Transition/Pre-ETS Services and Programs

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.

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.