1. AGENCY CONNECTIONS WORKING WITH PROVIDERS/VENDORS Improving post-school outcomes for students with disabilities in Washington State Center for Change in Transition Services

2. This webinar is closed- captioned. To view the captioning, click on the CC icon just above the video. CLOSED CAPTIONED (CC)

3. CCTS INTRODUCTIONS Cinda Johnson Ed.D., Principal Investigator Sue Ann Bube Ed.D., Director Julia Schechter M.Ed., Doctoral Research Assistant

4. TODAY’S GUEST - James O’Brien, MA Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor (425) 977-6591 james.obrien@dshs.wa.gov

5. 2015-2016 WEBINARS April 13 th Working with Providers/Vendors Discover how vendors may assist youth with disabilities in identifying their unique abilities and assisting with mobility, communication, independent living, and employment. May 11 th Customized Employment There is a job for everyone! Join us as we learn about and explore customized or carved employment options available to students with significant disabilities.

6. AGENCY CONNECTIONS Objective for today: Develop an understanding of the various transition service providers to assist students with disabilities with transition from high school, and timelines for coordination.  Forming your student’s “Team”  Early in the transition process (age 14-16)  Somewhere in the middle (age 16-17)  Gearing-up for the big transition (18-21)  Special projects and other resources

7. FORMING YOUR STUDENT’S “TEAM”

8. TEAM ROSTER The team will change. Some are starters and other stay on the bench until needed.  School – School Psychologist, teachers, PT/OT, counselor, family advocate, AT (anyone invested in the student’s success).  Student – A student with a disability, whether in a 504 or IEP plan, or not. However, certain DDA and DVR services are targeted to students in IEP’s and 504 plans.  Parent and/or Guardian – Required (with documentation) when making decisions. DVR always invites other family and friends that the customer may wish to be involved.

9. WHO’S ON THE TEAM? Student CRPDDA DVR counselor Benefits planner DVR vendors School Assistive technology Parents or guardians

10. DVR WA Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) * VR counselors serve all individuals with disabilities to overcome barriers to employment and transition to post-secondary goals.  Many services provided to DVR customers are purchased through contracts. DVR contracts with vendors for many types of services.  DVR’ s two largest client service contracts are the DVR Job Services contract and the Independent Living Services contract. *Students with low-vision or blindness access Department of Services for the Blind (DSB).

11. MY DVR COUNSELOR  Every school and adult transition program has an assigned DVR counselor to partner with you and your student.  Please contact a DVR Supervisor if there are questions or concerns about DVR services.  DVR can partner with schools in pre- employment related areas such as job exploration, work readiness, post- secondary options, self-advocacy and work- based learning.

12. DVR VENDORS DVR purchases services from a multitude of vendors to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services. Our vendors include (partial list):  Schools and colleges  Job placement agencies  Assistive technology  Independent living  Department stores  Public transit

13. BENEFIT PLANNERS  Benefits Planners help the client understand the impact of employment on benefits such as:  Cash, medical, housing, personal care services, and food benefits.  A benefit specialist can help explore and utilize work incentives and develop a plan to transition to work.  DVR and other agencies have benefits planners on staff. More information is here: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ra/division- vocational-rehabilitation/benefits-planninghttps://www.dshs.wa.gov/ra/division- vocational-rehabilitation/benefits-planning

14. DDA WA State, Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) uses state and federal funds to provide or buy support and services for eligible persons and their families. Employment services for DDA are managed through local county government and may include:  Case management  Personal care  Employment  Community access  Respite care  Skilled nursing services  Mental health/crisis services  Residential services

15. CRP Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP)  These programs provide a specific set of pre- employment and employment related services to help DVR customers obtain and, if needed, maintain competitive employment.  DVR has contracts for these services.  DDA refers to them as “Providers” and has separate contracts.

16. PERSON-CENTERED PLANNERS Person-Centered Planners – Offer an ongoing problem-solving process to help people with disabilities plan for their future. Independent Living Providers - Services for DVR customers with IL related issues that create barriers to achieving competitive employment. Assistive Technology –Includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices and the processes used in selecting, locating, and using them. DVR has AT staff and uses vendors.

17. PETS The primary funder of Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS) and post-secondary employment services is DVR.  DDA also provides job placement and job support after age 21.  Your student’s Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will direct and pre-authorize any DVR provided services, and offer choice in the selection of vendors and services.  Many vendors and providers are fee-for-service and not ‘free’ to students and families. However, they may do direct marketing or you may see them at ‘transition fairs’ and related events.  Occasionally there are grant funded programs available at no-cost, and your DVR counselor may be aware of them. Always ask what services may cost or who pays. Who have you included?

18. EARLY IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS (AGE 14-16)

19. STARTING OUT DVR is primary partner Converse about post- grad plans Invite VRC to IPE meeting 504 students can also meet DVR can meet individuals or groups Meet at school or DVR office Explore DDA services VRC will advise when to apply

20. STARTING OUT During this period DVR counselors can provide:  IEP/504 consultation.  Technical assistance and training to staff.  Referring students to DVR-funded group services as available.  Working with students with individual needs.  Participating in career and family events.  Evaluation of disability-related barriers to employment and work with student/family about how to address them.

21. SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE (AGE 16-17)

22. DEVELOPING GOALS  As a post-secondary vocational goal is being developed, the DVR counselor will work with the school and student to develop the student’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).  This should be in concert with the school’s IEP goals.  If Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS) are being provided they will be added to the DVR IPE.  PETS include such things as informational interviews, job shadows, job exploration, independent living, and work-based learning experiences.

23. PLAYERS DURING THIS STEP  The DVR counselor may bring others to the line-up. It may get busy!  A CRP may be involved in assisting with providing a PETS service, such as an informational interview or job shadow.  Assistive Technology – as it relates to work – may need to be considered. DVR will coordinate with the school’s AT if available, or arrange other options.  If it is believed “long-term job support” will be needed to maintain employment, DDA will be a source for this and eligibility will be needed.

24. GEARING-UP FOR THE BIG TRANSITION (18-21)

25. THE FINAL STRETCH  Developing or amending the IPE as goals and services change.  Benefits planning is considered and DVR will arrange for this.  Person-centered planning: DVR and DDA may offer this service.  The DVR counselor and student select a CRP for employment services.  Applying for Federal Financial Aid if there is a goal that involves school.  CRP assessing work-related behaviors and skills and beginning job search and placement activities.

26. EXAMPLE: NATE Meet Nate: He’s 16, and on the autism spectrum. He has an IEP, although he is too high functioning to qualify for DDA services. Nate misses a lot of school, because he has a hard time with schoolwork, and with making friends. Nate only wants to stay in his bedroom and play video games.

27. NATE AND DVR Nate’s parents hear about DVR, and because he has significant gaps in social and independent living skills, they and Nate decide to contact DVR. They call their local office and ask for the DVR counselor assigned to Nate’s school. After Nate is found eligible for DVR, his VRC can provide counseling and guidance, along a number of individual PETS services.

28. NATE’S NEXT STEPS The first step: Coordinating Nate’s IPE with his IEP. The team approach is best. After that: Providing PETS - probably most often during summer - that can give Nate an early start at job exploration. DVR will insure the information Nate and his family learn via PETS is communicated with Nate’s Special Ed teacher. As Nate nears graduation: DVR revises the IPE for post-school services, whether that is for job search or post-secondary education. The hope is that DVR and his school together have provided Nate with a solid foundation for adult life.

29. SPECIAL PROJECTS AND OTHER RESOURCES

30. SCHOOL-TO-WORK (S2W) A formal employment contract involving schools, County DD and DVR available in seven counties in WA State. Purpose is to collaborate with the County to provide employment related services to individuals with developmental disabilities who will be exiting high school.

31. S2W TIMELINE Spring/Summer – Connecting with DVR and selecting a CRP. September – December  Begin working with a CRP Employment Specialist. Attend team meetings. Explore real work experiences through schools experiential work sites.  Continue planning services to expand vocational skills and experience.  Meet with Benefits Planner to understand wages and Social Security.  Employment Specialist is observing at the experiential work site set up by your school. January – June  CRP Employment Specialist is developing paid employment during this time.  Work with team to develop a plan for life after high school; employment may only be part of that plan. Discuss long term support needs and explore funding options as needed.  Understand how to navigate services that can help in your future. *GOAL: JOB BY JUNE!

32. PROJECT SEARCH  Business led collaboration with education, rehabilitation, community providers and long term support agencies.  Braided funding from school, DVR, DDA.  One school year for High School Transition model.  Nine months for adult training model.  Certified instructor and job coaches.  Immersed in host business culture.  Rotations through unpaid internships with continual feedback.  Customized job-search assistance  Outcome of employment in the community

33. RESOURCES & CONTACTS

34. DVR RESOURCES  DVR has a Student and Youth Transition Handbook that is available from our counselors or electronically here: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/si tes/default/files/JJRA/dvr/d ocuments/YouthTransition Handbook.pdf https://www.dshs.wa.gov/si tes/default/files/JJRA/dvr/d ocuments/YouthTransition Handbook.pdf

35. DVR RESOURCES  A list of liaisons is listed here: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/RA/dvr/school-transition https://www.dshs.wa.gov/RA/dvr/school-transition  Or contact the office nearest to you and ask who is assigned to your school. A list of DVR offices is here: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ra/dvr/find-an-office https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ra/dvr/find-an-office

36. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION

37. CONTACT INFORMATION The Center for Change in Transition Services Website: http://www.seattleu.eduhttp://www.seattleu.edu Email: ccts@seattleu.educcts@seattleu.edu Phone: 206-296-2245 eLearning for Educators Website: http://www.evergreen.edu/elearningforeducators/http://www.evergreen.edu/elearningforeducators/ Email: elearningforeducators@evergreen.eduelearningforeducators@evergreen.edu Phone: 360-867-6070

38. STATE NEEDS PROJECT Center for Change in Transition Services (CCTS) CCTS provides secondary transition training and technical support to districts, and Educational Service Districts, that serve students who have an Individual Education Program and are in need of transition services. eLearning for Educators eLearning for Educators provides statewide access to affordable online courses designed to support educators in serving students with disabilities. Special Education Support Center Provides current information and best practices through statewide training and technical assistance to families, educators, and organizations in order to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Special Education Technology Center (SETC) Provides training, consultation, technology loans and resource information to help school districts and families implement assistive technology (AT) interventions in addressing the special learning needs of children with disabilities. Washington Sensory Disability Services (WSDS) Supports individuals aged birth to 21 who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind, by providing training and other resources to service providers and families.

39. DISCLAIMER Training provided today is meant to supplement and not supplant reading bulletins and accompanying documents; guidance from the U.S. Department of Education; chapter 392-172A WAC; Part 300 of the federal regulations; and, the Individuals with Disabilities Act. This presentation and/or materials should be viewed and applied by users according to their specific needs. The presentation should be used as guidance and is not intended as legal advice.