YOUTH TRANSITION PROGRAM (YTP) PUT INTO PRACTICE Reynolds School District

Labor Statistics: Disability vs. No Disability and 16 to and16 and 16 to 6465 and over over over over PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY Civilian noninstitutional population26,98114,84512,13626,59214,73011,862 Civilian labor force6,0505, ,7954, Participation rate Employed5,1744, ,9394, Employment-population ratio Unemployed Unemployment rate Not in labor force20,9319,62511,30620,7979,73511,062 PERSONS WITH NO DISABILITY Civilian noninstitutional population208,820182,95825,862211,238184,39426,844 Civilian labor force148,092142,3885,705148,094142,1765,918 Participation rate Employed134,703129,3585,345134,125128,5865,539 Employment-population ratio Unemployed13,38913, ,96813, Unemployment rate Not in labor force60,72840,57020,15863,14442,21820,926 *NOTE: This data was taken from the United States Department of Labor website:

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) included an emphasis on transition planning for all youth receiving special education services and emphasized that the fundamental purpose of a free appropriate education is to prepare youth for “further education, employment, and independent living”. IDEA

Responding to a Need: Youth Transition The purpose of the program is to prepare youth with disabilities for employment or career related post- secondary goals.  The Youth Transition Program (YTP) is an Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) program that serves youth with disabilities statewide. YTP operates as a partnership between OVRS, the Oregon Department of Education, and local school districts with a team from the University of Oregon contracted to provide training and technical assistance.

Recognition for YTP...  YTP was recognized in 1994 as an exemplary school to work transition model by the National Institute of Work and Learning, Academy for Educational Development.  In 1995, the YTP was validated as an “educational program that works” and listed in the national registry of such programs within the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, U.S Department of Education.  YTP was recognized at Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) 2010 Annual Conference with a Best Practice award.

Key Features of the YTP Model Matching Funding Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services Local School District Dedicated Staff Time Provide Transition Services; Individualized Planning and Support Collaboration School Personnel Vocational Rehabilitation Other Service Providers

Pattern of Services The YTP provides services to youth beginning during the last two years of high school and continuing into the early transition years. All students in the program receive a comprehensive pattern of service designed to address a broad array of transition needs including:  Individualized planning  Instruction  Career development  Emphasis on paid employment  Support services  Follow-up

Over the past 20 years, YTP has provided direct services and VR access for over 20,000 students with disabilities; YTP currently operates in 105 high schools across Oregon. Youth served are primarily high school students (ages 16-19) with learning disabilities, other health impairments Who Does YTP Serve?

YTP Students

*These graphs compare high school graduation and average hourly wages for YTP youth with a national sample of youth with disabilities. National data is from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2. (NLTS2) YTP data: N=569; NLTS2 data: N=11,276.

Reynolds School District currently has 3 different transition programs to assist students with their post-secondary or transition needs. How YTP works at Reynolds...

Cornerstone Intended for students with developmental disabilities who need moderate to significant assistance in transitioning to the adult community Provides equal emphasis on independent living, self-advocacy, and vocational development. Offers program and community work experience with and without staff supervision. Connects students, parents and guardians to community adult resources SPIN (Students Preparing for Individualized Needs) Designed for students with disabilities who lack direction regarding their future, but once provided with the necessary tools, have the capacity for independence Offers support in all aspects of transition with focus on employment, continued education, and independence. Assists, supports and encourages participation in community activities and connects students to agencies, i.e. social security and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS) Provides pre-employment training around resume development, completing job applications, interviews skills and more… Youth Transition Services (YTS) Empower students to identify and achieve their post-secondary goals related to employment, higher education, vocational training and community experience. Provides pre-employment training and job search skills to help students realize their aptitudes and strengths that lead to greater employability. Supports students as they gain experience in the workforce by providing job development and job coaching when needed. Encourages participation in community activities and connects students to agencies such as the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS). Successful students demonstrate follow through, motivation, independence, and self-determination.

At Reynolds School District, the YTP Transition Specialist works within the YTS program with a non- YTP faculty member/teacher who helps facilitate the program within the district high schools. Youth Transition Services (YTS)

Benefit to Students... Transition Specialist works with students in the classroom and out in the community; also a liaison between student and Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS).  Grant funding allows for more transition support during junior and senior year of high school.  More individualized support in the classroom.  More opportunities to be in the community.  Help in focusing on employment and post- secondary goals.  Exposure to more diverse work experiences.  Direct access to Vocational Rehabilitation services.  Job development and coaching.

Benefit to Teachers... Transition Specialist works both in the high school and outside community to work with students and research job opportunities and training programs.  Grant funding allows for more transition support during junior and senior year of high school.  Opportunities for more creativity of curriculum through collaboration.  Teachers can become more knowledgeable of community resources outside of college that may be more suitable to students’ needs.

Benefit to Community... Transition Specialist not only works on technical skills to obtain employment, but self-care and social skills that are required for a job in any work environment.  More highly skilled workforce.  Reduced training time and cost.  Creates valuable school/community partnerships.  Lower rate of unemployment.  Creates more productive citizens.