KANSASWORKS NETWORK FOR EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER TRANSITION FOR YOUTH
The acronym k-n-e-c-t-Y is pronounced “connect why.”
The knectY program supports transition-age (14–24) Kansans with disabilities in building a brighter future. This program helps place young people with disabilities in competitive integrated employment — jobs where knectY youth work side by side with peers, with and without disabilities, and earn equal pay as others doing the same work.
The knectY program works together with Kansas’ disabled youth, their families and employers. Participants in knectY meet with staff from NEGOCIOSWORKS and Families Together CHASE to discuss goals and create a plan to find a job, finish school or both. Each young person chooses the path that is right for them through informed decision-making.
The knectY program is part of the Employment Transition Model demonstration projects, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy to improve access to career pathways and jobs for youth with disabilities. Read on to learn more about the types of services offered, program locations and answers to frequently asked questions.
Help with finishing high school, technical training or college.
Activities and lessons to boost confidence and grow social skills.
Free sessions with a certified benefits counselor who will explain the impact of work and how to make the most of it.
Opportunities to build and practice leadership skills.
Help with developing basic job skills, exploring job options and increasing financial literacy.
Support from mentors when needed.
Job aids, such as help getting to and from work, finding work clothing and connecting with local resources.
Information, resources and support for parents.
Servicios para empresarios
Help with finding and hiring youth with disabilities. This can help create a positive workplace, improve how people view the company and retain workers.
Free job coaching for employers and knectY youth. The job coach can help explain the young person’s skills and needs to the employer and suggest accommodations if necessary. The coach can also help candidates understand job tasks and gain the skills they need to succeed.
Opportunities to get involved with knectY, such as:
Hosting young people at businesses to help them learn about different jobs.
Attending workshops to share company information and explain the interview process.
Holding mock interviews.
Offering work experiences like internships, job shadowing and work placement.
Where to Find knectY
Services are available at 11 NEGOCIOSWORKS workforce centers operated in partnership with three local workforce development boards.
Help with transition services, including Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Tutoring.
Guidance on applying to and choosing postsecondary programs.
Help with applying for student aid, scholarships or other school funding.
Tuition assistance.
Support with student services, such as getting accommodations, connecting with disability services and gathering necessary documents.
How can knectY help me develop job skills, explore job options and understand money?
Discover what jobs are available and what skills or credentials are needed.
Get help finding a job that matches personal interests.
Learn how to fill out job applications.
Develop and practice interview skills.
Gain paid work experience in the community.
Learn job-readiness skills like job responsibilities, proper dress for work and how to talk about workplace needs through TeenWORKS (a paid summer program for teens ages 14–15).
Learn how to make smart money choices and use wages wisely.
What can a mentor do to help me prepare for work?
Provide job shadowing to learn the ins and outs of a job.
Hold practice interviews to boost confidence for job interviews.
Teach skills needed for important job tasks.
Help strengthen social skills needed in the workplace.
Offer coaching to support success at work.
Can you tell me more about Families Together and CHASE?
Families Together offers many programs and services, including free private assistance to young people, families and guardians. Families Together also helps with special education and transition needs, Social Security benefits, community resources and other transition programming.
CHASE is an eight-week Families Together program in which a specialist meets with young people one-on-one to teach important life skills, help build confidence and support self-advocacy. The CHASE curriculum includes:
Week 1 – Introduction & LifeCourse Trajectory
Week 2 – Self-Talk
Week 3 – Gratitude
Week 4 – Random Act of Kindness
Week 5 – Superhero Pose
Week 6 – Values
Week 7 – Soul Goal
Week 8 – Program Completion
How can I build leadership skills?
There are many ways to strengthen leadership skills. Young people are encouraged to visit a Workforce Center to explore possibilities. Those who qualify for knectY will be connected with a CHASE staff member who can share options.
What is competitive integrated employment?
Competitive integrated employment is when an employee with a disability works in the community alongside people without disabilities. They earn at least the minimum wage and receive equal pay for similar tasks as their peers without disabilities.
NEGOCIOSWORKS Network for Employment and Career Transition for Youth (knectY) is 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy ($7,135,150). For disability accommodations, please call (785) 559-1428.
Utilizamos cookies esenciales para el buen funcionamiento de este sitio. Haga clic en "Aceptar" para ayudarnos a mejorar su utilidad con cookies adicionales. Más información sobre el uso de cookies aquí.ACEPTARExclusión voluntaria
Política de privacidad y cookies
Protección de datos
Este sitio web utiliza cookies para mejorar su experiencia mientras navega por él. De estas cookies, las que se clasifican como necesarias se almacenan en su navegador, ya que son esenciales para el funcionamiento de las funciones básicas del sitio web. También utilizamos cookies de terceros que nos ayudan a analizar y comprender cómo utiliza este sitio web. Estas cookies se almacenarán en su navegador sólo con su consentimiento. También tiene la opción de excluirse de estas cookies. Sin embargo, la exclusión de algunas de estas cookies puede afectar a su experiencia de navegación.
Las cookies necesarias son absolutamente esenciales para que el sitio web funcione correctamente. Esta categoría sólo incluye cookies que garantizan funcionalidades básicas y características de seguridad del sitio web. Estas cookies no almacenan ninguna información personal.
Las cookies que no sean especialmente necesarias para el funcionamiento del sitio web y se utilicen específicamente para recopilar datos personales del usuario a través de análisis, anuncios u otros contenidos integrados se denominan cookies no necesarias. Es obligatorio obtener el consentimiento del usuario antes de utilizar estas cookies en su sitio web.
Español 
English 
日本語