What You Need to Know: The VR School to Work Transition Program Presented by Kirk G. Hall, Transition Administrator

1. What You Need to Know: The VR School to Work Transition Program Presented by Kirk G. Hall, Transition Administrator

2. Youth Face Challenging Times Youth have been particularly hard hit by the economic downturn. Of all the groups in Florida, Youth 16-24 have the highest unemployment rate at two times the statewide average. Increased competition for limited postsecondary education and employment opportunities. The labor market has changed substantially over the last six years.

3. Hands-On Training

4. VR Commits to Transition VR Serves Transition Aged Youth: • Counselors Serving Youth • Time Frames & Referral • Necessary Services Person Centered Planning: • Developing Work Skills • Practicing Social Skills • Community Networking

5. Who Receives VR Transition Services? VR does not serve the entire population of students with disabilities Students must require VR services due to their disability in order to obtain employment Individuals receiving SSI or SSDI due to their disability are presumed eligible for VR services Most VR eligible students will fall into Priority Category I or II (no wait at present) Training & Placement services do not require Financial Participation

6. The Process for Successful Closure Employment Services Provided IPE Development - 120 Days Eligibility Determination - 60 Days Application Referral or Walk In

7. Existing Records and the IPE • Current IEP or 504 Plan (diploma track) • Medical and/or psychological records or new evaluations that document disability • Transcript or academic reports • Attendance and tardiness reports • Behavioral reports, if applicable • Vocational training records and/or career assessments, if available

8. How is the IPE Goal Determined? • Employment drives the planning process • The goal has to be realistic and attainable • The goal should align with the student’s capabilities, capacities and strengths • The focus of the VR counselor is not only employment, but to place the student on a path to a meaningful career If we can’t have foresight, We can at least have forethought.

9. Individual Plan for Employment IPE is mutually developed with the student Student vocational counseling Identify aptitudes and abilities before interests IDEA entitlementvs. ADA eligibility Understanding the greater benefit of work (WIPA) Informed choice for necessary services Identification of school services on the IPE

10. Just the Facts: Raw Data 92 Dedicated Counselors + 71 General = 163 (34%)Transition Counselors VR has a turnover rate of about 25% The percentage is consistent with the number of Transition Aged Youth (TAY) served The percentage of TAY that are still in high school at application is about 25% of all customers and is comparable to staff

11. VR Workload – SFY 2012-2013

12. Transition Aged Youth OutcomesState Fiscal Years 09-10 through 12-13(Ages 16-24)

13. Effective Collaborations: • Project SEARCH • High School High Tech • Third Party Cooperative Arrangements (TPCA) • Postsecondary Education Programs

14. Project SEARCHwww.projectsearch.us Project SEARCH is a high school transition program offering a unique, business led, one year school-to-work process that takes place entirely at the host business. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations.

15. Program Particulars Serves young adults with a variety of developmental disabilities Students are typically on an Individual Education Program Focus is on competitive integrated employment State program sites are licensed through Project SEARCH Cincinnati with fidelity audit Students participate in 3 targeted internships (worksite rotations) to acquire skills

16. Partners and Participation Host Business- Supervision and Feedback Local Education Agency- Employment Skills Curriculum Community Rehabilitation Program- Job Coaching Vocational Rehabilitation- Support for student Developmental Disability Agency- Follow Along

17. Finish the Statement: The agency is a payer of … Last Resort

18. VR Support On the Job Evaluation: first two weeks Job Coaching: 40 hours in first or second rotation On-the-Job Training: during the last rotation Employment Services: after the last rotation Supported Employment: after the last rotation Uniforms and Supplies: prior to training

19. 2012 Outcomes Serving 148 students (20 in 2007) 60% of Interns Hired over life of program Most students remain employed (6+ months) Average hours per week 25.5 Average wage $8.33 (13% above min wage) 32% have benefits 88% of jobs match the original VR goal

20. Project SEARCH DatabaseIndicators: 1. Graduation 2. Dropout Rates 5. Least Restrictive Environment 8. Parent Involvement 13. Compliant IEPs (Transition Goal) 14. Post School Outcomes

21. Project SEARCH Contacts J. Erin Riehle, MSN, RNDirector, Project SEARCH, Division of Disability Services 513-636-8729 erin.riehle@cchmc.org Susie RutkowskiCo-Director, Project SEARCH 513-803-5293 susie.rutkowski@cchmc.org

22. High School High Techwww.ncwd-youth.info A program of the Able Trust Engage students with all kinds of disabilities Explore jobs and postsecondary education in technology-related fields Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Activities may occur during school hours, after school, or over the summer and holiday breaks

23. HSHT Activities Corporate Site Visits Job Shadowing Summer Internships Service Learning Career Focused Mentoring Guest Speakers/Mock Interviews Campus Tours Leadership Activities

24. HSHT Funding The Florida Governor's Alliance for the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation Corporate Grants Donations and Sponsorships

25. HSHT Goals To reduce the high school dropout rate of youth with disabilities To increase the enrollment of youth with disabilities in postsecondary institutions To improve the participation in education, vocational & employment activities in technology related fields

26. 2012 HSHT Outcomes The Florida HSHT Program experienced a high school dropout rate of less than 1% 80% of Florida HSHT graduates entered postsecondary education, continuing education or employment 44% of Florida HSHT graduates entered postsecondary education after graduation Services were provided in 122 high schools and alternative education settings 178 high school students (representing grades 9-12) secured employment

27. Florida’s High School High Tech Programs

28. 2013 TPCA Highlights VR and the School District collaborate to provide VR eligible students with an approved IPE Community Based Work Experience (CBWE) in high school VR collaborated with school districts to support 36 Employment Specialists Services were provided in 16 school districts 246 high school students (representing grades 9-12) were provided work experiences

29. Holmes Jackson Santa Rosa Escambia Okaloosa Nassau Walton Gadsden Washington Madison Jefferson Hamilton Leon Baker Calhoun Duval Bay Liberty Suwannee Columbia Taylor Wakulla Gulf Clay Area One Bay Calhoun Escambia Franklin Gadsden Gulf Hamilton Holmes Jackson Jefferson Lafayette Leon Liberty Madison Okaloosa Santa Rosa Suwannee Taylor Wakulla Walton Washington St. Johns Lafayette Union Bradford Franklin Area Two Alachua Baker Bradford Citrus Clay Columbia Dixie Duval Flagler Gilchrist Levy Marion Nassau Putnam St Johns Union Volusia Alachua Putnam Dixie Gilchrist Flagler Levy Area Three Brevard DeSoto Hardee Highlands Indian River Lake Martin Okeechobee Osceola Orange Polk Seminole St. Lucie Sumter Marion Volusia Citrus Sumter Lake Seminole Brevard Area Five Broward Charlotte Collier Glades Hendry Lee Palm Beach Area Six Miami-Dade Monroe Hernando Area Four Hernando Hillsborough Manatee Pasco Pinellas Sarasota Orange Pasco Osceola Polk Hillsborough Pinellas Indian River Hardee Highlands Manatee Okeechobee St. Lucie DeSoto Martin Glades Sarasota Charlotte Palm Beach Hendry Lee Collier Broward 18 School Districts with a Third Party Cooperative Arrangement (TPCA) for CBWEending in School Years 2012-2013 Dade Monroe

30. The Florida Consortium on Postsecondary Education and Intellectual Disabilities Three Core Universities: University of South Florida, St. Pete (USFSP) University of North Florida (UNF) Lynn University Primary Focus: Development of a PSE Model (using partnerships) Development of a PSE Credential

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32. Consortium Objectives

33. Venn Again

34. Why Does VR support PSE Programs? • Education/Training is one of the most effective ways to eliminate barriers to employment • PSE supports the personal growth and development of “all” the skills needed to become employed • Promotes inclusive programs with fair and equitable access in the community • Adequate vocational guidance and counseling is often missing from postsecondary decisions

35. PSE Guidance for VR VR and the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) sought guidance from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). Specifically, VR requested clarification about what services it could provide to students in a PSE who were also served under the auspices of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

36. VR is Allowed To: Provide Vocational Services, Including- • Tuition, Books & Supplies • Maintenance • OJT • Placement • Support Services

37. VR Services Must Be: • Individualized and based on the person’s own unique needs • Provided only after pursuing the availability of comparable benefits and services from other public and private sources

38. VR Collaboration • VR has committed a minimum of two staff per Area to act as liaisons to local PSE programs • Referrals should be made to VR for those students that may be referred to PSE programs • Year 1 & New PSE- as early as possible • Year 2 & Existing PSE- two years before exit • The LEA and PSE program will request a copy of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) • Training for VR PSE Liaisons

39. BEESS/Project 10 Collaboration BEESS and/or Project 10 will: • Encourage each Local Education Agency (LEA) to identify potential students who are likely candidates for PSE programs based on the student’s transition assessment and measureable postsecondary goals beginning at age 16. • Provide direction to the LEA regarding referrals for those students considering application to a PSE.

40. Building Relationships Include the VR liaison on the PSE selection committee Have the PSE employment specialist become a VR provider Have regular meetings to review progress and prepare for the next term Have releases of information in place so that important happenings are shared

41. PSE Programs Vary”VR services are limited by the type of PSE program” VR can’t assist with PSE services provided through the school district under the auspices of IDEA: Dual Enrollment LEA FTE for Career or Independent Living classes Services supported with the McKay Scholarship VR can assist with PSE services for students that have exited HS: Services must be needed & employment related

42. VR Supports for Students Under IDEA VR can assist with certain services needed to reach the vocational goal in the IPE. Guidance and Counseling Uniforms and work supplies Needed PSE background checks/screenings Related work experience or placement services Provision of information for accommodations Specific types of coursework

43. VR Funding of Coursework The courses must… Not be able to be funded through school district or other comparable sources or benefits Be necessary to obtain the vocational goal identified in the VR IPE Be approved by the VR counselor

44. Courses Align with a Vocational Goal Some examples include, Taking an art class in Colors, Lines and Shapes with a goal of cake decorator Taking an education class in Early Childhood Development with a goal of daycare worker Taking a communication course in Communication Disorders & Treatment for a person with a speech impediment Taking a college remedial class required for a TABE waiver under a dual enrollment program

45. Additional VR Supports for Students Not Under IDEA Tuition and fees Books, supplies and equipment Rehabilitation technology and assistive services needed to prepare for or be employed Transportation assistance Time limited medical Time limited psychological treatment

46. Being a Better Partner Early referral and application of students with an IEP, 504 Plan or other students with disabilities Professional development orientation with partners Transition staff contact list with school assignments VR School to Work Transition Guidelines and Best Practices Effectively Working with School Districts and Outreach to School District resources Memorandums and Technical Assistance Papers

47. VR Transition Training Guidance and Counseling for Transition Developing a Transition IPE Assistive Technology for Students Under IDEA Employment Through Community Service &Volunteerism Transition Training (Area 5 & Area 1) Postsecondary Education (PSE) Training for Liaisons School Based Discovery Community Benefits and Services

48. VR Transition Services in High School Disability Guidance & Counseling Long Term Disability Planning Postsecondary Accommodations & Assistive Technology Employment and Career Community Based Work Experience Third Party Cooperative Arrangements Project Search and High School High Tech Job Coaching & On-the-Job Training over Summer Uniforms & Supplies for Work Experiences Transportation Assistance to Community Resources

49. Partner Activities Supporting Transition Business Connections: Employer & Professional Mentoring Peer Counseling & Mentoring Campus & Industry Tours Community Service & Volunteerism Youth and Social Clubs Outdoor Recreation Organizations Faith Based Organizations/Activities School Based Enterprise

50. RESOURCES