New high school program helps Indianola students with disabilities join the workforce
The Transition Alliance Program, or TAP, is a partnership between the school district and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Other school districts across Iowa already have the program, but this is Indianola's first year with the initiative.
Indianola's TAP coordinator, Alivia Nelson, helps special education students determine what fields they find interesting to pursue after graduating from high school. She meets with students during a non-core class, like study hall, to gauge their interest.
Transparency concerns on the mind at Madison County Board of Supervisors meeting
'I really focus on what kids are telling me that they like. I try to ask them what they're interested in. If they don't know, that's okay, and I can say here's what we've done before,' she said.
Nelson then organizes field trips to different colleges and workplaces so students can see firsthand what different professionals do day-to-day. Students also get to job-shadow and intern, while some even get offered jobs as a result of the program.
'I encourage kids if they're not really sure to go on field trips if they can because it gives them that exposure to something new that they didn't know existed,' said Nelson.
Nelson has even connected with the community by taking students to local businesses across Indianola. One of her students now works at Savor the Rise, a local cafe, and another works at Pipsy's Wee Care and Pre School, a local daycare.
The program is important for students, according to Nelson, because not only is she helping them explore their interests and see if a specific career is suited for them, but she also helps them understand and navigate employment while they're still in high school.
'Indianola is a growing school district and it's amazing for all of the students to have opportunities, but I think special education students tend to be missed for one reason or another, and it's a great opportunity for those students to get involved with some activities and different ideas that they may not be exposed to before,' she said.
'Before They Were Soldiers' profiles Iowans who did not return from Vietnam
Students receive help applying for jobs, creating resumes, and perfecting interview skills. Once they secure an internship or job, she helps them understand expectations and navigate conflicts.
'Most of these kids are extremely capable of working, it's just they need to have the exposure and right support to get put in that position,' Nelson said.
Despite this being the first year of TAP, around 60 Indianola high schoolers are already enrolled. Nelson said her goal is to continue to grow the program.
Indianola daycare provider charged with murder in 4-month-old's death
New high school program helps Indianola students with disabilities join the workforce
Transparency concerns on the mind at Madison County Board of Supervisors meeting
'Before They Were Soldiers' profiles Iowans who did not return from Vietnam
A family affair at the Grand Blue Mile
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Lake Contrary weed treatment begins
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After a 24-hour delay, a Buchanan County contractor was able to take on the task of spraying weeds at Lake Contrary. A helicopter pilot sprayed Clearcast Aquatic Herbicide, an EPA-approved product, on more than 300 acres of land. High winds delayed the two-day project that was supposed to start on Monday and turned it into a one-day job on Tuesday. I believe that he wanted a drone photo of it sometime last week just to kind of see where the green was and all that stuff because there are certain areas where certain types of vegetation need a little bit more (Clearcast)," Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson said. A product overview on its website says the growth of sensitive plants will stop 24 hours after application. Nelson estimates that it will be six weeks before the aquatic herbicide kills the vegetation. "I think this takes a little while for it just because it's got to get absorbed, and then it's got to move down the root stem to the root ball, and then it starts to work on the root ball," he said. "I'm assuming that we're going to see the color changes and that sort of thing." The Missouri Office of Administration told the Buchanan County commissioners last October that taking care of the lake was their responsibility once it dried up. Nelson said removing the weeds is primarily to remove fire hazards. "This is the first step since we've been mandated by the state to maintain it," Nelson said. "So this is what we're doing to maintain it." Buchanan County received a permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on Friday to allow weed spraying, but the county still has not received a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the lake. "Other things have kind of crept up and overtaken it on the to-do list," Nelson said. "The big one being the (juvenile) detention center." Nelson said the weed spraying on Tuesday is the largest effort to remove vegetation at Lake Contrary that he can think of. Now, the county commission will observe the results over the next couple of months. "This is 300 acres that we want to get beat down and basically see how it does and then how long it lasts, Nelson said.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Lake Contrary weed treatment begins
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — After a 24-hour delay, a Buchanan County contractor was able to take on the task of spraying weeds at Lake Contrary. A helicopter pilot sprayed Clearcast Aquatic Herbicide, an EPA-approved product, on more than 300 acres of land. High winds delayed the two-day project that was supposed to start on Monday and turned it into a one-day job on Tuesday. I believe that he wanted a drone photo of it sometime last week just to kind of see where the green was and all that stuff because there are certain areas where certain types of vegetation need a little bit more (Clearcast)," Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Scott Nelson said. A product overview on its website says the growth of sensitive plants will stop 24 hours after application. Nelson estimates that it will be six weeks before the aquatic herbicide kills the vegetation. "I think this takes a little while for it just because it's got to get absorbed, and then it's got to move down the root stem to the root ball, and then it starts to work on the root ball," he said. "I'm assuming that we're going to see the color changes and that sort of thing." The Missouri Office of Administration told the Buchanan County commissioners last October that taking care of the lake was their responsibility once it dried up. Nelson said removing the weeds is primarily to remove fire hazards. "This is the first step since we've been mandated by the state to maintain it," Nelson said. "So this is what we're doing to maintain it." Buchanan County received a permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on Friday to allow weed spraying, but the county still has not received a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the lake. "Other things have kind of crept up and overtaken it on the to-do list," Nelson said. "The big one being the (juvenile) detention center." Nelson said the weed spraying on Tuesday is the largest effort to remove vegetation at Lake Contrary that he can think of. Now, the county commission will observe the results over the next couple of months. "This is 300 acres that we want to get beat down and basically see how it does and then how long it lasts, Nelson said.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Rum was born in Barbados, not Cuba
As a former high commissioner for Barbados to the United Kingdom, I need to address the assertion in your article that 'rum as we know it was invented in Cuba in 1862' (Over a barrel: lack of sugar throws Cuba's rum industry into crisis, 30 May). There are many things I commend Cuba for: its public health system and medical technologies, a strong sports culture, cigars and an overall resilience and innovativeness, as exemplified in the vintage American cars that cruise the streets of Havana. However, while Cuba, along with Barbados, Guatemala, Guyana and Haiti are the few countries where I imbibe 'Nelson's blood' due to a discerning palate, Barbados singularly deserves credit as the birthplace of rum. This tiny, most-easterly island in the Caribbean is the home of rum, made from molasses, the sweet, tar-like byproduct of sugar cane production, which was initially considered waste. A document from 1651 identifies 'rumbullion' as a pre-eminently Bajan product. Mount Gay rum, established in 1703 by Sir John Gay Alleyne, is the world's oldest continuously operating rum distillery. It is noteworthy that the smooth, velvety texture for which good rum is renowned is part of an evolutionary process. Before double distillation became standard, it had a harsh taste and carried the name 'Kill-devil' as its high alcohol content was considered devilish, able to easily overwhelm the drinker. That remains a possibility for the unwise or unsuspecting. As well as being the home of the oldest rum, Barbados also produces some of the best. The International Wine and Spirit Competition honoured the Barbados-brand RL Seale Distilling's Foursquare 14-year-old Equipoise rum with the 2024 rum trophy, recognising it as the world's finest rum. Guy HewittBrixton, London
