Career Development and Occupational Studies

Kaplan Career Academy Transition Staff has the experience, resources and expertise to assist a wide range of students in preparing for and making the transition to post-school learning, as well as independent living and working. Each student's abilities are carefully assessed and a comprehensive transition plan is designed and tailored to each individual. The approach is also collaborative , as our students continue to partner with families and members of the community; we help our students achieve their greatest potential.

Kaplan Career Academy Transition Services Include:

• Linking students and families with post-secondary support in areas such as day habilitation, mental health programs, and special services offered at the college level

• Serving as a liaison to ACCES-VR (Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation)

• Assisting families with the application process for the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and necessary evaluations to determine eligibility

• Financial Literacy & Responsibility

• Job/Career Exploration

• Resume/Cover Letter Writing , etc.

With a continued focus on enhancing the Transition Program, Kaplan's Corner Cafe & Kaplan PBIS were in need of some items that can further help our programs grow. With great success, the Kaplan Transition Program was able to create a partnership with our local Home Depot in Newburgh, NY. The Home Depot generously donated a Magic Chef Deep Freezer and also plexiglass that will be used for our new PBIS display case.

A Special shoutout to Mr. Kevin and Ms. Z at Home Depot in Newburgh, NY.

Our seniors had a special visit from M&T Bank this month and were given a great opportunity to open a checking account with the bank. Students were able to open a free student checking account with personalized debit card images, no monthly maintenance fees, and no minimum account balance necessary. We are very proud of our seniors!

The Local Union 825 in New Hampton, NY trains individuals to be Heavy Equipment Operators through an apprenticeship program. The tour was detailed and fun. Students were able to operate construction vehicles through a video game simulator and later on, have a chance to operate an excavator.

In our hopes to ensure that all Kaplan students had a "Happy Thanksgiving", Kaplan staff & faculty were able to collect monetary & food donations, in an effort to provide a Thanksgiving meal to over 35 families. Items purchased at Walmart & Shoprite were packed to the "brim" with everything needed for a Thanksgiving meal. The Cornwall Food Bank also made a "huge" donation of produce, including organic sweet potatoes, watermelons, apples, oranges, etc. Students were very appreciative and thankful for Kaplan Staff & Faculty and felt good making a contribution to their household.

Our juniors, seniors, Kaplan guidance counselor & transition specialist coordinator enjoyed a tour of Orange Community College on Monday, November 8th, 2021.  Kaplan Career Academy staff and students were welcomed by Orange Community College staff & faculty and were provided with information about the Newburgh and Middletown campuses. Students were informed about courses of study, financial aid, EOP, etc.  Students also enjoyed their lunch in the scenic courtyard of the campus on what turned out to be a beautiful day. Students were engaged, informed and got to take home some O.C.C. "swag", as they were gifted with drawstring bags, tumblers and other cool items!

The Local Union, Teamsters at 456, represents workers in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Local 456 represents many of the public workers in the City of Yonkers, the Town of Greenwich, and other surrounding municipalities. Many of Westchester’s building trades workers are also members, including concrete drivers, paving workers, and building materials workers. The local is a leader in the county building trades council. Local 456 members also deliver fuel oil and gas and drive school buses.

Below are photos from yesterday's Job Corps Presentation by Ms. Wendy Tejada. Students learned an abundance of information during the presentation including class structure, hands-on training, campus dorms, etc. The students were engaged and asked great questions.

Taking a break from classwork, internships & externships, the Transition Team went out with students for a fun and educational experience right in our own backyard. Students were able to experience a bit of history 5 minutes away from Kaplan Academy, in the center of New Windsor, NY. Students visited the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor & the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, learning a bit about the Revolutionary War & Vietnam. Ten minutes away in Newburgh, NY, students also visited Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site.  

Students have teamed up with Cornwall Food Bank to help feed the community! Students participated in an externship with the produce dept. at Cornwall Food Bank. Students sorted through and packaged boxes with fresh Strawberries, bananas, lettuce, potatoes, etc. for churches & shelters all over Orange County, NY! Students take pride in their work and feel good giving back to those who are less fortunate.

Students assist the Transition Team with purchases from local grocery stores in order to replenish the Kaplan Café and Kaplan P.B.I.S. store. Students learn and acknowledge the importance of nutrition, sales/discounts and prioritizing items on a shopping list based on their budget. Students enjoy food shopping, seeing new items and being engaged members of the community.

Through an initiative to feed the homeless in Orange County communities, President & CEO of Impact! Inc, Mr. Damian DePauw, was grateful enough to provide our students with a presentation of the S.M.A.R.T. program. The program is designed to help feed the less fortunate through a "Pay-It" forward system. Mr. DePauw explained his mission, purpose and goals for his life passion and also spoke of ways in which Kaplan students can participate and support his program. Students enjoyed the presentation and asked plenty of questions learning a lot from our guest speaker.

Level 1 Career Assessment Info

Level 1 Career Assessment Info Form

Parent Interview

Parent Questionnaire

Career Zone

Student Community Referral Guide

Work Based Learning

Driver Education