DVR 2026 Summer Work Programs
Alaska Gateway School District – Mentasta Lake Katie John School
Mentasta is offering 4 summer positions in June for students ages 14-18 years old to assist with general building cleaning, painting, general upkeep and educator support for the upcoming school year.
Contact: Brian Padrones (bpadrones@agsd.us)
Additionally, the Maintenance department has 2 positions from June 1 to August 7, 2026, where students ages 14-18 years old will help prepare buildings and vehicles – tasks to include cleaning, painting, and general upkeep.
Contact: Wade Boney (wboney@agsd.us) 907-883-5151 ext. 114
Anchorage School District – ACT students
A hybrid work experience program providing participants with either a Project-Based Work Experience or a Community-Based Work Experience, 7 hours per day for 4 weeks. Participants are students with a disability, ages 18 to 22 that will be placed in the setting that best aligns with their skill level and support needs.
Contact: Don Clack (clack_don@asdk12.org)
ARC of Anchorage
We are committed to crafting an exceptional experience for our young participants, ensuring they not only learn valuable skills but also have a blast getting a head start on building their work ethic. Let’s make work feel like play and pave the way for their bright futures.
Program dates: June 2nd – June 30th (first session). July 1 – July 31, 2026 (2nd session).
Contact: Noelle Spafford (nspafford@thearcofanchorage.org) 907-777-0313
Arctic Access
Arctic Access in Nome, AK will run a summer work program, focusing on youth between the ages of 14 to 20. We will primarily work with youth that are Junior High to Juniors in High school facing barriers and disabilities. Youth will get to participate in a well-paying work experience of their choice. We have community-based jobs as well as individualized jobs. These jobs could be working for the Pilgrim Hot Springs Garden Project to individualized businesses like Kewitt and Corporations such as Bering Straits Development Corp/Kawerak. Sign up with Miss Peters at Nome Beltz at 907-434-1694or with Arctic Access, Denice Gilroy at 907-434-1682 to claim the job of your choice. Please note, first come, first pick! Deadline for getting your paperwork into Miss Peters is June 12, 2026. The program will run between July 1st to August 7th, 2026. Since the school year calendar has been modified and youth will be returning to school earlier, we will be accommodating your summer fun time, which means 5 weeks of intensive work participation. Get ready to grind out some work and make some MONEY!!!
Contact: Denice Gilroy (arcticaccessnome@gci.net) 907-434-1682
Cordova School District
Cordova School District Summer Work Program (SWP) begins May 22nd and runs through June 30, 2026. Students will work in jobs that give them employment skills during the 6-week program. During the 6-week SWP, students have the opportunity to work at a job for 145 hours. There is a classroom instruction component, 15 hours of paid time. The teens will learn budgeting, resume writing, job interview skills, team building, plus more. Students will be paid $15 per hour for on-the-job training.
We will support students ages 14-21 who have not graduated and are either on an IEP, 504 or have a barrier to employment.
Contact: Neva Nolan (nnolan@cordovasd.org) 907-424-3266
Independent Living Center (ILC) – Kenai Peninsula
The Independent Living Center (ILC) Summer Work Program (SWP) is a paid opportunity designed to help students bridge the gap between school and the professional world. We are seeking motivated students ages 14-21 who will be enrolled in school for the FY26-27 school year and have an IEP, 504 plan, or documented disability. This immersive program allows participants to earn a wage while practicing essential work-readiness skills, exploring diverse career options, and gaining a firsthand understanding of workplace expectations.
Program dates: June 1, 2026 – June 26, 2026
Central Contact: Kaitlyn Norris (knorris@peninsulailc.org) 907-262-6333
Homer Contact: Kenny Daher (kdaher@peninsulailc.org) 907-235-7911
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
The KPBSD Summer Work Program is an excellent opportunity for students to gain important work experience while being paid! This is a great step for students who qualify for the program to work on skills to help them transition from school to adulthood.
Program Requirements:
Ages 14-21, Participants must be a current student of KPBSD School enrolled in 26-27 school year, have an IEP, 504 plan or be potentially eligible for DVR services, be eligible to work in Alaska and present a social security card and complete a district application.
Program Dates:
06/01/26 to 06/26/26
Contact: Stephanie Burns, (sburns2@kpbsd.k12.ak.us) 907-260-2308
Kiita Learning Community, NSBSD
This is the first time we will be running the Summer Work Program. We plan to recruit 3-5 workers to assist with sales and organizing inventory. Only students from ages 14-21, enrolled in high school with a disability or potentially eligible with a suspected disability are eligible. The store will train students to gain real life working experiences by following a work schedule, performing assigned tasks such as process of donations, maintaining store operation, and providing customer service. Students will need to complete a job application, conduct an interview, and complete onboard paperwork such as form I-9 and W-4. The hiring process is designed for students to learn skills to seek and pursuit employment after graduating high school.
Contact: Alex Ting, (alex.ting@nsbsd.org) 907-852-9754
Lower Kuskokwim School District
The LKSD Summer Work Program trains students, ages 14-21, to enter the workforce as valuable employees, equipped with the skills necessary to attain and maintain employment. Our goal is to increase our students’ ability to pursue careers that pay well and are meaningful to them. This program has two components: 145 hours of direct work experience at local businesses and 15 hours of career coaching and soft skills instruction. Who can apply: Any LKSD student with a disability, IEP, 504, or any youth who could potentially qualify for services.
Contact: Alicia Miner (Alicia_miner@lksd.org), Zuly Pitre (zuly_pitre@lksd.org) or Peter Miner (peter_miner@lksd.org)
Metlakatla Indian Community
This summer we are going to continue the beautification project and work on trails and public parks along with teaching basic job skills.
Ages: 14 to high school seniors
Contact: Franki Williams, Michele Gunyah or JR McGilton at: 907-886-5872
SAIL Gustavus
The SAIL Gustavus Summer Work Program offers a 6-week employment opportunity for students to gain valuable employment experience by working at a community business of their field of interest. Students must be enrolled in school between the ages of 14-21 to participate. Students who have an IEP, 504 plan, or are potentially eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services should apply.
Program dates: June 15, 2026-July 24, 2026, 25 hours a week
Deadline to apply: May 29, 2026
Contact Ashleigh Reed (areed@sailinc.org), 1-888-471-1332
SAIL Haines
The SAIL Haines Summer Work Program offers a 6-week employment opportunity for students to gain valuable employment experience by working at a community business of their field of interest. Students must be enrolled in school and between the ages of 14-21 to participate. Students who have an IEP, 504 plan or are potentially eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services should apply.
Program dates: June 15 to July 24, 2026, 25 hours a week
Deadline to apply: May 15, 2026
Contact: Ashleigh Reed (areed@sailinc.org), 907-713-4346
SAIL Juneau
Youth Employment in the Parks – Teens work on trails and parks throughout Juneau for full days Monday through Friday. Fridays will be a half day where there will be a focus on team building, discovering future work skills, and educational goals. Returning or familiar students will have the option to be placed at an individual placement.
Program dates: June 1 to July 24, 2026.
Who can apply: A student with a disability ages 14 to 18 years old who has an IEP, 504 plan, and is potentially eligible for DVR services and is currently enrolled in school.
Contact: Michelle Eng (meng@sailinc.org) 1-888-487-0968
SAIL Ketchikan
The Summer Work Program is a 6-week paid outdoor work experience for students ages 14 to 21 where they will learn valuable employment and independent living skills. Students should be currently enrolled for the 2026-2027 school year. Open to students who have an IEP, 504 plan, or who identify as having anxiety, trauma, depression or any non-apparent disability are encouraged to apply. Deadline to apply: May 29, 2026
Program dates: June 22nd to July 31, 2026
Contact: Ashleigh Reed (areed@sailinc.org) , 1-888-471-1332
SAIL Sitka
The Sitka Summer Work Program is a community-based program that runs for 6 weeks. The first day of work is June 15, and the last day of work is July 24, 2026. We partner with Sitka Trail Works, Alaska State Parks, National Forest Service, etc., on trail and park maintenance throughout Sitka. Additionally, we have individual placements at a business or organization in town. We also spend time each week discovering future careers and educational goals.
Who can apply: A student with a disability age 14 -21 years old who has an IEP or 504, or who is potentially eligible for DVR services and is currently enrolled in school, can apply.
Application deadline: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Contact: Jordan Tanguay (jtanguay@sailinc.org)
Wasilla Behavioral Health – (Family Centered Services of Alaska)
Program runs from June 1 to July 10, 2026. In this program, the youth will learn how to work as a team and develop work skills while offering direct services to local agencies, community parks, and recreational areas. The youth will participate in soft skills training lessons developed to increase knowledge of career opportunities, introduce budgeting skills, resume writing and interviewing practice.
Contact: Alexa Sepnafski (asepnafski@fcsa-ak.com) 907-357-7519 ext.109
last updated: May 1, 2026
