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The Florida Grantor, Summer 2006

FGA Update

Marion County’s High School/High Tech Site Partners with CVS Pharmacy

During the spring of 2006, the U.S. Department of Labor’s 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.

Three Marion County HS/HT students had the opportunity to work in a CVS Pharmacy this summer.  Each student completed a six-week paid summer internship while also gaining valuable work experience. One of the participating students landed a full-time position at CVS Pharmacy because of the successful internship placement.

Florida HS/HT is designed to provide high school students with all types of disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or postsecondary education leading to technology- related careers. HS/HT links youth to a broad range of academic, career development and experiential resources and experiences that will enable them to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce.

For more information about Florida HS/HT, visit www.floridahsht.org.

U.S. BLN National Conference

The U.S. Business Leadership Network’s (BLN) Ninth Annual National Conference is being hosted by the Minnesota BLN, October 4 – 6, 2006, in Minneapolis. The conference’s theme, “Inclusion – The Time is Now”, will highlight the exceptional work of BLNs, corporations and organizations in the area of inclusion across the country and address real issues that businesses are facing.

A few of the conference’s nationally-recognized speakers include the Honorable Bob Dole, Dr. Roy Grizzard with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Disability Employment Policy and Andy Imparato, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities. Attendees will include representatives from BLN chapters across the country, as well as leaders and professionals from corporations, service providers and the workforce development community.

For more information regarding the U.S. BLN National Conference, visit www.mnbln.org/USBLNconference.