About Us
Community Connections
Community Connections at Pinckney
Empowering young adults through authentic work, learning, and community connection.
Community Connections at Pinckney (CCAP) has been home to Lawrence Public Schools' specialized and alternative education services since 2023, supporting students from across the district in a building with deep roots in the Lawrence community. CCAP is built on decades of established programming, including the district's Community Transition (C-Tran), Secondary Therapeutic Classrooms (STC), and Suspension Alternative (SAP) programs, which have served over 200 students since 2021. CCAP has also provided job placement and work experience to more than 140 students through Project SEARCH since 2010.
Who We Are
Increasing independence, celebrating growth, and empowering futures. Community Connections at Pinckney is home to a variety of district programs, services, and resources that support all of Lawrence Public Schools. This includes:
- Community Transition Program (C-Tran)
- Project SEARCH
- Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) internship experience
- University of Kansas (KU) internship experience
- Secondary Therapeutic Classrooms (STC)
- Middle school & high school
- Suspension Alternative Program (SAP)
- Community Connections Bakery (district bakery)
- In-house bakery; provides baked goods for all USD 497 schools
- District clothing & shoe closet
- Empowering Brew (district coffee shop)
Pinckney School
Pinckney has long been a special place for learning in Lawrence, and today, it's continuing that tradition of helping students build confidence, independence, and connections that last a lifetime. Step inside Community Connections with Principal Jenna Viscomi and see how CCAP supports the district's special education programs and gives students real-world skills for life beyond the classroom.
Our Programs
Community Transition Program (C-Tran)
The Community Transition Program (C-Tran) at Pinckney serves students ages 18–21 with disabilities whose IEP teams determine continued need for transition services beyond graduation requirements.
The goal of C-Tran is to ensure that every student leaves with skills, confidence, and a plan for post-secondary success.
Project SEARCH
Housed in the Community Connections campus, Project SEARCH has served Lawrence Public Schools since 2010, challenging traditional expectations and empowering young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve competitive employment.
The program serves young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who can benefit from personalized support during an intensive academic year of career development and internship experience. Along with on-campus job training, we partner with local organizations and businesses to provide off-campus work experience for our students, including Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH) and the University of Kansas (KU).