Investing in Tomorrow's Workplace- Spotlight Intern Recognition Program

The goal of the L.I.F.E. (Learning Independent Functional Employment) Program’s Investing in Tomorrow's Workplace- Intern Recognition Program is to spotlight and reinforce an intern who is demonstrating positive workplace behaviors. The recognition program also hopes to increase student engagement, confidence, and employability skills among young adults with special needs, ages 18 to 22. The L.I.F.E. Program is offered through Barron Collier High School in partnership with Royal Poinciana Golf Club and Collier County Public Schools. Royal Poinciana Golf Club fosters a workplace culture grounded in the core values of integrity, teamwork, respect, accountability, trust, honesty, and stewardship. All employees are expected to uphold these values, which the club consistently models throughout. Likewise, our interns are expected to demonstrate these same values as they participate in meaningful, structured work experiences designed to prepare them for future employment and independent living. Through a structured recognition and incentive program, interns will be encouraged and rewarded every 2 months for consistently exhibiting these essential workplace attributes, practicing good attendance and punctuality, demonstrating growth, and following all school, program, and RP rules and expectations.

Interns will participate in monthly instruction focused on Royal Poinciana Golf Club's core workplace values through lessons, videos, discussions, role-playing activities, and real-world workplace application. Students will develop the professional behaviors and soft skills necessary for success in competitive employment. Each month, students will reflect on their learning by creating a presentation slide highlighting the featured core value, culminating in a year-end showcase of their growth and accomplishments. To reinforce these skills, interns who consistently demonstrate positive workplace behaviors may be nominated for the Intern Recognition Program. Monthly honorees will receive recognition at a small celebration, a certificate, and L.I.F.E. Bucks that can be redeemed for rewards through the program's PBIS system for biannual shopping trips. By combining direct instruction, hands-on workplace experiences, and meaningful positive reinforcement, this project will increase students' confidence, self-advocacy, attendance, professionalism, and readiness for successful employment and independent living.

The benefits of the Intern Recognition Program help the interns learn an invaluable set of workplace principles that will help them obtain and maintain future employment. This incentive will increase student motivation, engagement, workplace attendance, and punctuality while reinforcing positive work habits and professional behaviors. The program will also help build self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment among our interns. Students are more likely to repeat exceptional workplace behaviors when they see those behaviors recognized and rewarded. Through this initiative, interns will develop stronger responsibility, accountability, teamwork, communication, and self-advocacy skills that are essential for long-term success in the workforce. Success will be measured through improvements in worksite evaluations, increased attendance and participation, demonstration of the core workplace values, and positive feedback from supervisors and job coaches. By celebrating interns' growth and contributions, we foster a culture of excellence, inclusion, and high expectations that prepares students for meaningful employment and independent living. The outcomes of this project will not only be reflected in measurable student growth but also in the pride, excitement, and smiles on our interns' faces as they receive their well-earned recognition.

Funding for this project will support the L.I.F.E. Program's monthly Intern Recognition Initiative, which celebrates students who consistently demonstrate Royal Poinciana Golf Club's core workplace values of integrity, teamwork, respect, accountability, trust, honesty, and stewardship. For five months, one outstanding intern will be recognized for modeling these values in the workplace and will receive $25 in L.I.F.E. Bucks, the program's positive behavior incentive currency. Students may redeem their earned Bucks for gift cards during biannual shopping trips, providing authentic opportunities to practice financial literacy, budgeting, goal-setting, and responsible decision-making. An additional $25 per month will be used to provide refreshments for a small recognition celebration honoring the Intern of the Month. These celebrations create a positive and inclusive environment that fosters pride, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment while reinforcing the workplace behaviors that lead to success. This funding will sustain a meaningful incentive and recognition system that encourages students to consistently apply professional skills learned through their community-based internships. By recognizing and rewarding excellence, the project promotes attendance, engagement, self-confidence, workplace readiness, and independence among young adults with special needs. The initiative aligns with Collier County Public Schools' commitment to career and life readiness by providing authentic opportunities for students with disabilities to develop the skills, habits, and confidence necessary for successful employment and productive adult lives. Through positive reinforcement and celebration of achievement, this project empowers L.I.F.E. students to reach their full potential and become valued members of the workforce and community.

250.00

LIFE bucks gift card- 5 months x $25

$125.00

recognition celebration- 5 months x $25

$125.00

Dawn Bailey