Overview
Smart Transitions is an educational intervention developed by Tom Crockett and the Together We Can Foundation based on the philosophy that high-risk, vulnerable populations of youth deserve access to the same set of skills that benefit more affluent and well-connected youth and that correlate most closely with adult success.
Our Smart Transitions Life-Work Portfolio Course is designed to nurture and enhance skills in critical areas of adult life-work success such as self-awareness, goal identification and planning, personal brand building, personal presentation, career and post-secondary skills acquisition, network building, and behavioral modification to improve outcomes for youth who are struggling with the transition to adult life.
Within our service area of Hampton Roads and Southeastern Virginia, our trained and certified instructors offer this program to youth between the ages of 16 to 24 in partnership with schools, municipal agencies and local youth-serving, non-profits. While we do not have the capacity to present this program nationally, we can offer certification training online so that you can provide this course to your local community as a part of your current job or as an independent for-profit or non-profit business opportunity.
Proven Results
Between 2010 and the present, the Smart Transitions Life-Work Portfolio Course has reached over 13,000 youth. We are a data-driven organization and have tracked our program graduates for specific measurable outcomes since the launch of our programming.
- 92% of youth who complete our program earn a high school diploma on time (compared to 72% without intervention).
- 68% pursue post-secondary education or skills training (compared to 6% without intervention).
- 78% of youth report the ability to find and maintain employment (compared to 16% without intervention).
With over 15 years of strong and effective outcomes in preventing youth disconnection and improving outcomes for youth struggling with the transition to adult life and work from our programming efforts, we decided to provide those outside of our regional service area with training, materials, and resources to become Certified Smart Transitions Instructors.
This will enable and empower you to offer the Smart Transitions Life-Work Portfolio Training to youth in your care.
This instructor certification training equips educators and facilitators with the tools needed to deliver impactful youth development programs in their communities.
About the Smart Transitions Life-Work Portfolio Course
As a certified Smart Transitions Instructor, you will be trained to facilitate and present the Smart Transitions Life-Work Portfolio Course. This is a five 1.5- to 2-hour session, in-person training course designed to improve outcomes for youth struggling with the transition to adult life. It is well-documented to help high school and post-high school youth between the ages of 16 and 24 transition more effectively from high school to post-secondary skills training or education and to the workforce by focusing on critical success skills.
Specifically, it helps youth develop:
- a. Self-awareness and a personal/work brand based on their gifts, skills, passions, values, and aspirations.
- b. A life-work vision that provides purpose and perseverance.
- c. A life-work plan for transitioning into the adult world of work and independence.
- d. A professional, intentional personal/work brand for employers and peers.
- e. A personal presentation portfolio (resume, portrait, letters of recommendation, honors, awards, and certificates).
- f. Personal presentation skills and the ability to present themselves professionally.
- g. A support network to realize their vision.
This youth program training allows facilitators to guide participants through structured, evidence-based lessons that promote self-discovery, planning, and confidence.