Job Readiness & LIFE Skills

Project L.I.F.E. - Learning Independence for Future EmploymentStarted in 2007 as a Forsyth County Schools program, Project L.I.F.E. is an off-campus community-based job training program that provides the development of transferable soft skills while incorporating real-world job readiness skills for students ages 19 and 8 months - 22 with developmental disabilities that need further vocational instruction to help meet their post-secondary outcome IEP goals. Business partners include Siemens, Automation Direct, National Cash Register (NCR), Northside Hospital-Forsyth, PBD Worldwide, WAVE, Academy of Creative Education, and the FC Board of Education and Administrative Departments.

Project R.I.S.E. - Responsibility, Independence, Self-Advocacy and Employment

Project R.I.S.E. is a transition program for students ages 19 and 8 months to age 22 with developmental disabilities to further develop adult living and job readiness skills along with access to the community with the goal of increasing independence for a purposeful and fulfilling life.  Eligible R.I.S.E. students may transition to Project L.I.F.E. during their 2nd year, while others will remain in the program until they graduate to their desired post-secondary environments, such as supported employment and/or Adult Day Programs and Services.

Partnering Businesses

• PBD Worldwide
• Academy of Creative Education
• Country Inn and Suites
• Sweetwater Urban Farms/AboutFace-USA
• Hightower Food and Clothing Bank
• Siemens Digital
• Siemens Industry
• Northside Hospital Forsyth
• NCR, Inc.
• Automation Direct
• Forsyth County Schools Administrative and Service Departments

Because Project L.I.F.E.and Project R.I.S.E are supported and sponsored through a unique collaboration between Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), Forsyth County Schools, and business partners, these students must participate in a GVRA Pre-ETS Work Based Learning Observation  prior to eligibility determination. This observation and other information gathered will assist the committee in identifying student strengths, weaknesses, social and work-related skills and behaviors, as well as independence levels. We also ask that students with developmental disabilities apply for the Medicaid waiver prior to entering the program. This will allow GVRA and Project L.I.F.E./R.I.S.E. to collaborate with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities office in case supportive employment is desired beyond services provided by GVRA. It also ensures a smooth transition from L.I.F.E./R.I.S.E. to adulthood and allows the individual to access more services upon graduation.

What are businesses saying?

Students in my area (parts and receiving) have enhanced the output production by 50%.  I have found that the interns take pride in their work and take their job training very seriously.  Their positive attitude and good work ethic has impacted the other employees and their performance.  Expectations remain high despite it being a training program and this provides real-world demands on the interns.

- Brent Montgomery, Production Floor- Materials Supervisor, Siemens, Inc.

 View the Project LIFE Video

For more information about these programs, please contact Susan Darlington, Transition Coordinator for the Department of Special Education, 770-887-2461, ext. 310253 or sdarlington@forsyth.k12.ga.us.