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October 17, 2006

Florida is Launch Site for National Internship Pilot Project at CVS Pharmacy

Three Local Students with Disabilities Honored by the U.S. Department of Labor

Ocala High School/High Tech students successfully complete National Internship Pilot Project at CVS Pharmacy

Ocala – The Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor walked through the aisles of the CVS Pharmacy on Maricamp Road in Ocala today. Dr. Roy Grizzard, however, wasn’t picking up a prescription. Instead he was there to honor three Marion County high school students with disabilities who successfully completed a national internship pilot project in the store this summer.

Through a partnership with The Able Trust’s Florida High School/High Tech (HS/HT) Program and CVS Pharmacy, the store in Ocala was one of five chosen nationally to participate in the pilot project. Through a six-week paid internship, the three students gained hands-on experience in various departments throughout the store.

“We’re excited about this new partnership with the High School/High Tech Program and The Able Trust,” said Marsha Lynch, manager of Government Programs for CVS Pharmacy in Florida. “Our goal is to give students with disabilities exposure to our pharmacies and give them the opportunity to determine if a career at CVS is something they want to pursue.”

All of the students chosen for the Florida pilot are actively involved in High School/High Tech, a statewide program supported by The Able Trust. The Able Trust’s 32 HS/HT project sites support more 1,000 students with disabilities in over Florida 100 high schools. Students participate in transition and career development activities to help prepare them for post-secondary education and technology-based careers. HS/HT works to reduce the high school dropout rate of youth with disabilities and improve their participation in employment-related activities.

“It’s so important for young people with disabilities to be given these kinds of opportunities to explore various career options,” said Sharon Griffith, president of The Able Trust. “CVS Pharmacy is committed to breaking down barriers for people with disabilities and I am hopeful we can work with the company to expand this internship program to other stores and HS/HT sites around the state.

About The Able Trust The Able Trust, also known as the Florida Governor’s Alliance for the Employment of Citizens with Disabilities, is a 501(c)(3) public-private partnership foundation established by the Florida Legislature in 1990. Its mission is to be the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities through fund-raising, grant programs, public awareness and education. Since its establishment, The Able Trust has awarded over $18 million in grants to individuals with disabilities and nonprofit agencies. Its programs have enabled more than 2,000 Florida citizens with disabilities to enter the workforce each year.

Florida High School/High Tech (HS/HT) is designed to provide high school students with all types of disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or post-secondary education leading to technology-related careers. HS/HT is part of a national initiative of the US Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy. It is sponsored in Florida by The Able Trust and supported by the Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. For more information about HS/HT visit www.floridahsht.org or contact HS/HT Statewide Coordinator Donna Mundy at 321-223-8191.

Contact: Heidi Otway, (850) 681-3200, heidi@herrle.com

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