Jennings, Missouri, May 2, 2018– Jennings School District and CVS Health are pleased to announce its new workforce development partnership and creation of a CVS Mock Pharmacy to help teach students of all abilities important life and customer skills while still in school. On May 11th at 10 am, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held to celebrate the opening of the CVS Mock Pharmacy at Jennings Gary Gore Community Center. This is the first and only CVS Mock Pharmacy in the St. Louis Area. In partnership with the Special School District and this new workforce development program includes new courses that allow students of various ability levels to gain Customer Service experience and Sales Certifications, as well as the opportunity for internships with their local CVS Pharmacy.
The new program uses training developed by CVS Health and RISE Up National Curricula to empower all students, and especially those with special needs, to be work-ready. Dr. Theresa L. Badgett, Jennings Senior High School JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) program specialist, and JAG students, Devon Townsend, Zion Smith and Leniah Lawrence helped to create the mock pharmacy setting, and five educators, including Dr. Theresa L. Badgett, JAG Specialist were trained by CVS Health to deliver this curriculum. The JAG Students Devon Townsend and Zion Smith received certificates of appreciate from Jennings School District and gift cards from CVS. JAG students will continue to serve as technical assistants for the CVS Mock Pharmacy and as mentors to the Jennings student- trainees, with various needs, throughout the program. Students taking the course will learn how to assess and meet customer needs, gain customer loyalty and make sales, as well as other soft skills important to service and sales. Through CVS Health’s creative programming and partnership, students will have the opportunity to gain credentials and skills to secure entry-level jobs in the workforce and develop meaningful careers.