Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services’ Career Planning Center (CPC) and Transition Outreach 2017 OTI Conference Norman, Oklahoma

CPC Role: Providing Career Testing Services to the High Schools, DRS Transition Serves

Examples of DRS Transition Services Career Exploration Extended Evaluation for Determining Eligibility iJobs Summer Work Program Pre-Employment Training School to Work Services Summer STEM Camps Trial Work Vocational Evaluation Services Work Adjustment Training

What is a Vocational Evaluation?

Vocational Evaluation is an educational process in which a client obtains greater self and work knowledge through participation in work activities designed to evaluate vocational skills, interests, and abilities. Clients learn about the functional impact of their disability in relation to their career options. They also learn about assistive technology and the devices and accommodations needed to remove barriers to employment. The evaluation process encourages personal involvement in career planning and development and empowers clients by increasing their self-confidence in career decision making. (Source: Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center)

How is a student referred for a Vocational Evaluation? Make the referral to the DRS Counselor Application is taken Referred student provides information about ‘what they want to do upon graduation’ If under 18, student’s parents/representative must give consent Must provide disability records Transition VR Counselor makes referral to the Career Planning Center using a C-17

What is a C-17?

What happens at the Vocational Evaluation? Location is agreed upon: Career Planning Center, school, or mutually agreed upon location Student can vary from one to three days Student is assessed with skills to identify strengths in work samples, career interests, how they see role in the work place, and identified barriers to employment Starts about 9 a.m. and last until 3 p.m. (with a lunch break) Report is provided to referring DRS Counselor

How can the high schools and student prepare for the vocational evaluation? Refer students early in the school year (HS Seniors preferably first) Explain to the students this is not a pass or fail-type evaluation Students can consider first step to independence, get good-night’s rest before testing, bring lunch, take notes during assessment to discuss later Wait for the report to arrive before discussion; evaluator needs to review disability records, notes, and testing results to develop report

How can high schools and students prepare for the Vocational Evaluation? (continued) Discuss with student that this assessment can help with career planning after school Let DRS Counselors know if there are problems getting testing done (Example: teacher may express concern of student can’t missing another class or grade issues in classes that will affect graduation) Plan ahead with students with their other teachers that they will miss a day or two of class to take vocational testing If allowed, students participate in testing during Career Days Have students research career information: if they want to research jobs, careers, academic requirements or training programs of their interest, the more information they can provide to the evaluators the better

What if DRS comes to your school to provide Vocational Evaluation? Provide a room where a student(s) and evaluator can sit comfortably-preferably one table per person in the room Using tables vs. school desks are preferable for testing Maintaining confidentiality and minimal interruptions where someone can stop student from taking assessments or work samples DRS Evaluators can accommodate lunch schedules of the students Caveat: We can only provide vocational testing for the students that are referred to the Career Planning Centers

Summary: What makes a good referral for a vocational evaluation? Student is prepared Disability is established Expressed Career Goals Specific information requests Assess in One-on-one or Group Testing?

Vocational Evaluation report is completed, what next? Report provided to the referring DRS Transition Counselor Report discussed with family/teacher present with student when reviewing the results Evaluators can be available to go over the results If the skills and abilities don’t match career goals, additional testing or evaluations can be considered Question and Answer Panel

TPAL Work Samples