Transition Impact Awards:
- Most Transformative Provider
- Service Category: Workplace Soft Skills
At AVI Human Services, we’re proud to highlight the providers behind the measurable student growth recognized through the Transition Impact Awards. Adams 14 District School To Work Alliance Program (SWAP) was named a 2026 Most Transformative Provider for its work in Workplace Soft Skills.
After the awards were announced, we asked the Adams 14 SWAP team to tell us more about what makes their program successful and to share an example of what that impact can look like for a student. Melissa Crawford gave us a glimpse into the program.
Meeting Each Student Where They Are
For Adams 14 SWAP, individualized support and real-world experience are central to their approach:
“Adams 14 SWAP’s success comes from meeting each student where they are and providing individualized, hands-on support based on their strengths, interests, abilities, and career goals. We combine workplace soft-skills instruction with real-world experiences, including career exploration, industry tours, job shadowing, internships, entrepreneurship, and paid employment opportunities.”
That experience is paired with intentional opportunities for students to develop and practice the skills they will need in the workplace:
“Our approach emphasizes strong relationships, consistent encouragement, self-advocacy, and learning through practice. Students build essential skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, professionalism, time management, and adaptability in supportive environments where they feel safe taking risks and learning from mistakes.”
A Student-Centered, Community-Connected Approach
The Adams 14 SWAP team also credits collaboration with the people and organizations surrounding each student as an important part of their success.
“Collaboration with families, educators, community partners, and employers allows us to remove barriers and connect students with meaningful opportunities.”
Just as importantly, their approach is grounded in a belief in what each student can achieve:
“Most importantly, we believe every student has valuable strengths and the ability to succeed. We measure progress, celebrate growth, and adjust services based on each student’s evolving needs. This student-centered, community-connected approach helps participants gain confidence, develop lasting workplace skills, and successfully transition from school into employment and adulthood.”
From an Interest in Healthcare to a Career
When we asked Adams 14 SWAP to share a student success story, they described one young person who came to the program with an interest in healthcare, but without a clear path for turning that interest into a career.
“One student entered SWAP with a clear interest in healthcare but was unsure how to turn that interest into a career. Through individualized career counseling, workplace-readiness instruction, financial guidance, and ongoing encouragement, the student enrolled in and successfully completed a dental assistant training program.
SWAP helped the student strengthen communication, professionalism, self-advocacy, and confidence while navigating school and employment. After graduating from the program, the student secured a position as a dental assistant and received assistance obtaining the required work attire. The student now reports enjoying the work, patients, coworkers, and schedule.
This success demonstrates how personalized support, practical soft-skills development, and access to career training can help a young person move from uncertainty to education, meaningful employment, and greater independence.”
Adams 14 SWAP’s recognition as a 2026 Transition Impact Award winner reflects the growth captured in the data, but their story provides important context for what that growth looks like in practice: individualized support, opportunities to build skills through experience, and students moving toward meaningful employment and greater independence.
We’re proud to recognize Adams 14 District School To Work Alliance Program and the work they’re doing with students in their community.