YES, Always You! Academy: Empowering Futures Through Actionable Transition
YES, Always You! Academy is a county-wide transition initiative that prepares high school students with diverse abilities for life beyond graduation. Through coordinated partnerships, applied learning experiences, and systems of support that promote independence, the program delivers purpose-driven outcomes that affirm student capability and strengthen postsecondary readiness.
Hosted monthly at the Community College of Beaver County, each session is free of charge and includes lunch. Themed and intentionally sequenced, sessions are designed to develop practical skills, broaden awareness of postsecondary pathways, and connect students with professionals and industries across sectors. Students gain repeated exposure to environments, expectations, and decision points that are essential for effective transition planning.
This initiative aligns with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Pennsylvania’s 10-Year Economic Development Strategy. It supports the Commonwealth’s commitment to improving Indicator 13 and Indicator 14 outcomes by offering measurable, high-impact programming that strengthens the path from high school to employment, education, and training.
A Pathway Designed for Impact
Core Elements of the Academy
- College-Based Learning Environment
Students participate in programming on a college campus, gaining early exposure to higher education, independence, and a vibrant, future-focused learning space that reflects their potential. - Career Awareness and Workforce Readiness
Interactive sessions, industry-aligned presentations, and hands-on activities expose students to career pathways and teach essential employability skills, connecting personal goals to future opportunities. - Life Skills and Independence
Sessions focus on real-life competencies, including communication, time management, financial literacy, social decision-making, and self-advocacy, equipping students to navigate life with confidence. - Integrated School and Family Engagement
Districts coordinate transportation, and students remain connected to their IEP teams. The program fosters consistent collaboration between families, educators, and community partners to support long-term outcomes. - Milestone Recognition and Celebrations
Students are recognized for progress throughout the year, with celebrations that reinforce growth, achievement, and the community’s investment in their success.
Why It Matters
In Beaver County, 72% of working-age residents ages 16–24 are not currently engaged in the workforce. This reality reflects a critical need for intentional, outcomes-based transition programming that closes gaps and activates potential.
YES, Always You! Academy offers a direct, measurable solution. By aligning education, workforce, and community assets, the initiative advances postsecondary transition, strengthens regional talent pipelines, and promotes long-term economic mobility for students with IEPs.
The model is strategic, outcomes-driven, and equity-centered. It is built to affirm capacity, extend access, and deliver pathways that students, and communities can build upon.
Ready to Say YES?
Enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year is now open, and the year ahead is set to deliver powerful momentum and life-changing outcomes.
Families interested in YES, Always You! can contact us directly or begin the conversation with their child’s transition coordinator or special education director.
We are proud to be working in partnership with all 14 school districts in Beaver County as well as New Horizons School to support student transitions that are bold, supported, and future-focused.