Job Discovery Program

Vocational Training for Students with Disabilities

To be considered for JDP I, students must meet the following requirements:

• Enrollment in CCSD with a current IEP and on track to receive an Option 2 diploma
• A history of regular attendance
• Independence in personal nutritional, hygiene and medical needs
• The ability to work in an assigned area and maintain focus with minimal assistance.

To be eligible for JDP II, you must meet the requirements of JDP I and also have the following skills:

• Demonstrate independent working ability
• Consistently exhibit appropriate workplace behavior.

Receive practical, hands-on training from experienced instructors at real-world work sites. Develop a diverse range of skills, including both soft and technical abilities, such as:

Soft Skills:

• Mock interviews
• Resume writing
• Dress code
• Working in groups and independently
• Appropriate workplace interactions and communication with coworkers, supervisors and customers
• The importance of punctuality and attendance
• Time management and adaptability

Hard Skills:

Technical skill development is offered in various industries, such as childcare, recreation centers, culinary arts, hospitals, retail, warehousing, and custodial services. Each experience is designed to provide participants with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their desired field.

Students can be hired in a variety of businesses, including well-known organizations such as the Mob Museum, Animal Foundation and Culinary Academy. These opportunities allow students to gain practical experience in a supportive and inclusive environment where they can practice their newly acquired skills.

For example, students may work as a Food Service Worker with the Clark County School District, a Fulfillment Associate with Amazon, a Barista with Starbucks, a Porter with the Mob Museum, or a Steward with Honest Hospitality.

These positions offer diverse experiences, from food preparation and customer service to maintenance and operations. Whether training in a high-tech warehouse or a fast-paced retail setting, JDP students will have the chance to build their confidence and develop a wide range of skills to help them succeed in their future careers.

When Mariale joined the Entry training program at Allegiant Stadium she had one goal, to work in the community and earn her own money. Now, due to her hard work and a chance given to Opportunity Village from the Las Vegas Raiders, Mariale is employed with Cinemark Theatres where she can accomplish her goal every shift by earning her own paycheck and being a valuable crew member at the South Point Hotel Casino’s movie theater. With Mariale’s love for the cinema and passion for helping others she was a natural fit with Cinemark, and now she can be found with a smile on her face adding extra butter to your popcorn or ushering you to the newest big screen premiere.

When you talk with Mariale, she will tell you all about how she is working hard towards many goals in her life related to being more independent, and thanks to her hard work, the help from the Las Vegas Raiders and everyone at the Raider Image store at Allegiant Stadium, these are goals that can be envisioned and accomplished.

Mariale continues to use the skills she gained from the Entry training program to accomplish these goals daily and is grateful for her time with Opportunity Village, but all of us at Opportunity Village want to let her know how big of an accomplishment this is and that we are even more grateful for her time with us in the Entry training program.

John was recently hired at The Underground, a 1920’s style restaurant and bar located on the bottom floor of the Mob Museum. John may have a new position, but he is not new to the Museum. He was one of the first JDP students to train at the Mob Museum, performing a variety of tasks since 2020.

John started out training in Guest Services, greeting visitors at the main entrance. His training expanded to the surveillance cameras, before training in the kitchen. John also helped the Facilities Department by keeping the landscape around the building clean, and polishing the brass railings on the front steps. John has performed important tasks all over the museum. As a result of all his hard work, John got noticed. The Mob Museum Food and Beverage manager invited John to interview for the Porter position, as soon as he heard John wanted to work in a restaurant.

John started his new job as a porter in mid-November. John works in the kitchen and the restaurant. He washes dishes, runs food orders out, clears tables, sets up water glasses for guests, and basically provides extra help to the waiters, bartenders, and cooks. John receives an hourly wage, plus tips! John said he is happy at The Mob Museum. He likes washing dishes and putting them away. He likes the people he works with, and perhaps most of all, he likes getting paid!

Joseph joined JDP II in the middle of the pandemic, training daily through the challenges of virtual learning and staying patient for his opportunity to train in person at the Heritage Senior Center site.

Joseph impressed everyone with his hard work, attention to detail, and willingness to help in all areas of the kitchen. Now Joseph is an employee with CCSD Food Services, taking his skills to Orr Middle School’s kitchen where he works hard preparing school lunches, serving students, and just being an overall great coworker and employee.

His new kitchen manager raves about his commitment to his work and willingness to go out of his way to help his team in the kitchen. Joseph was so excited to be working in the community and even more excited for the job opportunity with CCSD!

Opportunity Village is an accredited non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The JDP is a cornerstone of its vocational services, providing practical training, support and resources to prepare individuals up to the age of 22 for competitive employment. It’s designed to foster key skills development and offer real-world experience in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Over the years, the JDP has served hundreds of students and has seen consistently positive results. In the 2017-2018 school year, 120 students participated in the program. The following year, this number increased to 125 students.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the JDP continued to provide valuable support to students, with 111 participants in the 2019-2020 school year, 108 in 2020-2021 and 90 in 2021-2022.

Many of the students and their families have reported improved confidence, increased independence, and a better understanding of the working world. With its commitment to excellence and its track record of success, the JDP is a preferred choice for individuals seeking to enhance their vocational skills and achieve their employment goals.