Andy Morningside has been serving students through the School-to-Work program in Thurston County, since 1992. Currently, we have school district partners at the following Transition programs: Tumwater School District: LINCS, Yelm Community Schools: Site house, North Thurston School District: VOICE, Olympia School District: Roberta Dee House, Tenino High School: Transition Program & Rochester High School.

Though the number fluctuates each year, we serve approximately 15-20 students.

The process for a School-to-Work student who initiates employment services is very similar to other job seekers that enter into service with Morningside.

1). Intake: General information is gathered and funding is determined by school district, Thurston County & DVR. 2). Discovery: Students discover work interests, skills, capacities with the help of Morningside staff & Transition staff. Students participate in Person Centered Planning, job tours & gain soft skill training (in Job Club). 3). Internships: Students are matched with Internship sites, or new sites are developed to match their interests & partner with Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). 4). Job Development: Students and Morningside staff seek to find paid work, based on what they learned and experienced throughout the school year. 5). Training: Once a job is obtained, the level of support needed is determined by the student and their team (DVR, Thurston County, Morningside staff, residential supports/family). Morningside is then contracted to provide that desired level of support to result in a successful training period. 6). Long Term Supports: After the initial training period is over, individuals may determine that they need ongoing job coaching support where they would enter into Employment Services through Thurston County.

For more information on Morningside’s role in School-To-Work: Thurston County, email us or visit their website.