Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 2015 Transition Summer Pilot Programs Sandra Miller, Transition Coordinator dvr.delawareworks.com

Statewide DVR Transition Team Planning and Implementing Pre- Employment Transition Services (PETS)  VR Administration  Transition Coordinator  Social Service Administrator, Transition Services (2)  VR Transition Counselors (8)  VR Transition Assistants (4)

Planning for Pre-Employment Transition Services  Took inventory of what we were already doing  DVR Leadership discussion (March 2015)  DVR published a Request for Proposal for a Summer Pilot Program (April 2015)  Provide summer training and employment services to students with disabilities ages

The Pilot Program Model Using a Summer Pilot Program Model to Offer Pre-Employment Transition Services  To provide transition students an opportunity to: i.learn about and explore different career choices ii.discover their strengths and interests that can be applied to a career iii.Identify appropriate career pathways iv.job shadow and perform internships in different career fields v.acquire financial literacy skills and independent living skills

The Pilot Program Model Using a Summer Pilot Program Model to Offer Pre-Employment Transition Services  Goals and Objectives i.Career exploration activities. Examples include job shadowing; workplace site visits; interest and/or career inventories; exploration of relevant career fields and potential jobs; and learning about Delaware’s economy and career opportunities ii.Work-based learning experiences. Examples include work opportunities; paid or unpaid internships; summer employment provided in an integrated environment

The Pilot Program Model Using a Summer Pilot Program Model to Offer Pre- Employment Transition Services (Continued)  Goals and Objectives (Continued) iii. Community-based workplace readiness training to develop interpersonal skills, leadership development, and independent living skills. Examples include managing disclosure and requesting accommodations; instruction in self-advocacy and transportation training iv. College preparation and planning services- College readiness training to develop social and independent living skills; increase success rate and retention of students with disabilities; improve students’ potential for successful post- secondary experiences

Our Request for Proposal Process  An RFP was put out to our community partners  Meeting was held with potential providers  14 proposals received, 11 contracts awarded  Implementation (June – September 2015) The Pilot Program Model

Program Categories  Training (customer service, hospitality, culinary arts and urban gardening and workplace readiness)  Career exploration and preparation  College preparation and experience  Work based learning (paid and unpaid)  Three programs were offered to incarcerated youth (workplace readiness, culinary arts)  One program specifically for students at the School for the Deaf

Summer Pilot Programs Program Highlights  Anton Associates Customer Service Career Enhancement Summer Camp i.Dover Downs Hotel and Casino (customer service and hospitality) ii.14 youth, ages iii.Customer service training (40 hours) and paid job shadow experience (8 hours) iv.Governor Markell spoke at graduation

Anton Associates Former Anton Associates student Camille Brown addresses the class regarding the importance about always doing one’s best, teamwork, and how customer service skills are essential to personal growth.

Anton Associates - Graduation DVR Director Andrea Guest addresses audience. Governor Jack Markell converses with students.

Summer Pilot Programs Program Highlights (continued)  University of Delaware Edge Program i.5 week residential program, inclusive college prep experience ii.4 students, rising juniors and seniors iii.Specialized coaching and instruction iv.Develop critical executive functioning and self-advocacy skills while living, learning and participating alongside their typical-developing peers

Summer Pilot Programs Program Highlights (continued)  Easter Seals Peer Mentoring and Internship Program i.15 students, ages ii.6 week paid summer internship, hours per week iii.On-site job coaching and 1:1 peer mentoring supports iv.Close collaboration with student’s IEP team

Easter Seals

Summer Pilot Programs Program Highlights (continued)  Hospitality School Culinary Arts Summer Camp i.Career exploration and job shadowing in Culinary Arts and Urban Gardening ii.20 students, ages iii.Obtained ServSafe certificate

The Hospitality School Future Chefs of America!

The Pilot Program Model Plans for 2016  Start the process earlier  Expand to include more opportunities i.Delaware Technical Community College  Create opportunities for school year programing  Improve data and information collection

Anton Associates - Graduation Graduation Photo with the Governor