Information for families and teens
This section provides detailed information for teens and their families about the TeenWork program. If you have a question about the program that is not answered here, please contact our Program Manager.
Who is eligible for TeenWork
Services that TeenWork may include
How the job coach supports a youth once employment has been secured
Long-term employment and adult employment supports
How a young person becomes a TeenWork participant
FAQs for teens and families
Services that TeenWork may include
How the job coach supports a youth once employment has been secured
Long-term employment and adult employment supports
How a young person becomes a TeenWork participant
FAQs for teens and families
Who is eligible for TeenWork
Any youth who:
- has special needs and is from 15 to 19 years old
- is attending school
- acts safely towards self and others in the community
- is independent in personal care
- has access to transportation (e.g. handyDART, parents, bus)
Services that TeenWork may include
We support youth in achieving their employment goals. This participant-centred service may include:
- the Discovery Process (a series of work-related assessment exercises that help identify the youth's preferences, abilities and interests, and thereby ensure a good "fit")
- creation of résumé and cover letter
- development of interview skills
- job searching and job development
- one-on-one, on-site job coaching, which is not time-limited
- ongoing job maintenance and support
How the job coach supports teens once employment has been secured
- helps them understand workplace expectations and requirements, such as general work etiquette, uniform and appearance
- may help coordinate independent transportation to work and work-related activities; for example, training in riding the bus, parent drop-off/pick-up or a walking route
- assists in developing specific skills relevant to work tasks
- if necessary, develops job aids that enable the youth to perform the job tasks as independently as possible
- finds natural work supports at work; for example, supportive colleagues or workplace mentors
Long-term employment and adult employment supports
- as the youth becomes increasingly independent and confident at work, the job coach will reduce one-on-one, on-site support as appropriate
- the job coach will continue to check in frequently with the employer, youth and youth's family as appropriate
- once the youth is in his or her graduating year and is nearing the age of 19, the job coach will work with the youth, family and local adult agencies to facilitate a smooth transition into adult supports
How a young person becomes a TeenWork participant
- Eligible teens can self-refer, be referred by an education- or health-care professional, or have their parent(s) or guardian(s) apply on their behalf. Simply contact the TeenWork Program Manager and arrange a time to meet and fill out an "Expression of Interest" form. The youth will then be placed in a pool from which future participants are selected, based on a number of factors. Please note: TeenWork does not hold a traditional waitlist.
FAQs for teens and families
- Please check our list of Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the TeenWork program.
Go to Real teens, real stories
Back to the TeenWork main page
*Please note: TeenWork is a small-scale pilot project with limited participant capacity
Go to Top