Program Components:

Career counseling/exploration

Dena Bliss, Employment Specialist

1501 Mendocino Ave

Santa Rosa, CA 95401

707-527-4822

Patie Wegman, Coordinator of Disability Resources

707-527-4906

pwegman@santarosa.edu

employment in a self-selected occupational or career area. The program serves students with a

variety of educational objectives, including those obtaining a certificate or degree, or increasing

life skills and employability. The program works with disabled students at any level, providing

job development services such as:

The college has approximately 2,000 disabled students, each of which is a participant in the

college’s case management system. These students are referred to the program. Other referrals

come from the Department of Rehabilitation, or from faculty who are aware of program services.

An employment specialist conducts the assessments, works with students on employability skills,

assists them with job placement, and refers them to the Career Center.

Each student that completes a significant milestone (e.g. receives certificate or degree; becomes

employed) receives a congratulations card from the program. The program sees a high percentage

of participants pursuing either a certificate or achieving a life-altering change.

The practice depends on having a positive, energetic employment specialist to staff the program –

a person who loves the job, loves the students, and understands the realities of the world of work.

Staff has to look forward to the challenges and opportunities that each student faces, and be

tenacious.