LAUNCH (Launching Youth into Work & Life) works with local schools to promote employment for students who have an intellectual disability. The LAUNCH program supports students in preparing for work in school, at home and in the community.

The LAUNCH Program includes:

Workshops: for students in-class to learn about work-related topics, career exploration and explore employment goals

Summer Employment Program: students secure a paid job for the summer with the support of a job coach. Registration for this program will be posted in February 2027

Year 7 Co-op Observational Support: Identified Year 7 students are connected with a Career Connection staff to meet at 4 different points in the year – beginning of school to identify goals for final year, during first semester co-op placement to provide observational feedback, during second semester co-op placement to provide observational feedback and during the last 1-2 months of school year to support with a transitional plan upon graduation.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be enrolled and attending a Mississauga based high school
• Meet Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) eligibility requirements
• Resident of Mississauga
• Ages 16-25 for the Summer Employment Program only, must be returning to school after summer

For more information, please contact us at CareerConnectionCC@clmiss.ca.

Fee-for-service job coaching supports designed to support people who have an intellectual disability succeed in the workplace.

What’s Included:

• Support with first day/orientation
• Support through job coaching plan and fade-out model
• Check-in with employer and service provider throughout the job coaching plan
• Follow-up with service provider – 2 to 4 weeks after job coaching plan is completed

Rate: $80 per hour

Billing: Utilize Employment Related Financial Supports (ERFS); Passport eligible

Eligibility:

• Must have an intellectual disability
• Qualify for Developmental Services Ontario (DSO)
• Resident of Mississauga
• Will consider supporting at businesses located outside of Mississauga

For more information, please contact us at CareerConnectionCC@clmiss.ca.

Offering a variety of comprehensive skill development workshop series to support people who have an intellectual disability with enhancing work related skills, independence skills and skills related to the achievement of specific goals and outcomes.

Below is a breakdown of workshops that have been offered in the past and upcoming workshops for 2026:

Connect & Thrive – This 3-week workshop series supports people with developing practical computer and technology skills essential for greater independence in their personal and

professional lives. With a 4:1 participant-to-staff ratio, participants receive individualized support in navigating digital tools, applications, and safe online practices. Each session combines classroom learning with community-based skill building.

Cooking Up Confidence – This 3-week workshop series supports in developing essential cooking, nutrition, and food safety skills. Participants receive guided, hands-on instruction, and community-based learning. An optional 1-week add-on is available for those interested in employment in food services, including support to complete Food Handler Certification.

Dollars & Sense – This 3-week workshop series is designed to support in developing essential financial literacy skills through both classroom and hands-on learning. Participants will explore key concepts like budgeting, banking, spending, saving, avoiding scams, and working with money systems such as a Point of Sale.

First Aid/CPR – This two-day standard First Aid and CPR certificate course provides participants with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to respond confidently to common medical emergencies. Delivered in an accessible learning environment with support, the workshop uses practical demonstrations, guided practice, and interactive activities to help participants build confidence and develop life-saving skills.

Food Handlers Certification – This 5-day workshop series supports with the review and learning of the Food Handlers course and through interactive learning, practice testing, and a hands-on application, participants will build the knowledge and confidence needed to successfully complete their Food Handlers certification. The completion of the Food Handlers certification test is through a supported model.

Healthy Relationships – This 4-week workshop series will help participants develop the knowledge and skills needed to build, maintain, and navigate healthy relationships. Through interactive learning, participants will explore topics such as boundaries, communication, consent, self-advocacy, and recognizing healthy vs. unhealthy relationship. Partnering with a Behaviour Therapist to deliver this program, providing participants with expert guidance and practical strategies.

Level Up: Customer Service – This 3-week workshop series provides participants with a foundation in delivering excellent customer service across retail, food service, and office environments. A combination of classroom learning, community-based, and interactive activities, participants will develop communication skills, understand customer and employer expectations, and build confidence in professional service interactions.

The program will also include hands-on simulations and interactive components using a Point-of-Sale (POS) system

Navigating the Transit System – beginner and 2.0 – This 4-week hands-on workshop series offers support to learn and navigate the transit system in Mississauga. This workshop offers a combination of in-class and community-based learning. It supports to build confidence with accessing the community, how to trip plan, bus etiquette, safety. etc. Navigating the Transit System 2.0 offers a workshop series to build on the skills learned in Navigating the Transit System and the opportunity to expand on transit system knowledge outside of the city of Mississauga.

Rise & Thrive – This 6-week workshop series offers support to build foundational skills for independence and employment such as: personal safety, digital literacy, transit skills, cooking and meal prep, etc. Learning is facilitated through a variety of methods – in-class, hands on skills in action and guest speakers

Road Ready: G1 Practise & Study – This 7-day workshop series prepares participants for the G1 written test by covering road signs, traffic laws, driving scenarios, and vehicle safety and maintenance. Through interactive learning, practice testing, and a hands-on vehicle tour, participants will build the knowledge and confidence needed to successfully complete their G1 exam.

Upcoming Sessions: 2026

September/October/November

Road Ready: G1 Practise & Study – REGISTER HERE

Dollars & Sense – wait list only – REGISTER HERE

First Aid/CPR – REGISTER HERE

Navigating the Transit System (ages 36-55) – REGISTER HERE (Morning Session)      REGISTER HERE (Afternoon Session)

Navigating the Transit System 2.0 – REGISTER HERE (Morning Session)      REGISTER HERE (Afternoon Session)

Connect & Thrive – REGISTER HERE (Morning Session)      REGISTER HERE (Afternoon Session)

Workshop Fees and Registration

These workshop series are Fee for Service, payable through MyCommunityHub. The registration link will be sent separately. The fee is reimbursable through Passport Funding.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be between 18 and 35 years of age (unless otherwise indicated on registration)
• Meet Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) eligibility requirements
• Complete payment through MyCommunityHub
• Have access to reliable transportation to and from the program
• Be able to access supports within a 4:1 participant-to-staff ratio
• Be able to participate in group-based learning and community-based activities with the level of support available through the program

For more information, please contact us at CareerConnectionCC@clmiss.ca.

Comprehensive fee-for-service 3-week work readiness program designed for people who have an intellectual disability with little to no previous work experience who are interested in exploring employment, building foundational workplace skills, and preparing for future work opportunities.

Work Ready 360 is intended for participants who identify employment as a personal goal, whether they are ready to pursue work in the near future or are beginning to build the skills, confidence, and experience needed to work toward employment over time.

Participants engage in a combination of classroom-based learning, hands-on activities, workplace tours, and career-focused exploration. These experiences help participants better understand employer expectations, identify areas of interest, and learn more about the variety of opportunities available in today’s workforce.

Upcoming Sessions: 2026

September 14 – October 2 – REGISTER HERE

November 2 – November 20 – check back soon for registration link

Program Fee and Registration

The program is Fee for Service, payable through MyCommunityHub. The registration link will be sent separately. The fee is reimbursable through Passport Funding.

Eligibility Requirements

• Identify employment as a personal goal, either in the near future or as a longer-term objective
• Complete payment through MyCommunityHub
• Be between 18 and 50 years of age
• Meet Developmental Services Ontario (DSO) eligibility requirements
• Have access to reliable transportation to and from the program
• Be able to access supports within a 4:1 participant-to-staff ratio
• Be able to participate in group-based learning and community-based activities with the level of support available through the program

For more information, please contact us at CareerConnectionCC@clmiss.ca.