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EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine Schools and Threshold Residential Services (TRS) -- the two biggest employers in the village -- are joining forces to give students considering careers in direct care a headstart and give TRS a direct pipeline to future providers, both announced in a joint press release Friday.
According to the press release, East Palestine High School and TRS will launch a new training program for students looking for a career path in the developmental disabilities profession. This program will not only work towards enhancing workforce development in East Palestine following the Feb. 3 train derailment but will also allow students to take a specialized course learning about the care of individuals with developmental disabilities while getting practical experience working as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for TRS.
Students will be able to register for the innovative class this fall. In tandem with what they will learn in the classroom, the students will also receive internship hours at TRS. Upon graduation, students then have the opportunity to transition to full-time direct support professionals for TRS without needing additional training, education or certification.
TRS CEO Chris Page said the course is a win-win for both the students, TRS and the Bulldog community.
"Positively impacting East Palestine and our surrounding communities is a critical part of our mission at Threshold. This new program benefits the entire East Palestine community," he said. "Students now have the opportunity to learn new trade skills before they graduate from high school and our residents get more individualized care as a result of the program."
Currently, teachers at East Palestine High School are undergoing training from the Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (OADSP) to be able to successfully and effectively teach students about caring for individuals with developmental disabilities, the press release said.
The partnership with TRS keeps with the initiative of East Palestine Schools' to broaden horizons for current students and add to their possibilities following graduation.
"Providing opportunities for our students that allow them to explore post-graduation options has continually been a focus for our district," said Emily Randolph, East Palestine School Counselor. "This partnership with TRS not only gives them that opportunity but encourages them to work within our community to gain the skills necessary for their future."
Ultimately, the DSP course will give students practical professional experience before leaving the halls of the high school and introduce them to a career centered around caring that they may have not considered before.
"Partnering with TRS to launch this program gives our students here in East Palestine, more opportunities to gain experience in the workforce," said East Palestine Superintendent, Chris Neifer. "We're excited for our students to gain employment experience, specifically in a sector centered around helping others."