Partners
Business Partners
Business partners are instrumental in the success of the High School/High Tech (HS/HT) Program. Partners can assist HS/HT project sites in variety of ways. Below are some of the examples of how businesses are partnering with sites across Florida.
NASA/ Kennedy Space Center
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration/Kennedy Space Center (NASA/KSC) has been instrumental in the development of High School/High Tech (HS/HT) in Florida. The first Florida HS/HT project site was funded by a grant from NASA/KSC, and implemented in Brevard County at the Space Coast Center for Independent Living in June 1995. Since that time, NASA/KSC has continued to support the program by providing summer internships, hosting corporate site visits and providing numerous resources to HS/HT project sites across Florida. In addition, the Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC) provides ongoing support and resources to the Florida HS/HT Program.
CVS Pharmacy
In 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and CVS Pharmacy Government Programs initiated a pilot program to provide career exploration opportunities for youth and adults with significant disabilities. The Marion County Florida High School/High Tech (HS/HT) project site in Ocala was one of only five sites in the country selected for this opportunity. Since that time, CVS Pharmacy has continued to offer paid summer internships with Marion County HS/HT students. In addition, CVS has expanded their partnership with the Florida HS/HT Program to several counties including Orange, Lee, Clay, Sarasota and Manatee counties. Partnership activities include: job shadowing, participation in Florida Disability Mentoring Day activities and summer internships. Jennifer, a HS/HT student from Lee County, was hired as a clerk/cashier in 2006. Currently, Jennifer has been promoted to pharmacy technician! In 2008, Lydia, a Clay County HS/HT student, received a paid summer internship with CVS and reported that working at CVS has “truly increased her confidence in the workplace.” In 2009, Jacob, a student with significantly limited mobility and a member of the Marion County HS/HT, attained a paid summer internship at CVS. According to the CVS manager and Jacob’s family, the CVS internship has literally “changed his life,” expanding future career opportunities.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) is a business partner that has championed the success of High School/High Tech students in Duval County. BCBSF has provided a variety of career exploration experiences for students including: job shadowing, participation in Florida Disability Mentoring Day, guest speakers, resume reviews, and summer internships. BCBSF is committed to the success of the summer internship experience and has individualized their processes so that numerous students with disabilities can participate. Since 2007, more than five HS/HT students have successfully completed paid summer internships with BCBSF. Internships have resulted in the gain of employability skills, increased self confidence and ongoing mentoring relationships.
"It has been our pleasure to work with the students in the High School/High Tech program. Not only did the students gain many skills, our employees learned a few things as well. We are excited to provide, for some, their first exposure to a corporate environment, and look forward to the students' continued success." - BCBSF
University of Florida
Since 2002, mentors from 15 University of Florida (UF) departments have worked with students with disabilities as part of the Florida High School/High Tech Program. Students have had the opportunity to job shadow professors and other professionals to gain exposure to different careers and potential internships. In 2008, four UF departments participated in program activities, resulting in seven mentoring relationships and two paid summer internships. UF professor, Carl Crane, with the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, believes that the relationship between UF and the Florida HS/HT Program not only exposes students to non traditional career fields but also contributes to the richness of people who will be involved with the university in the future. According to Mr. Crane, “It’s a people business.”