Building Skills and Futures: Pathways to Partnerships November and December Recap

Pathways to Partnerships (P2P) is thrilled to reflect on a meaningful end to the semester filled with collaboration, learning, and impactful experiences across Georgia. From middle school classrooms to statewide professional development, these past two months demonstrated the power of partnership—and our shared belief that students deserve every opportunity to build bright futures.

School Highlights

P2P kicked off November with engaging lessons at Lewis Frasier Middle School in communication and goal setting. In one class, students explored verbal, nonverbal, and written communication while practicing conversation skills, active listening, and turn-taking. In another, students strengthened their understanding of SMART goals by breaking down personal goals into actionable steps while learning the value of perseverance and adaptability—skills that will benefit them well beyond the classroom. In December, students continued exploring foundational soft skills through hands-on instruction from LIFE CIL. Students learned to identify positive vs. negative workplace habits and examined the role of communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in real work environments. 

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P2P Team Members (Leigh Thrailkill, Felicia Moneypenny, and Ciara Hall) facilitated a Student Breakout Session, students engaged in envisioning their future goals and received take-home resources from GVRA and Disability Connections to help them and their families continue planning together and gain access to impactful resources!

P2P wrapped up its final lessons of the semester at Richards Middle School with a focus on real-world readiness. One class examined workplace expectations such as punctuality, attire, etiquette, and professional behavior. The second class practiced foundational interviewing skills through mock interviews, peer feedback, and discussions on communication habits and confidence.

Houston County Pathway to Dreams students continued to shine as Warner Robins Middle School 8th graders explored organizational tools and communication skills for vocational settings. Over at Feagin Mill Middle School, students learned about appropriate vs. inappropriate hygiene, dress, and etiquette—complete with fun demonstrations from Ms. Victoria on “what not to wear” at work! Students ended the semester engaged in lessons focused on adaptability, flexibility, and understanding appropriate dress, hygiene, and etiquette for different environments. These skills support both school success and future workplace readiness.

Cedartown Middle Pathway to Dreams students celebrated completing their final P2P lesson of the semester with donuts and juice. Over the past months, these students built strong soft skills, connected with community supports, and will now apply their learning at NWGACIL Connect Day. Connect Day is an event designed to connect individuals to vital resources, community members and take part in workshops to develop soft skills. 

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Disability Connections P2P CIL instructors modeling appropriate dress for interviews and the workplace, while engaging students in meaningful conversations about professional attire, and the importance of shining both inside and out.

Atlanta Public Schools Pathway to Dreams students finished their first semester in the program by engaging in powerful lessons on self-advocacy, and communication. Through scenarios, reflection, and collaborative discussion, students learned about their rights, effective communication methods, and how to advocate for themselves across school, community, and workplace environments. In December, students continued their growth by focusing on hygiene, grooming, appropriate dress, and etiquette. Students learned how positive appearance builds confidence, shows respect, and strengthens workplace success.

P2P proudly celebrated Rockmart Middle School’s Pathway to Dreams students who completed 10 impactful lessons as well as Grovetown Middle and Elbert County Middle who completed all lessons designed to build soft skills, explore dreams, and connect with resources like GVRA and the local CILs as they prepare for high school and beyond. Their completion demonstrates significant growth for the students. 

Additional P2P Highlights (Non-School Activities)

While schools remained a major focus this semester, P2P also advanced transition and provider support efforts statewide with the following initiatives.

GVRA Community of Practice (CoP) Launch

P2P hosted the first in-person Community of Practice (CoP) session, “Instructional Strategies for Supporting Individuals with Disabilities,” creating space for connection, shared learning, and strengthened practice across GVRA providers. The event was informed by CoP surveys and supported through the expertise of Georgia State University and the GVRA Provider Relations Team, with the next session scheduled for February.

Roosevelt Warm Springs BTG Collaboration

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Bridging The Gap in our Cohort 2 replication sites engaged in a Networking Web activity where team members explored how they are all interconnected and how each person’s contributions strengthen the whole.

GVRA District Teams (2, 4, 5, and 8), CIL Peer Mentors, and P2P staff convened at Roosevelt Warm Springs for deep collaboration that:

• Strengthened cross-agency teamwork
• Examined BTG goals and peer mentoring practices
• Planned support for youth ages 18–22
• Built action plans for BTG launches through February

Middle GA GLRS Transition Resource Fair

P2P partnered with Disability Connections to support students, parents, and educators exploring transition resources. Our team collaborated to support students, educators, and parents as they explored a wide range of transition resources designed to guide students on their path toward graduation and future success. P2P also led a student breakout session and provided take-home GVRA resources for continued planning.

Looking Ahead

November and December showcased the heart of Pathways to Partnerships—collaboration, student empowerment, shared learning, and community strength. As we move into the new year, we remain committed to supporting youth as they build skills, explore opportunities, and achieve their dreams. 

Program Numbers at a Glance

• 228 new students enrolled (6-8th graders) for December
• 42 students have entered a 2nd year in the program
• 899 services were delivered to students in November and December

We are grateful for the continued partnership among GVRA, LIFE, Access 2 Independence, Disability Connections, disABILITY LINK, NWGACIL and the Local Education Agencies, made possible through Pathways to Partnerships—because we are truly better together!

The contents of this article were developed under grant H421E230027 from the U.S. Department of Education (Department). The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described or discussed in this document. The contents of this article may contain examples of adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The content of this article does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department. This publication is not intended to represent the views or policy of or be an endorsement of any views expressed, or materials provided by any Federal agency. (EDGAR 75.620)