What is Career Readiness? How Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Can Help Increase Student Outcomes

What does it mean to be College and Career ready?

What does it mean to be Career Ready?

What do Employers Expect?

What Employers Expect Determination and Persistence Ability to Work with Co-Workers Eager and Willing to Add to Their Knowledge and Skills Problem-Solving Skills Loyalty Communication Skills Honesty Technical Competency Work Ethic Flexibility What Employers Expect

VR assists people with disabilities to prepare for, secure, retain and regain employment

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Aims to increase access to and opportunities for employment, education, training, and support services, particularly for individuals with the greatest barriers to employment. Signed in law on July 22, 2014. Designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market. First legislative reform to the public workforce system in more that 15 years. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Why Does this Matter to a District? Opportunities Why Does this Matter to a District?

WIOA Impact on Students 15% of the states allotment under the VR grant must be used for the provision of pre-employment transition services for “students” with disabilities. WIOA Impact on Students

What Are Pre-Employment Transition Services? Pre-employment Transition Services include: Job exploration counseling Work based learning opportunities Counseling on post-secondary educational opportunities Workplace readiness training Instruction in self-advocacy What Are Pre-Employment Transition Services?

Job Exploration Group Examples Individual Examples Providing information regarding in-demand industry sectors Nontraditional employment Information about labor market composition Administration of vocational interest inventories Identification of career pathways Discussions pertinent to the student regarding the student’s vocational interest inventory results Discussions on in-demand occupations, career pathways, and local labor market information that applies to the student’s areas of interest. Job Exploration

Work Based Learning Experiences Group Examples Individual Examples Coordinating a school-based program of job training Informational interviews to research employers Work-site tours to learn about necessary job skills Job shadowing Mentoring opportunities in the community Paid or unpaid work experience Internships apprenticeships On-the-job trainings located in the community Interpreter, reader services, or accessible materials Uniforms Printing of accessible informational materials Work Based Learning Experiences

Counseling on Postsecondary Educational Opportunities Group Examples Individual Examples Counseling on course offerings, career options, the types of academic and occupational training needed to succeed in the workplace and postsecondary opportunities associated with career fields or pathways. Advising students/parents or representatives on academic curricula Providing information about college application and admissions process Assisting with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Providing resources that may be used to support individual student success (i.e., disability support services). Counseling on Postsecondary Educational Opportunities

Workplace Readiness Training Group Examples Individual Examples Teach skills such as communication and interpersonal skills Financial literacy Job-seeking skills and understanding employer expectations, as well as other “soft” skills necessary for employment. All of the group services could be tailored to an individual student’s needs, as well as provide opportunities to acquire and apply the newly learned skills. Driver’s training and training on use of public transportation Workplace Readiness Training

Instruction in Self-Advocacy Group Examples Individual Examples Teach about their rights and responsibilities, Teach how to request accommodations or services and supports, communicate their thoughts, concerns and needs in order to prepare them for peer mentoring opportunities Students could conduct informational interviews Mentor with educational staff or individuals employed by boards, associations or organizations in the community Participate in youth leadership activities Instruction in Self-Advocacy

What is a Student Under WIOA? Is a student aged 16-21(in Idaho we can serve 15 year olds) Is eligible for, and receiving, special education or related services under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act And/or Is an individual with a disability, for purposes of section 504 What is a Student Under WIOA?

Some Examples of Services Paid Summer Work Experiences MOSS Camp BSU PREP Academy LCSC CREW experience ISU Bengal's Project IESDB Summer work training and paid work experience Job shadows BSU and CWI Educational Access Center Mentoring Various district collaborative projects Online Digital Literary Skills project Some Examples of Services

We Need District’s Help We need more students eligible for VR early!!!! We need more students who are individual with a disability, for purposes of section 504 applying to VR Assist students and families in the eligibility process Help families to be ready for services and encourage students to become eligible for VR services Provide documentation to VR for students who are receiving group services, that the students receiving services meet the definition of a “student” under WIOA Provide VR with a copy of the psychological report with signatures We Need District’s Help

How to Increase Collaboration Conversation

Contact Alison Lowenthal Transition Coordinator Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Alison.Lowenthal@vr.idaho.gov Contact