Hi, was just looking to see if anyone has had experience with the Job Corps. My son can graduate this spring. He is in a special ed program. His teachers want him to continue in school, but he really really doesn't want to do that. He mentioned joining the army, but I'm not sure he is mature enough for that. Then he talks about going to college. He doesn't understand how difficult that would be. He just isn't college material. A friend recommended the Job Corps and I just wanna find out from people with personal experience if they think it would be beneficial for my son. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

Its wrong of you to say that he isn't college material, everyone can have their chance. Plus being in the special ed program, he may be up for many scholarships that most people can't touch.
Don't take away his dreams cause -you- aren't ready/ don't believe in him.
It may shock you in the end.

That's not really addressing the subject of Job Corps. You do not know my child, so I really don't want your opinion on anything besides the topic.

Sorry lady, i only speak the truth.
and i don't know anything about the job corps.

Why would you say about your SON:

He is Special Ed

Then he is thinking about the Army...which would not take him if he truly is Spec. ED

The say He is not college material

The ask about the J. Corp.

Are you enabling him?
If he is an adult and capable of making his own decisions let him.

Ok, guess I shouldn't have mentioned all the other facts because it seems people can't stay on topic.

Job Corps works for some and doesn't for others, it is actually really simple if one just pays attention and does what is asked. I don't really have experience as I never actually went but I knew a lot of people that did. For the most part they graduated and went on with their life, but there is the occasional one or two that just dropped it altogether. I would look into the success rate of the place in question before putting too much faith into it, call and ask them questions if you have any concerns.

thank you Fear.

I used to be a youth counselor at a job corps center in the late 90's. dont know how things have changed since then.

The Program is really is pretty good depending on which career path he would chose, but keep this in mind as well, there is no guarentees that he will either complete the course or chose a career that has a lot of options on the 'outside'.

They center around education, completing HS diplomas for youth 16-24, who have not received them. In some cases there is the oppertunity to go to a JUCO but those are rare and very competitive.

Job corps has a lot of rules and requirements once the student is enrolled. there are searches every time a student comes on a center unescorted, there are lights out times, wake up early etc etc, and absolutely no tolerance for drugs and alcohol.

Some centers have an ROTC program as well. there are a lot of different options, but the job corps program is good for what it is.

ON THE OTHER hand, whats wrong with joining the army, we take kids and turn them into men, hahahahahahaha.... seriously, we can be a blessing or a curse. its not a bad way to go either. But if your kid has mental worries (specialed) learning disabilities and the such, maybe job corps is for him.


you can do a search to read up on all the different things that are offered, just dont let the rose colored glasses they portrait themselves thru cloud your opinions. its a government program, contracted out in some cases to private companies like Minact.

anyway, good luck,


doc

your son wont qualify for the army.
i have a son that is a specail needs child, and he lives with my mom, and right after he graduated, she got a phone call from the army to see if he would want to sign up. and my mom told them, you can take him but he cant read and he wont understand.. as for the job corps, i dont know if he would understand that either, i was in there 26yrs ago for brief time and i didnt like it

Job Corps SUX! Believe me, I went there. For a year and a half. It's embarassing to even admit it.

I don't know much about this subject, I do have a friend and all of his boys were in the ROTC program. They are all now listed in the Army and he now has 2 sons in Iraq.
I googled Job Corps for you and I came up with this:
http://jobcorps.dol.gov/about.htm
It did give an 800 number for you to call and you can ask any questions that you might have. (800)-773-JOBS
I agree with everyone else though...I don't think you should say that college is off limits to your child. They do have help for special needs students. Why not talk with your child and ask them what they really want?
Also, when you post in a thread, everyone is going to give you their opinion...so when you tell them to stick to the topic, maybe you should have never brought up that he is not college material!! Only you are stopping his dreams...so maybe you need to think about that. Our children need to spread their wings and maybe you are afraid to let him go because he is a special needs child...thats just my opinion BUT you have to cut those apron strings sometime!!!
Good luck

Thank you to those that answered my specific question. We've decided the Job Corps wouldn't be a good fit for him.

As for the other comments, I already HAVE TALKED to my son, I have talked to his teachers. They tell me that more than likely he could not pass the entrance exams most colleges require, and would have to take multiple developmental courses at the college before he could even begin taking basic courses. He can get this for free by continuing in his regular school. They also mentioned he would receive LESS "HELP" than he gets at his school. I never said it wouldn't be possible in the future. When he mentions going to college, it is on a whim. He doesn't understand the concept and the hard work it would take. He doesn't make the effort to try to achieve his "DREAMS".
And you better believe I am ready to let him go. I have raised him as a single parent for the majority of his life. I was upset when they recommended he continue school because it delayed me following a dream of my own. None the less, I am a good parent, so I am again putting my desires aside to do what is best for my child. Some of you are just so negative and quick to judge.

I have learned from my own experiences that when you judge another, you are eventually put into a very similar situation. Then you definitely can see things from another perspective. Gotta love Karma!
Peace and Love to you all.

i was in for two years i got a chance to meet people from many different states many different back grounds.the best part was to get from those that had no out look on life and that within it self was worth the effort.

the turth is think twice speak once or not at all.

it may not have been the job corps,everyone that was at the where i was that wanted to better themselves did.

you have a son that lives with your mom and you have room to talk about somebody else?