Future Quest 2009

A College and Career Forum for Students with Disabilities was held on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at the Johnson Center at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

NoVaHealthFORCE staff and Stefan Charles-Pierre, Disabilities Counselor at Northern Virginia Community College gave an overview of the career preparation opportunities for health care that are available at Northern Virginia Community College's Medical Education Campus. From entry level to professional degrees, participants learned about the career pathways that are available in the region in the high demand industry of health care.

Future Quest offers workshops on transition planning, options after high school, the college application process, preparing for admission testing, financial aid; supports and resources in college and career/technical schools; strategies for academic excellence; community college opportunities; career planning; and career opportunities. Representatives from colleges, universities, technical schools, and adult service and advocacy agencies answered questions from students and parents. Networking opportunities allowed students with disabilities and their parents to share ideas, information and resources with one another and with service-providing agencies and other professionals.

The keynote speaker was Jennifer Kemp, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy as the senior youth policy advisor. 
Future Quest is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Transition Coalition (NVTC), a nonprofit collaborative partnership of six area public school systems (Alexandria City, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Falls Church City, Loudoun County, and Prince William County); George Mason University; Northern Virginia Community College; the Parent Education Advocacy Training Center; and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services.