Services to Students and Youth with Disabilities WIOA Congressional intent for VR to serve transition youth at younger age Directs that VR provides specific services, called Pre-employment transition services Promise Demonstration for youth 14-16 who are on SSI Targets specific services and wrap-around services Lessons learned are helpful for WIOA

Definitions Students with Disabilities: students from ages 14-21 (dependent of state’s IDEA definition) with an IEP or 504 plan. Youth with Disabilities: individual with a disabilities between the ages of 14-24.

Focus on Youth: Pre-employment Transition Services (PETS) New Requirement 15% of all federal funds on HS youth with disabilities $ Approximately $10 million annually Currently $1.6 M Eligible/potentially eligible for VR services 35,000 in Wisconsin Will put pressure on waitlist VR, in collaboration with LEA, shall provide or arrange to provide: 1) job exploration counseling 2) work-based learning experiences 3) Counseling on opportunities for transition or post-secondary educational or higher education programs 4) Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and Independent Living 5) Instruction in self-advocacy, which may include peer mentoring. 2) Work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), that is provided in an integrated environment to the maximum extent possible 3) Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education --does not require VR to pay for “think college”

Why PETS Students who had a job at the time of high school exit were 5.1 times more likely to be engaged in postschoolemployment (Rabren et al., 2002)“ Certain practices can lead to positive outcomes (Promise Grant Application): Case management; Benefits counseling; Career and work-based learning experiences; and Parent training and information. Each of these practices on their own has some positive effect, but there is no proven “package” of practices that has led to the desired outcomes.

Pre-employment Transition Services (PETS) Career Counseling Work-based learning College Counseling VR, in collaboration with LEA, shall provide or arrange to provide: 1) job exploration counseling 2) work-based learning experiences 3) Counseling on opportunities for transition or post-secondary educational or higher education programs 4) Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and Independent Living 5) Instruction in self-advocacy, which may include peer mentoring. 2) Work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), that is provided in an integrated environment to the maximum extent possible 3) Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education --does not require VR to pay for “think college” Social Skills Self-Advocacy

Win-Win with WDB Meeting the Requirements One on One DVR securing job development and DVR contracting with providers of soft skills and advocacy Services to Groups Summer Youth Activities BPDD WDB Summer Youth Internships Offering continuum of services with other partners