Harrison School’s Special Services Department places high significance on preparing our students with special needs, striving to educate and prepare them for their futures in the best ways possible. Through Arkansas Rehabilitation Services' WOLF (Work-Based Opportunities Lead to Future Employment) program, Harrison Schools provides essential Pre-Employment Transition Services for our students. This vital program is designed to promote competitive, integrated employment once students exit high school.
The program is a hands-on experience! Eligible students with an IEP or 504 Plan are able to work up to seven hours weekly, earning the prevailing Arkansas minimum wage of $11.00 per hour. The goal is for students to complete a minimum of 20 hours of paid work, or service learning, and 6 additional work-based learning activities per semester.
Harrison Schools Special Services has worked diligently to create diverse "student enterprises" across our campuses to provide these crucial work opportunities, giving students on-the-job training, life skills, work skills, and a paycheck!
Our current enterprises are making a real difference for our students and our community:
Community Services: Students provide laundry services for families in need, organize our district clothing closet, and stock our food pantry.
Student Backpack Program: Students efficiently pack and deliver food bags to campuses.
High School Entrepreneurs: Students at Harrison High School successfully operate a coffee cart.
Middle School Entrepreneurs: Students at Harrison Middle School operate a "tea and treats" cart.
"Transition services prepare our students for life after high school. We want them to understand the value of a paycheck and feel good about themselves through work and contribution,” stated Brenda Landrum, Assistant Director of Special Education.
Budgeting skills, job skills, and many other necessary attributes are taught through these meaningful experiences. While the work to organize, manage, and implement this program can be daunting, our incredible team members like Tammi Smith and Rhonda Tollett are up to the challenge, facilitating the program beautifully.
We are excited about the future! "Our goal is to grow our student-led campus enterprises to provide more and more work opportunities for students," added Ms. Landrum.
We want to say THANK YOU to our Harrison Schools Special Services team. This program embodies our district mission: "Building the Future: Every Learner. Every Day. Every Way."