WESTMORELAND
INTERMEDIATE UNIT
TRANSITION PROGRAM
Program History and Overview
The Work Discovery program, run by the
Westmoreland Intermediate Unit #7,
was started in 2004. The program
assists students who are 16 to 21 years
old and enrolled in Special Education
classes to experience the work
environment in a community-based
vocational training program.
The program teaches marketable work
and social skills to acquire and maintain
employment after graduation. The focus
is to develop job readiness and retention
skills, cooperation, conflict resolution,
and career exploration. Students train in
retail support, building maintenance,
janitorial, housekeeping, and hotel
support services in community settings.
During the student’s final year of school,
assistance is given to secure and
maintain paid employment in their home
community. This process eases the
transition from school to work through
coaching, behavioral support and
mobility training.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Westmoreland
Intermediate Unit is to provide
Resources, Education, Assistance, and
Leadership to our community.
PROGRAM GOALS
* To assess the physical and mental
requirements for work readiness and
vocational training.
* To offer training on identified job tasks
in a community setting.
* To experience first hand the work
environment through observation and
supported experimentation.
* To broaden the knowledge and skill
level to students for increased vocational
independence.
* To identify the barriers for adult
independence.
* To establish the linkage to community
services and vocational supports.
* To link work-based curriculum,
instruction and assessment.
COMMUNITY-BASED
ASSESSMENT
A systematic gathering of information
about a student’s competencies, skills,
use of accommodations, and other
information to determine what course of
action needs to be taken to assist the
student to obtain and maintain
employment. Upon completion of the
assessment, a report is written and
distributed to all members of the I.E.P.
team. This type of assessment is for
students with the social and vocational
skills acceptable to the general public.
For students who lack the social and
vocational skills to be in the public, other
assessment can occur in an in-school
setting.
CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS
The Work Discovery program’s success
is measured by the number of
participants who graduate from high
school, proceed to employment or
further training at another postsecondary education.
Post school placement into community
employment has happened with Giant
Eagle, Wendy’s restaurants, Four Points
by Sheraton, Kmart, Wal-Mart, USI
maintenance services and Sam’s Club.
WORK DISCOVERY PARTNERS
Clairview School
JCPenney Corporation
Four Points by Sheraton
Christian Layman
Greensburg Hempfield Library
Humane Society Westmoreland County
World of Value (WOW)
Bishop Connare Conference Center
Our Lady of Grace Parish
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR
THE TRANSITION FROM
SCHOOL TO WORK
American Red Cross
McDonalds and King’s Family restaurant
WESTMORELAND INTERMEDIATE UNIT
102 EQUITY DRIVE
GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA 15601-7190
(724) 836-2460
WORK DISCOVERY OFFICE
PHONE: (724) 836-2460 Ext.2359
JOB COACH MENTORS
Ms. Mary Petrina
Ms. Lyn Marchwinski
TRANSITION COORDINATOR
Ms. Christine Fiorina
cfiorina@wiu.k12.pa.us
(724) 836-2460 Ext. 2332
JOB COACHES
Ms. Emily Dolecki
Ms. Cindy King
Ms. Heidi Miller
Ms. Susan Shuster
(724) 836-2460 Ext. 2358
Westmoreland Intermediate Unit
http://www.wiu.k12.pa.us/Special Education