1 S chool to W ork A lliance P rogram SWAP A Presentation for Community Employers It’s About Employment!

2 What is SWAP? A partnership between the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the Colorado Department of Education, & Local School Districts

3 Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) DVR assists individuals whose disabilities result in barriers to employment  Preparing for a job  Getting a job  Doing a job  Keeping the job

4 Local School Districts SWAP can be found in  45 sites within Colorado  Covering over 150 school districts

5 Purpose of SWAP: To prepare young adults for employment opportunities and achieve work success!

6 Linking SWAP Participants to Community Employers Community Employers are important to this partnership  Your expertise and influence is invaluable!

7 Why Hire Youth with Disabilities? Positively impacts your bottom line Gives you access & knowledge to benefits & resources Investing in your community’s future

8 Positively Impacts Your Bottom Line Increase employee retention Hire employees trained with the skills you need Support available for the first 15 months, at least

9 Increase Employee Retention Employee turnover can be expensive The cost of a single turnover ranges from 93% to 200% of the employees annual salary (Griffeth & Hom, 2001)

10 Hire Employees Trained with the Skills You Need SWAP has assisted approximately 7000 youth in becoming valued employees involving local companies such as yours statewide.

11 Employers Gain Benefits & Resources Ongoing follow-up Training Knowledge Increase diversity in the workforce Consultation on disability-related workplace issues Incentives Disability Awareness Training Prescreened applicants

12 What can SWAP do for you? Access to financial hiring incentives  Small Business Tax Credit  Disabled Access Credit  Barrier Removal Credit  Work Opportunity Tax Credit Bonding Other financial programs which your business may qualify for through DVR  On The Job Training  Stipends

13 Investing in the Future of Your Community Business advisory groups Mentorship opportunities Interview experience Hands on work experience Informational interviews

14 Your turn… What questions do you have?

15 Local Contact Information SWAP  Karie Probasco and Janet Brophy  DVR 

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