Building Pathways to Success: P2P Year-End Recap

As the 2024-2025 school year concludes, we proudly reflect on a year of growth, strengthened partnerships, and meaningful impact made possible through the Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) grant project. This year demonstrated the power of collaboration. Centers for Independent Living (CILs), local education agencies (LEAs), Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA), and community partners worked together to create clear, supported pathways for children and youth with disabilities preparing for life beyond the classroom.

Pathway to Dreams, Middle School Pre-ETS

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P2P team prepares for the implementation of the program.

In its first year, the project developed an early intervention soft skills and career exploration curriculum for middle school students with disabilities in grades 6-8., Pathway to Dreams. The program’s purpose is to introduce students to soft skills essential for school and workplace readiness, to set goals and explore career choices, and to learn self-advocacy. Each lesson is designed to be engaging, informative, and adaptable, ensuring that all students, regardless of their learning needs, can benefit from this valuable experience.  

Throughout the year, the Pathways to Dreams program was implemented with 176 students, equipping them with essential academic, social, and life skills through inclusive programming. The following CILs and LEAs worked closely with GVRA to develop and implement this year’s programming. 

• Disability Connections
• NWGA Center for Independent Living
• Walton Options
• Polk School District (Cedartown Middle and Rockmart Middle)
• Houston County School District (Warner Robins Middle and Feagin Mill Middle)
• Columbia County School District (Columbia County Middle)

Bridging the Gap (Youth Aged 18-22)

The project also launched Pathway to Dreams: Bridging the Gap, supporting youth with disabilities transitioning from high school to post-secondary education and competitive integrated employment. The initiative empowers youth with disabilities by providing vital skills and resources for independent living and work integration and was developed in partnership with:

• GVRA VR Counselors and Leadership
• Georgia Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
• Post-secondary institutions like Roosevelt Warm Springs (RWS) and Cave Spring (CS)
• The P2P Team

This initiative thrives on strong partnerships between GVRA, the partnering Georgia-based CILs, and other key stakeholders. In this first year, GVRA’s P2P implementation team worked alongside VR Counselors and CILs across Georgia to roll out the program for participating youth aged 18-22. Designed to empower youth with disabilities, the program focuses on equipping them with vital skills and resources for independent living and work integration, effectively bridging the transition from high school to successful positive post-secondary outcomes. 

Primary Goals

• Bridge the Transition Gap: Help youth successfully transition from high school to post-secondary education or employment, leading to competitive integrated employment (CIE).
• Develop Independence and Work Integration Skills: Provide peer support to equip youth with essential skills, such as budgeting, time management, self-advocacy, professionalism, and daily living tasks, alongside soft skills like teamwork and communication.
• Connect Resources: Link youth and families with local VR Counselors, CILs, and other opportunities to ensure smooth transitions and long-term success.

Key Features

• Skills Development: Youth work with CIL peer supporters to assess strengths, address barriers, and develop plans for independent living and work readiness.
• Mentorship: One-on-one and group mentorship with expert CIL peer supporters help participants engage in discovery and person-centered planning to navigate challenges and achieve their personal and professional goals.
• Family Engagement: Families/Guardians receive guidance on available resources and support options, such as enrollment opportunities at RWS, Cave Springs, or other post-secondary programs.
• Immersive Experience: Participants engage in intensive Pre-ETS and soft skills training, including financial literacy, through a weeklong program at RWS.

Bridging the Gap Summer Dreamers Camp

The team hosted its inaugural Bridging the Gap Summer Dreamers Camp. During this week, 15 Bridging the Gap Youth gained essential soft skills, made connections, explored possible post-secondary education and career opportunities, pondered dreams, set education and career goals, gained financial literacy in a real-life week-long financial experience, and built lasting friendships which all contributed to a big step toward independence. All while being housed at Roosevelt Warm Springs, which contributes another step towards independence and obtaining post-secondary education and/or employment goals. 

Empowering Students and Families

Family engagement was a priority throughout the year. Parents and family members were actively engaged, participating in family learning sessions, school transition events, and other opportunities designed to increase awareness of and access to available resources to support their children’s educational journeys. By prioritizing family engagement, the program fostered stronger relationships between home, school, CILs, and GVRA, ensuring a team approach to increasing students and family access to available resources, providing connections and support- all are playing an integral role in shaping student success. 

Through Family Learning Sessions, participants learned about various topics from available resources to setting goals and peer support. From a survey of the 22 families who attended the seven P2P Family Learning Sessions, 100% of the participants stated they “gained more knowledge of resources available to help their child with disabilities and their family in current and future success.”

Expanding Reach Through Digital Engagement

In addition to its in-person impact, the P2P program significantly extended its reach through strategic social media and website engagement. The team consistently shared highlights, student spotlights, event recaps, and educational resources, supporting the program in cultivating an active and growing online community. 55 posts celebrating student achievements and showcasing activities resonated strongly with families and partners, increasing visibility and awareness of the program’s mission and positive outcomes. This digital presence not only amplified community engagement but also served as a powerful tool for advocacy, encouraging broader support and participation across the district and beyond.

Celebrating Progress and Creating Community

Across the school year, the program partners collectively participated in 69 outreach events that brought students, families, and community members together to increase awareness and access to GVRA and CIL resources. 

Strengthening Transitions and Interagency Collaboration

At the heart of the P2P program is the goal of preparing children and youth with disabilities for post-secondary education, competitive integrated employment, and independent living. This year, we strengthened collaborations with local school districts, Georgia CILs, GVRA, and other community partners to expand access to resources and ensure that students and families are supported at every stage of their transition.

These interagency efforts helped create seamless pathways that connect students to real-world opportunities, available resources, and long-term success.

The project also trained 739 youth service professionals, empowering youth service professionals with knowledge of available resources for individuals with disabilities to enhance their support of children and youth with disabilities, as well as their families. Of the 769 youth service professionals, 122 were participants who would implement one or more component of P2P. Of these 122, 91 completed a quality of training survey, with 98% agreeing the training was relevant, high in quality, and useful to their work. We are thankful for the opportunity to have met and trained so many amazing youth service professionals who daily positively impact the goals and overall success of children and youth they support. 

Looking Ahead

The achievements of the 2024–2025 school year reflect the power of partnership. The P2P Team operates with the mindset: One Team, One Dream, Better Together! This collaborative effort and collaboration ensure the youth with disabilities we serve have the support, opportunities, and resources needed to achieve their dreams. Through the support of the P2P  grant, we’ve created a model that uplifts and empowers children and youth, as well as their families, and builds bridges of collaboration to support the achievement and success of children and youth.

We are deeply grateful to our students, families, staff, and community partners for a remarkable year. As we look to the future, we are excited to continue this important work by expanding partnerships across the state of GA, increasing access, removing barriers, and ensuring every student is prepared and empowered to succeed.