1. Vocational Rehabilitation
1/6/2011
Vocational Rehabilitation
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What’s Up With the Neighbors!
Amy Siekerman, Assistant Director Transition and Section 511 Services, Missouri VR
Bob Simpson, Project Director, Director MU Pre-ETS
Dr. Pat Bauer, Pre-ETS Specialist
Dr. Loni LeForce, Pre-ETS Specialist
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
February 15, 2019

2. Our Purpose Overview of Missouri’s demographics;
1/6/2011
Our Purpose
Overview of Missouri’s demographics;
Overview of Missouri’s response to the pre- employment transition service requirements;
Understanding of the variety of services offered to potentially eligible students in Missouri.
The purpose of the presentation is to share information about Missouri’s response to the Pre-ETS requirements and how we are serving students statewide.

3. Let’s Talk About Missouri
1/6/2011
Let’s Talk About Missouri
Missouri is known as the "Show Me State". It may have gotten its nickname because of the devotion of its people to simple common sense. The 'Show Me State' expression may have began in 1899 when Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver stated, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton, cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I'm from Missouri, and you have got to show me."

4. Gateway Arch What do you think of when you think of Missouri?
1/6/2011
Gateway Arch
What do you think of when you think of Missouri?
Fun Fact: The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest man-made national monument in the United States.
At the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, the ice cream cone was invented. An ice cream vendor ran out of cups and asked a waffle vendor to help by rolling up waffles to hold ice cream. Also introduced at the fair were cotton candy, iced tea, and Dr Pepper.

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Food
Kansas City is known for its BBQ. Kansas City, Missouri has more fountains than any city in the world except Rome

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Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn were set in Mark Twain’s home town of Hannibal.

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Springfield
Springfield is the home of the Sporting Goods Store – Bass Pro Shops.

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The Ozarks
Missouri also is proud to claim the beautiful Ozark Mountains.

9. Missouri 114 Counties and 1 independent city
1/6/2011
Missouri
114 Counties and 1 independent city
Both metropolitan and rural areas;
This creates a variety of barriers, but lack of transportation is a common theme in both areas.
Some areas of the state have few opportunities in terms of industry.
Agriculture – crops and cattle
Metropolitan – have more variety in opportunities
Some areas of the state require an hour drive or more to access services

10. Setting the Stage - Relationships
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Setting the Stage - Relationships
Longstanding collaboration with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Efforts to coordinate services long before the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was implemented
Vocational Rehabilitation assigned to every public high school
Dedicated transition counselors around the state
In Missouri VR is housed under DESE. VR and DESE OSE have worked collaboratively together for many years, including planning a yearly Transition Training Institute which school districts as well as VR Counselors attend. Sessions at the TTI revolve around transition and strive to educate all who work with students with disabilities. Attendance has increased to include not only school districts and VR Counselors, but also DYS, Department of Corrections, DMH, DWD, and others.

11. The Breakdown - Capacity
1/6/2011
The Breakdown - Capacity
Missouri has:
566 Public High Schools
17 Charter High Schools
267,868 high school students grades 9-12
20,685 students on an IEP, ages 16-21
24 VR offices
Approximately 148 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors statewide
It is unknown the number of 504 students in Missouri – This data is collected on a local school district level.
In WIOA the age of transition begins at age 14, while in Missouri the age when transition services must begin is 16. We have identified this as the age at which Pre-ETS services may begin for those students who require those services to reach their employment goal. However, Pre-ETS services may begin as early as age 14 if the IEP team has deemed Pre-ETS services necessary and documented such in the IEP.

12. WIOA Signed into law July 22, 2014
“WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.”
WIOA is about new opportunities:
for more students with disabilities
for more impactful services
At an earlier age
WIOA is about new partnerships:
That will enhance post-secondary outcomes
That will better prepare youth for todays workforce
WIOA
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
With the passage of the Workforce Innovation
and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Congress has
reauthorized the Workforce Investment Act of 1998
(WIA), including the Rehabilitation Act, through 2020.
Commenting on the bill’s passage, President Obama
stated that the bill “will help workers, including workers
with disabilities, access employment, education, job driven
training, and support services that give them the
chance to advance their careers and secure the good jobs
of the future.”

13. Pre-employment Transition Services
2/15/2019
More coordinated services at an earlier age with meaningful opportunities for real world work experience and training relevant to business needs leading to competitive, integrated employment
There are many important aspects of the new law and it’s implementing regulations, but for this presentation we are focusing on Pre-employment Transition Services, which is a new required service for Vocational Rehabilitation.
In Missouri, Pre-employment Transition Services are provided for students with disabilities who are in need of such services and are:
eligible or potentially eligible for VR services
16 – 21 years of age (or younger if determined appropriate by the IEP team)
currently enrolled in secondary school
Pre-employment transition services are really about providing more coordinated services to those youth, especially students and youth with disabilities, at an earlier age, to ensure they have meaningful opportunities to receive the training and other services they need to achieve employment outcomes in competitive, integrated employment.

14. A New Way For Old Friends
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A New Way For Old Friends

15. MU Pre-Employment Transition Services
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MU Pre-Employment Transition Services
41 Regional Specialists
Certified Teachers
Successful With Access
7 Dedicated to Serving MSSD (Horizons)
No Cost
Support Not Supplant
It is unknown the number of 504 students in Missouri – This data is collected on a local school district level.
In WIOA the age of transition begins at age 14, while in Missouri the age when transition services must begin is 16. We have identified this as the age at which Pre-ETS services may begin for those students who require those services to reach their employment goal. However, Pre-ETS services may begin as early as age 14 if the IEP team has deemed Pre-ETS services necessary and documented such in the IEP.

16. MU Pre-Employment Transition Services
1/6/2011
MU Pre-Employment Transition Services
Regional Transition Specialists
Teachers vs. Counselors
Meet Schools Where They Are
Never add to their plate
Relationships/Friend Making Business
Results Orientation – Baldridge
On-going Staff Training
It is unknown the number of 504 students in Missouri – This data is collected on a local school district level.
In WIOA the age of transition begins at age 14, while in Missouri the age when transition services must begin is 16. We have identified this as the age at which Pre-ETS services may begin for those students who require those services to reach their employment goal. However, Pre-ETS services may begin as early as age 14 if the IEP team has deemed Pre-ETS services necessary and documented such in the IEP.

17. Our Columns – 5 Required Pre-ETS
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Our Columns – 5 Required Pre-ETS
Job Exploration
Work Based Learning
Post-secondary Counseling
Work Place Readiness
Self Advocacy/Peer Mentoring
It is unknown the number of 504 students in Missouri – This data is collected on a local school district level.
In WIOA the age of transition begins at age 14, while in Missouri the age when transition services must begin is 16. We have identified this as the age at which Pre-ETS services may begin for those students who require those services to reach their employment goal. However, Pre-ETS services may begin as early as age 14 if the IEP team has deemed Pre-ETS services necessary and documented such in the IEP.

18. Internal Communication
1/6/2011
Internal Communication
Weekly Scrum Calls
Monthly Regional Gatherings
Bi-Annual Boot Camp
Closed Facebook Page
It is unknown the number of 504 students in Missouri – This data is collected on a local school district level.
In WIOA the age of transition begins at age 14, while in Missouri the age when transition services must begin is 16. We have identified this as the age at which Pre-ETS services may begin for those students who require those services to reach their employment goal. However, Pre-ETS services may begin as early as age 14 if the IEP team has deemed Pre-ETS services necessary and documented such in the IEP.

19. External Communication
1/6/2011
External Communication
1:1 Contacts
Quarterly Meetings in VR Offices
Pre-AWARE Software & Reporting
Outward facing Facebook Page
It is unknown the number of 504 students in Missouri – This data is collected on a local school district level.
In WIOA the age of transition begins at age 14, while in Missouri the age when transition services must begin is 16. We have identified this as the age at which Pre-ETS services may begin for those students who require those services to reach their employment goal. However, Pre-ETS services may begin as early as age 14 if the IEP team has deemed Pre-ETS services necessary and documented such in the IEP.

20. Job Exploration Counseling
Assist the special education teacher(s)
Assist the school counselor (s)
Input for IEP or 504 plan
Input for Personal Plan of Study/Four Year Plans
Develop a Missouri Connections account profile to highlight and share student info
Use career interest inventories and self-assessments for early career planning
Explore jobs/careers in the local community
Activities in Job Exploration:
Missouri Connections
Interest Inventories
Local jobs/careers
Assistance to Sp. Ed Teacher/Counselor
Input on 504 or IEP

21. Work-based Learning Experiences
Facilitate a job-shadowing day
Facilitate a field day to the local career center
Counsel students to identify and explore job fields that require apprenticeship training
Coordinate mock job interviews
Identify and connect students to career tech, School Flex, Pathways to Prosperity, and/or other work-based learning programs that are available to all students.
Assist the LEA and VR staff identify work experience opportunities for students in the local community.
Work Based Experiences:
Job Shadows Month
Field Day to Career Center
Exploring apprenticeships/internships
Mock interviews
Connect to career tech, School Flex, Pathways to Prosperity, and/or other work-based learning programs that are available to all students.
Work experience opportunities in the local community

22. Groundhog Job Shadow Month

23. Post-Secondary Counseling
Participate in LEA Career and Transition Fairs, FAFSA Frenzy events, etc.
Identify accommodations for success in a training or academic setting.
Share MO AHEAD resources
Assist students and their families in understanding the financial aid process.
Educate and inform students:
Short and long term post-
secondary training programs
Local disability support services offices at local colleges
Strength based career planning activities.
Research degree or credential requirements for jobs within the student's career pathway of interest.
Post-Secondary Counseling Activities:
Educate and inform students:
Short and long term post-
secondary training programs
Local disability support services offices at local colleges
Strength based career planning activities.
Research degree or credential requirements for jobs within the student's career pathway of interest.
Participate in LEA Career and Transition Fairs, FAFSA Frenzy events, etc.
Identify accommodations for success in a training or academic setting.
Share MO AHEAD resources
Assist students and their families in understanding the financial aid process.

24. Workplace Readiness Training)
Workplace Readiness Training
Identify and measure work readiness skills.
Support the student's social connectedness and overall health.
Identify ways to engage the student's family as an active and positive partner
Connect students with the local career center.
Connect students and their families to the local Center for Independent Living.
Review and discuss transportation options available for students in getting to and from work.
Identify and measure work readiness skills by utilizing a work readiness inventory that will address specific areas through a volunteer or work experience opportunity on-off campus.
Support the student's social connectedness and overall health by counseling the student on the importance of participating in school based activities.

26. Instruction in Self-Advocacy/Peer Mentoring
Counsel students and their families about empowerment through self- determination and self-advocacy.
Work with students to identify self- advocacy skills and why they are important.
Help students learn how to effectively lead their IEP, 504, other individual planning meetings.
Work with the schools to pair students with a peer mentor.
Work with students to practice self-advocacy and skill building through real life activities (i.e. ordering a meal in a restaurant).
Mo Youth Leadership Forum
Self- Advocacy Activities:
Working with families
Teaching what self-advocacy is
Student led IEPs
Peer Mentors
Work with students to practice self-advocacy and skill building through real life activities (i.e. ordering a meal in a restaurant).
Mo Youth Leadership Forum

27. 1/6/2011
GCD MO-YLF

28. Questions and Answers

29. Contact Us Amy.Siekerman@vr.dese.mo.gov Simpsonra@Missouri.edu
1/6/2011
Contact Us
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