Employment Expressway Keynote Presentation Heather Norton Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services Samantha Marsh Hollins, PhD Virginia Department of Education 1

Education 2

Our Mission To provide children with disabilities with the knowledge and skills they need to live, learn, work and participate in communities of their choice with the maximum amount of independence as possible 3

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Employment 5

What Do We Mean 6 Competitive Wage Meaningful Task Community Based

Why is Employment Important 7 EconomicsRelationshipsMeaningSelf EsteemIdentity

Employment Options Individual Supported EmploymentGroup Supported EmploymentBusiness in BusinessSelf Employment 8

Employment First Identifying integrated, community-based employment as the FIRST choice offered among available rehabilitation or habilitation options and expands employment of individuals First choice, not only choice But…if a person wants to work, might want to work or does not know if they want to work…the case manager works with the individual, their team, and help them to figure it out 9

STATEWIDE FOCUS ON GRADUATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES 10

State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) New Indicator 17 on the State Performance Plan State-identified Measurable Result (SIMR) is the goal of the SSIP Virginia’s SIMR is focused on graduation – The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) intends to improve the statewide rate of graduation for students with disabilities identified with an Emotional Disability (ED), Intellectual Disability (ID), Other Health Impairment (OHI), or a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) receiving a regular high school diploma (Standard and Advanced Studies Diploma). 11

Research Findings 12

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WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) 14

WIOA Signed into law July 22, 2014 Services for Transition from School to Adult Life – 15% of state funds must be used for “pre- employment transition services” (PETS) – Required Services that must be provided Job exploration counseling Work based learning experiences Counseling on post-secondary opportunities Workplace readiness training Self-advocacy training 15

WIOA Language surrounding collaboration between DARS and local school divisions – Attend IEP meetings, ensure provision of PETS Limitation in Payment of Sub-Minimum Wage Increase in the amount of youth funds spent on out-of-school youth Virtually all youth with disabilities now eligible for youth services under WIOA 16

TRANSITION SERVICES UPDATES 17

VDOE Transition Investments I’m Determined Start on Success Project Search Inclusion Project Center for Transition Innovations –

Preparing For Employment 19 Community Engagement NetworksExpectations

QUESTIONS 20