Secondary Transition to Employment Program (STEP) - (Career and Transition Services)
A collaborative effort among FCPS staff and businesses in Fairfax County to provide students aged 18 to 22 with employment training in real work settings.
STEP is for students aged 18-22 with disabilities who need a modified curriculum. The STEP program curriculum focuses on career and life skills. Students spend the majority of their day working on employment-related skills. Students may spend up to 5 hours per day on a job site. STEP students also take part in work-based learning activities. Work-based learning consists of a range of options, including:
- Visits to businesses
- Job shadowing
- Situational assessments
- Paid and unpaid community work experiences
- Internships
STEP Program Goals
- Prepare students for competitive employment at the highest level of independence possible.
- Expand opportunities for students whose postsecondary goal is employment.
- Build independent living skills through community trips and life skills instruction.
STEP instructors support students by:
- Providing career and independent living skills training to students with disabilities.
- Helping students with the transition to a variety of postsecondary options.
- Providing students with self-determination, independent living, and workplace readiness skills instruction.
- Coordinating the transition of all students with adult service providers.
Instruction takes place in a wide range of environments, including:
- Classrooms
- Community work experience training sites
- Community-based instruction, including access to public transportation, banks, shops, etc.
- Travel training
STEP Student Goals
- To determine job preferences and strengths.
- To learn job skills in real work settings.
- To ease the transition from school to work.
- To build self-confidence.
- To develop a work history and a resume.
STEP Curriculum Areas
Employability
- Career Exploration
- Work Skills and Behaviors
- Job-Seeking
Independent Living
- Time Management
- Banking/Money Management
- Household Management
- Food Preparation
- Personal Health and Safety
- Recreation/Leisure
- Travel/Transportation
Personal/Social
- Social Skills
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Self–advocacy
STEP Locations
Currently, FCPS has four STEP locations:
- Chantilly High School
- Davis Career Center
- Mount Vernon High School
- South Lakes High School
Students attend a specific STEP site according to their base school location.
Questions?
For more information about STEP, please contact Career and Transition Services at 571-423-4150.