Career and Transition Skills Program
CATS Program classes focus on skills necessary to transition from high school to post-secondary education skills and training, employment skills, and independent living skills. Each student will achieve their goals from a well-planned and coordinated process that is centered around the student's strengths, interests and needs. The goal of transition services is to guide students towards meaningful, long-term outcomes and prepare them for adult living after they leave school.
The transition curriculum includes the three areas of transition; Education and Training, Employment, Independent Living (Recreation and Leisure, Community Participation, and Home Living).
Some course offerings include:
- Career Exploration
- Explore Your Community
- Economics and Employment
- Household/Community Money Management
- Transition to Independence
- Work Experience
Each student develops their own electronic filing system in Google Drive that they can take with them upon graduating from MDS. Each student will have self assessment activities to learn about their own interests, personalities, skills and how to match their characteristics to career options. A strong emphasis is placed on community involvement and volunteer hours to increase experiences.
Some other topics offered are:
- Understanding ADA and How to Work with Interpreters
- Job Interviewing Skills
- Self Advocacy Skills
- How to use Video Phone/Video Relay Services
- Navigating Mental and Physical Health Issues
- Introduction to Minnesota Deaf Community Organizations
- Problem Solving Scenarios in the Workplace
- How to make Community Based Appointments
- Public Transportation
The CATS Program works with Family Tree Clinic to provide Health (physical and mental) class discussions to gain better understanding of relationships, both personal and family, coping skills, health advocacy, and other resources.
The CATS Program collaboratives with outside agencies such as: Career Ventures Inc, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, and Minnesota Employment Center to develop work experiences for students to develop employment skills.
Examples of previous work opportunities include:
- Global Health Ministries
- Books for Africa
- Rondo Library
- Wilderness Inquiry
- ThinkSelf
- MDS Kitchen and classroom assistant
- Lyngblomsten Senior Care Center
- ARC Value Village
- Goodwill
- Restore
Contact Information
Melissa Sweetmilk
Principal
msweetmilk@mdsmn.org
(651) 224-3995- Main Office
(651) 964-1636- Direct (VP)