Futures in Focus
Planning for the future can be a daunting experience, especially for students who aren’t familiar with the potentially limitless number of career opportunities that exist. As high school students look toward graduation, understanding career options and postsecondary requirements is crucial. In order to take advantage of programs available in high school, exposure and exploration must begin in middle school.
The Able Trust is launching a new program — Futures in Focus — for students with disabilities, ages 12-22. We have an almost 30-year history of supporting Florida’s youth with disabilities through High School High Tech, a comprehensive career and postsecondary exploration program for high school students with disabilities, and we are excited to be able to expand career exploration opportunities to more Florida students.
Futures in Focus is being launched in partnership with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. The Consortium champions Florida’s robust network of local education foundations aligned with nearly every county-wide school district. Their mission is to work with their members and partners to connect individuals, organizations and financial resources, building the capacity and effectiveness of local education foundations.
Approximately 600 students with disabilities will be included in this initial program launch in DeSoto, Dixie, Flagler, Hernando, Jackson, Lake, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.
Futures in Focus is based on the principles and framework of the Guideposts for Success, which are nationally research- and evidenced-based.
Futures in Focus is intended to support students from grades 6 to 12 (aged 12-22) who have a disability documented by an IEP or 504 Plan. The program goals are to:
- Introduce students with disabilities to postsecondary and career opportunities through in-person experiences in their local communities.
- Connect students with disabilities to Florida’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation leading to increased pre-employment support.
- Increase student participation in school-based CTE courses, and
- Increase high school graduates’ enrollment in postsecondary options.
We are thrilled to collaborate with The Able Trust on the Futures in Focus program. This initiative offers a transformative opportunity for our students with disabilities in communities around the state, and we are eager to see the positive impacts.
Get Involved with High School
High Tech
There are a variety of ways to get involved in your local High School High Tech program:
- Volunteer to speak to the students on the skills that are important to your business.
- Offer to give students a tour of your business to highlight career opportunities.
- Sponsor your local Project Venture team.
For information, or to find out how to help support the High School High Tech program in your area, contact Coleen Agner at [email protected].
High School High Tech Tours and Activities
