Youth Services Program: St. Louis County
The Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) is a unique and exciting program for St. Louis County youth ages 16-20. It is made possible by the funding from Productive Living Board of St. Louis County for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (PLB). SWEP is a transition program designed for students receiving special education services and have limited or no work experience.
SWEP offers: SWEP Information and Application
8 weeks of paid summer employment
20 hours per week
Jobs that match student preferences and support needs
Job coach support
Opportunity to gain permanent employment
All Students must: Live in St. Louis County. Have transportation to and from work. Be committed to working the entire 8 weeks of the program
The Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) is a unique and exciting program for St. Louis County youth ages 16-20. It is made possible by the funding from Productive Living Board of St. Louis County for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (PLB). SWEP is a transition program designed for students receiving special education services and have limited or no work experience.
SWEP offers: SWEP Information and Application
8 weeks of paid summer employment
20 hours per week
Jobs that match student preferences and support needs
Job coach support
Opportunity to gain permanent employment
All Students must: Live in St. Louis County. Have transportation to and from work. Be committed to working the entire 8 weeks of the program
Jobs and Employment Support Services
7020 Chippewa
St. Louis, MO 63119
314.644.1913
St. Louis, MO 63119
314.644.1913
Through our Youth Services Program, we begin working with youth while they are still enrolled in special education, open to residents of St. Louis City and County who are in their junior and senior year of high school. Youth Services is operated under a cooperative agreement with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, St. Louis Public Schools Special Education Departments, St. Louis Office for DD Resources and St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE). The objective of the program is to provide work experience outside the classroom and prepare students for competitive employment. For any student who participates in youth services programs they must be registered with the St. Louis Regional Office.
Youth Services Program: St. Louis City
The first program is the JESS Work Experience Program. Students are referred to the Youth Services Program by their Work Experience Counselor (WEC) at school. Once enrolled in the program, the JESS Coordinator interviews the student and discusses appropriate training and career paths that match the individual's skills, potential, and preferences. The student may choose from training sites that offer a variety of experiences such as food service, clerical, housekeeping, or childcare. The student attends his/her chosen site once a week for eight to ten weeks. School credit, upon completion of the program, is available to most students.
The second opportunity is the JESS/SLATE Youth Program. High school students between the ages of 16 and 18 who are residents of the City of St. Louis and enrolled with SLATE may also participate in this year-round program. This program offers monthly contact and resource information to the participants and summer employment. Those in summer jobs work 20 hours per week for six weeks and earn $7.25 an hour. They are supported on the job by a job coach and work in a variety of settings that match their interests and skills.
Once a student completes either the Work Experience or the JESS/SLATE Youth Program, or both programs, JESS is able to continue providing employment support through JESS's Adult Services Program.
The first program is the JESS Work Experience Program. Students are referred to the Youth Services Program by their Work Experience Counselor (WEC) at school. Once enrolled in the program, the JESS Coordinator interviews the student and discusses appropriate training and career paths that match the individual's skills, potential, and preferences. The student may choose from training sites that offer a variety of experiences such as food service, clerical, housekeeping, or childcare. The student attends his/her chosen site once a week for eight to ten weeks. School credit, upon completion of the program, is available to most students.
The second opportunity is the JESS/SLATE Youth Program. High school students between the ages of 16 and 18 who are residents of the City of St. Louis and enrolled with SLATE may also participate in this year-round program. This program offers monthly contact and resource information to the participants and summer employment. Those in summer jobs work 20 hours per week for six weeks and earn $7.25 an hour. They are supported on the job by a job coach and work in a variety of settings that match their interests and skills.
Once a student completes either the Work Experience or the JESS/SLATE Youth Program, or both programs, JESS is able to continue providing employment support through JESS's Adult Services Program.
Each year the Monsignor Elmer Behrmann Scholarship is awarded annually to individuals with developmental disabilities. Monsignor Behrmann was JESS first Board President in 1979. He served as the Executive Director for the St. Louis Archdiocese Department of Special Education, an organization he founded and guided from 1950-1988.The recipients of the scholarships are participants who desire to advance and become more self-sufficient if given additional training. The scholarship award will be determined each year by the Scholarship Giving Committee.Ideally, the Scholarship recipient will be enrolled in an academic institution or an apprenticeship or other job-training program. The award is given without regard to race, nationality, creed, gender, or age. A person who receives the Monsignor Behrmann Scholarship is eligible to receive the Scholarship again in future years.Below you will find the Scholarship Fact Sheet and application form. If you have any questions or concerns please call JESS at 314-644-1913 for more information.
Behrmann Scholarship
Youth Services
Scholarship Information and Application
