Who we are
The Hinds County Senior Transition Program (HCSTP) is designed to help prepare qualified graduating High School Seniors to transition from the high school environment into an independent lifestyle at work or in college.
Developing Resources for Education in America, Inc. (DREAM) coordinates HCSTP under the guidance of Central Mississippi Planning and Development District (CMPDD), which serves as the fiscal agent for Southcentral Mississippi Works (SMW).
For the past 28 years, DREAM, a nonprofit organization founded in Jackson, MS has worked statewide implementing many youth programs including mentoring, student drug testing, and youth leadership development; developed drug education curriculum for schools such as Smart Choices; coordinated drug education campaigns such as Red Ribbon Week; conducted workshops and spoke in school assemblies and communities on alcohol, tobacco and drug issues; and managed local, state, and federal grant programs. Our vision is changing lives.
DREAM is proud to coordinate the Senior Transition Program and look forward to helping Hinds County high school seniors make a successful transition from high school.
How the Program Works
• Students are recruited for the program and are eligible if they are on track to graduate in the Spring, attend a public high school in Hinds County, meet certain income guidelines and have some work readiness barriers
• Students will prepare a written Personal Career Plan based on their interests, aptitudes and preferences.
• Build and sharpen their skills in a number of related disciplines through a series of interactive workshops.
• Transition Coordinators will assist participants in the preparation of their individual plans and throughout the program, and will schedule qualified members of local community businesses and/or public agencies to lead the workshops.
• Students will demonstrate mastery, as determined by the presenter and the Transition Coordinator of the workshop material through the completion of various projects or exercises. Documentation of each student’s work will be maintained in both the student’s notebook and the Coordinator’s case files, and will be collated into a portfolio with a Certificate of Completion upon completion of the Program.
• Students must complete all facets of the program in order to qualify for the $250 incentive.
Our Services
DREAM is committed to providing exemplary services to the students enrolled in the Hinds County Senior Transition Program (HCSTP). The following services are offered:
Workshop Coordination
DREAM has secured the highest caliber of volunteer workshop instructors from the private and public sectors who will deliver workshops for students enrolled in the program.
These workshops will be real-world, hands on workshops designed to increase students knowledge of workforce issues and life skills including, but not limited to work ethic, resume development, interview techniques, dressing for success, community and four-year college resources, coping skills, stress management and many more.
Resource Development
DREAM will coordinate trips for students to the Southcentral Mississippi Works WIN Job Centers so that students learn how to access the services of this One-Stop system, which includes job search tools, listings of available jobs, and many other resources that will help youth explore opportunities.
Supportive Services
In order to ensure students success, DREAM will offer assistance and/or referrals to child and dependent care. Also, referrals will be made to other social service providers based on student needs.
Counseling
Drug and alcohol abuse counseling, as well as referrals to other types of counseling as appropriate to the needs of the individual youth, will be provided under the program.
Follow-Up
Follow up services through telephone contacts, email, and letters will be provided to all
youth participants for a twelve-month period following exit from the program, which will ensure the ongoing success of the students.
Who is DREAM?
Developing Resources for Education in America, Inc. (DREAM®) is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization based in Jackson, MS. DREAM has been a nationally recognized innovator in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) and violence prevention and community mobilization in Mississippi since 1981. Our primary mission is to prevent youth substance abuse and promote healthy lifestyles through developing and providing effective products and services for schools, families, communities and businesses.
DREAM has been recognized across the Southeast for its leadership role in developing and delivering innovative education products and programs to schools, students, parents, communities and other treatment and prevention professionals for the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use and abuse among young people.
For nearly three decades DREAM has been a strong community organizer, convener, catalyst, and coalition builder in the war against drug use and abuse and efforts to help young people make healthy life choices. In this role, DREAM has worked with thousands of schools, youth groups, municipalities, and volunteer groups to create effective, award-winning programs that help our youth develop the character and self-esteem necessary to avoid the pitfalls of drug use, violence, teen pregnancy, and school dropout.
DREAM is proud to coordinate the Hinds County Senior Transition Program and looks forward to helping Hinds County high school seniors make a successful transition from high school into the next phase of their lives.
