of the Learning Independent Functional Employment (L.I.F.E.) program's employment training model is to provide students with learning challenges, authentic, hands-on supportive work experiences in a community-based setting to increase each student’s likelihood of obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment later in life. The objective of using "L.I.F.E. Bucks" to reward positive work-related behaviors and completed job tasks is to compensate the students for their hard work during their non-paid internship, while obtaining invaluable job skills at Royal Poinciana Golf Club.

 

What will be done with my students

Businesses and employers value employees who demonstrate an excellent work ethic. An important emphasis of the L.I.F.E. program is assisting students in developing the job skills needed to be an asset to any business. Each day that students incorporate essential job skills while successfully completing their morning and afternoon assigned job tasks, they will earn a “L.I.F.E. Buck”. These skills include; demonstrating a positive work attitude, following employer directions or instructions, requesting clarification as needed, completing a job task in a timely manner, dressing appropriately, and contacting the employer if late or absent from work. The students practice these skills in multiple hospitality departments at a private golf course, including; restaurants (front of the house/back of the house), purchasing, Human Resources, green and grounds (landscaping), floral, the tennis shop, golf shop/cart barn/driving range, Men’s Locker Room, and Women’s Locker Room. Since this is an unpaid structured work experience, students are rewarded and recognized for their hard work and daily demonstration of positive work behaviors through a Positive Behavior Support incentive system using the "L.I.F.E. Bucks" to compensate the students. The "L.I.F.E. Bucks" will be exchanged for a gift card to be used on a class shopping trip at the completion of each semester in January and May respectively.  

Benefits to my students

Without this program, many of our students would have limited opportunities for employment after graduating from high school. By having the opportunity to participate in our authentic structured work-study program in a community-based setting, students can train for and experience a variety of career options with guidance and assistance as needed. In addition, the L.I.F.E. program provides students with the chance to develop confidence, independence, social and communication skills, positive work ethics, functional academic skills, teamwork, and effective employability skills to become productive valued and respected citizens. The "L.I.F.E. Bucks" positive behavior incentive system results in a shopping trip, which reinforces the concept that demonstrating consistent, excellent work skills will increase your likelihood of obtaining and maintaining sustainable employment.  

Budget Narrative

Students have the ability to earn one "L.I.F.E. Buck" per work day to reinforce positive work-related behaviors and successfully completed job tasks. Workdays follow the Collier County Public School calendar. The "L.I.F.E. Bucks" are exchanged at the end of each semester for a gift card to be spent independently on a class Curriculum Based Instruction trip.
1st semester= 74 eligible work days x 10 students=$740
2nd semester= 88 eligible work days X 10 students= $880
 

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