The Colorado Department of Education

Offices | Staff Contacts | Colorado.gov

School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP)

Program Contact(s)

Katie Oliver
Phone: 303-866-6701
E-mail: oliver_k@cde.state.co.us

Barbara Palmer
Phone: 303-866-6721
E-mail: palmer_b@cde.state.co.us

Goals of the Initiative

  • To provide career development and employment related services to youth with disabilities through partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and local school districts/BOCES. SWAP is designed to enhance transition services mandated through IDEA.

History Summary

SWAP was jointly developed in 1994 to meet specific needs identified in Colorado. Education partners identified the need for employment-related community based services for youth with mild to moderate disabilities. At the same time DVR identified the need for state and local match funds to draw down Federal allocations in order to provide services to youth exiting the schools as well as the general population of adults with disabilities. The program was initially implemented in eight sites and has grown over the years to 45 sites incorporating approximately 138 school districts. SWAP has grown to be a $10 million per year program serving over 3000 youth each year.

Program Summary

Swap serves youth with disabilities ages 16-25 who are:

In – School served by

  • Section 504 programs
  • IDEA [Special Education] programs

    Out – of – School
     
  • Graduated or aged out
  • Drop-out or at risk of dropping out
  • Under or unemployed

SWAP facilitates linkages with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and assists with referral, eligibility determination, and plan development.

SWAP provides group and direct services including vocational assessment, career exploration, career development, employment-related instruction, job development / placement, and case management.

Web site

Currently being re-designed.