As you may have read in our December 2nd article, Kent Vocational Options and Community Based Occupational Training (KVO & CBOT) works in cooperation with Grand Rapids Public Schools Nutrition Services to provide vocational training to individuals who qualify for special education services at four of the districts middle schools. Before these students are able to participate in the middle school food service program however, many may need initial training in a more supported setting to learn more foundational skills. This more supported learning takes place daily at the Kent Intermediate School District’s Lincoln School Cafeteria.

Pictured are Richie and Chad, two students in our KVO Group One and Two classrooms. Richie is 20 years old with hopes of one day working at a restaurant such as Olga’s kitchen doing dishes, vacuuming or washing tables. He and his classroom participate weekly in this vocational training learning foundation skills such as following multiple step directions, maintaining an appropriate work pace, completing tasks to a standard and working as part of a team. Richie says he enjoys vacuuming and taking out the garbage and is working toward becoming independent enough to get paid for his work. 

This is Chad’s last year at KVO and he hopes to one day work at Billy’s Lounge. "I like doing tables. That’s my favorite part that I like," says Chad. 

KVO and CBOT provide multiple differentiated levels of programming to meet individual student where they are. Becky Cribley, the teacher in KVO’s Group One classroom works with their students, along with Employment Training Specialists Char Dunn, John Lemmenes and Mary Darcey, by daily focusing on vocational skills, daily living, community participation and functional academics. "Participating in the food service program helps my students work on their employability skills to work in restaurants, nursing homes or other settings that they may wish to seek employment,” says Cribley.