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Labor and Economic Opportunity

Transition/Pre-ETS Services and Programs

Transition/Pre-ETS Services and Programs

 

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) help students age 14 and over to successfully make the transition from high school to postsecondary education or employment. The student works with a team including a Bureau rehabilitation counselor, the student's parents, a teacher consultant, a social worker, a special education director, and possibly others to prepare an annual Individual Education Program (IEP) plan. The plan includes details such as what classes will be taken the following year, extracurricular and volunteer activities and what Pre-ETS services the student will be participating in during the time as a transition client.

BSBP will provide Pre-Employment Transition Services to students who meet the following criteria:

  • Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Consumer that is in application, eligibility or IPE status or Potentially Eligible (prior to VR application)

  • 14-26 years of age

  • Student with a Disability

  • Currently enrolled in secondary, post-secondary or other recognized education program

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are provided in collaboration with local educational agencies and community partners.  Pre-ETS are designed to be an early start at job exploration and will assist students with identifying career interests to be further explored through additional VR services.  Pre-ETS must be made available to all students in need of such services on a statewide basis regardless of whether or not a student has applied for VR services.  Pre-ETS services may begin once a student requests or is recommended for one or more service and documentation of a disability is provided.  These services can be provided in a group setting or on an individual basis. A Word document listing of Pre-ETS programs offered within the last year are available by clicking here.

FIVE PRE-EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SERVICE CATEGORIES

JOB EXPLORATION COUNSELING:  Intended to provide counseling and guidance to help students explore career options.  Career counseling can be offered in a variety of settings including groups and individually, in person or by means of digital communication.  Job exploration options are intended to foster motivation, consideration of opportunities and informed decision-making.

Examples:

  • Career Exploration (O*Net, etc.)

  • Job clubs, career and trades fairs

  • Job shadowing

  • Informational Interviews

  • Vocational Assessment

  • Workshops and Presentations on topics such as:

    • Self-awareness

    • Careers versus jobs: what's the difference?

    • What classes do I enjoy now, and how might those relate to careers?

    • What are in-demand jobs?

    • Competing in the future workplace

    • Web-based job searches

    • How to conduct informational interviews

    • What jobs are in my community?

WORK-BASED LEARNING: May include in-school or after-school opportunities, or experiences outside the traditional school setting (including internships), provided in an integrated environment in the community to the maximum extent possible.  Work-based learning is an educational approach that uses the workplace or real work to provide students with the knowledge and skills that will help them connect school experiences to real-life work activities and future career opportunities. 

Examples:

  • School-based work experiences - job stations, etc.

  • Summer Work Experiences

  • Internships, paid or unpaid

  • Community Service and/or Volunteering

  • Apprenticeships

  • Career Mentorship

  • Trial Work Experiences

  • Work-site Tours

  • After-school/weekend jobs (focused on developing basic work skills)

POST-SECONDARY EXPLORATION This activity area includes exploration of both post-high school transition programs at institutions of higher education, trade and vocational schools, as well as two and four-year colleges.

Examples:

  • Campus Visits

  • Education Fairs

  • Speakers from various educational programs

  • Presentations by disability coordinators

  • College Prep/Study Skills

  • Accessing assistive technology

  • Researching scholarships and/or completing the FAFSA

  • Advising students and parents or representatives on academic curricula

  • Providing information about college application and admissions processes;

  • Exploring career and tech options

WORKPLACE READINESS TRAINING, INCLUDING SOCIAL SKILLS & INDEPENDENT LIVING: Workshops/job clubs on social skills, workplace behavior and interaction, multicultural awareness, problem-solving skills.  Designed to develop independent living and social skills necessary for a student to be successful in employment.

Examples:

  • Travel Training

  • Independent Living Assessments

  • Skills of Blindness Training

  • Job Seeking Skills/Job Clubs

  • Budgeting

  • Workshops on on-the-job presentation: dress and grooming, etc.

  • Understanding learning styles and how they affect social and independent living skills

  • Soft-skills training

  • On-the job evaluation

  • Teamwork and decision-making skills

  • Adaptive computer skills training

SELF-ADVOCACY INSTRUCTION:  Opportunities to learn about rights, responsibilities and how to request accommodations, services or supports students may need to successfully complete the transition from secondary to post-secondary education and/or employment.  These experiences may include mentoring by peers working in competitive integrated employment.

Examples:

  • Mentoring

  • Youth Leadership Programs

  • Workshops in areas such as: developing goals, time management and organization, balanced life planning

  • Disability Awareness classes and groups

  • Self-advocacy, peer support, and mentoring groups

  • Classes in advocating for yourself in IEP/IPE/person-centered planning

  • Decision-making skills and learning how to make your own choices

  • Accessing community resources such as health care, recreation, social opportunities, etc.

  • Classes/workshops in self-determination and personal futures planning

  • Learning how to create and participate in community activities and relationships

  • Learning how to request accommodations

 

For more information, call 800-292-4200 toll-free (TTY 888-864-1212, toll-free), or contact a Bureau of Services for Blind Persons office near you.