CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS

PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS: PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PPD) TRAINING THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PPD) TRAINING IS A 60-HOUR CURRICULUM MODELED AFTER THE EVIDENCE-BASED READY4WORK (DEVELOPED BY PUBLIC/PRIVATE VENTURES) AND THINKING FOR A CHANGE (T4C), BOTH INTEGRATED, COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL CHANGE PROGRAMS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED FOR THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. PPD TRAINING HELPS PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT OR "SOFT" SKILLS NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRE AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT (INCLUDING COMMUNICATION AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP SKILLS). PPD PRESENTS A TRAINING EXPERIENCE THAT HAS TRANSFORMATIVE POWER FOR LOW-INCOME ADULTS, YOUTH, RETURNING CITIZENS, AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE SEEKING CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES AND STRIVING TOWARD ECONOMIC STABILITY.OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE UPON COMPLETION OF THIS TRAINING INCLUDE:RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD TRAINING: INTRODUCED IN 2011 TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF ABSENTEE FATHERS, THIS PROGRAM EQUIPS DADS WITH THE TOOLS TO BECOME ENGAGED, RESPONSIBLE PARENTS. THE TRAINING IS DELIVERED THROUGH AN EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND FACILITATED BY CERTIFIED TRAINERS. THIS TRAINING IS INTEGRATED INTO THE CTS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING.CAREER CONNECT: A UNIQUE JOB CLUB FOR PARTICIPANTS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT, FACILITATED WEEKLY BY JOB DEVELOPER/EDUCATION SPECIALISTS. CAREER CONNECT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOB SHADOWING, NETWORKING, MENTORING, UPDATING RSUMS AND CASE MANAGEMENT PLANS, CONDUCTING ONLINE JOB SEARCHES, AND PARTICIPATING IN MOCK INTERVIEWS. THIS WEEKLY GATHERING IS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL TO THOSE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES IN THE JOB SEARCH PROCESS. PARTICIPANTS ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER LAB AT THE CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS OFFICE.MENTORING: OFFERED TO PARTICIPANTS ENROLLED IN OUR PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS PROGRAM. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT SUCCESS IS ENHANCED WHEN MENTORING IS INCORPORATED INTO A HOLISTIC REHABILITATION PROGRAM SUCH AS THE ONE OFFERED AT CONNECTIONS. VOLUNTEER MENTORS ENGAGE WITH PARTICIPANTS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.CONNECT GROUP: BI-WEEKLY MEETINGS WHERE CTS STAFF, MENTORS, AND PARTICIPANTS COME TOGETHER FOR A LIGHT MEAL, CONVERSATION, WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.TRANSPORTATION: A VAN SERVICE PROVIDED BY CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS FOR PARTICIPANTS WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION. ASSISTANCE INCLUDES TRAVELING TO AND FROM CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS OFFICES, JOB INTERVIEWS, JOB FAIRS, AND OTHER APPROVED RESOURCES OR APPOINTMENTS.WHEELS FOR SUCCESS: A UNIQUE CAR OWNERSHIP PROGRAM THROUGH WHICH VEHICLES DONATED TO CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ARE AWARDED TO PARTICIPANTS WHO ACHIEVE MILESTONES IN THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

PROGRAM REPLICATION: PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS IN REPLICATING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS PROGRAM. CURRENTLY ARE ENGAGED WITH FOUR AGENCIES LOCATED IN WENTZVILLE, MO, SALINA, KS, TOPEKA, KS, AND CASPER, WY IN REPLICATING PATHWAYS PROGRAM.