1. OPT 2 Go 2 Work Marilyn Barnett, LLC d.b.a. OPT2WORK

2. Marilyn Barnett Program Director Key Assets Foundation Owner Barnett Consulting, LLC Dba OPT2WORK

3. Mom of Patrick Who was diagnosed with autism in 1997 at age 22 months Pat is now 22 years old!
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

4. Patrick Received a diagnosis of Autism in 1997 at age 22 months Exploring the beach age 3 or 4
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

5. Patrick continued to love the beach Age 16
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

6. Patrick with his Special Olympics Banner age 19
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

7. Patrick 2015 Senior Pictures Age 20
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

8. Patrick 2016 Graduation Day Age 21
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

9. Patrick Sept. 2016 Job Interview
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

10. Patrick First Day of Work Sept. 2016 20 years down the road…
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

11. Opportunities to Participate & Transform
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

12. Learning Objectives: OVR Eligibility WIOA & Pre-ETS OPT In OPT2WORK
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

13. The Journey turns to WORK
Transition starts at age 14
Transition = planning for life after high school
School asks “What kind of work your child wants to do?”
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

14. Work The Work Journey And your answer….I don’t know?
An you realize you don’t even know what you do don’t know…about
Work
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

15. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or… OVR
The Work Journey
Then you start learning…
about employment services
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or… OVR
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

16. OVR or Kentucky Career Center Refer to Resource handout
The Work Journey
OVR or Kentucky Career Center
Refer to Resource handout
Rehabilitation/Pages/default.aspx
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

17. The Work Journey OVR Handout KY Wait List OVR website WIOA
Order of selection Brochure
Category of Selection 1 (07/2016)
Functional Areas
KY Wait List
WIOA
Pre-ETS Components
OVR Memos:
Work Experiences
Transition Services
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

18. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
The Work Journey
What is OVR
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
“(OVR) assists Kentuckians with disabilities to achieve suitable employment and independence.” 
Free to eligible individuals
Services related to attaining or maintaining employment
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

19. What is WIOA?
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act - signed by President Obama July 2014
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

20. Improves Services to Individuals with Disabilities:
WIOA increases individuals with disabilities’ access to high-quality workforce services to prepare them for competitive integrated employment. It requires better employer engagement and promotes physical and programmatic accessibility to employment and training services for individuals with disabilities. Youth with disabilities receive extensive “pre-employment transition services” to obtain and retain competitive integrated employment. It creates an Advisory Committee on strategies to increase competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

21. “pre-employment transition services”
1. Job Exploration Counseling
2. Work Based Learning Experiences – may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experiences outside the traditional school setting (including internships) that is provided in an integrated environment to the extent possible.
3. Post-Secondary Counseling – regarding opportunities for enrolment in comprehensive post-secondary transition or educational programs at institutions of higher education.
4. Workplace Readiness Training – to develop social skills and independent living skills.
5. Self Advocacy Instruction – which may include peer mentoring.
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

22. WIOA affect in Kentucky?
Kentucky asked OVR providers to submit proposals for Program Establishment Grant January 2014
Key Assets Foundation submitted the “OPT In” proposal in April 2014
Key Assets Foundation – one of 5 chosen out of 22 applications
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

23. What is OPT In? Opportunities to Participate and Transform
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

24. OPT In concept
OPT In seeks to provide Opportunities for individuals to Participate in socially valued roles by creating partnerships that educate and Transform both the individual and members of their community
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

25. The “OPT In” Concept Funding Targeted Population Systems of Change
Learning Environments
Systems of Change
Targeted Population
Funding
Key Assets Foundation
OPT In Grant
Persons Facing Barriers to Employment & other Social Roles
College Campus, High Schools, Community, Support Groups,
Cark D Perkins
OVR, Dept. of Education, Higher Education, Community Leaders & Employers
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

26. OPT In Target ages Students ages 14 – 21
Individuals out of school 16 to 24
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

27. OPT In Implement earlier interventions…
Pre-vocation training for individuals with barriers to employment
Increase family expectations about working
Decrease family fears of loosing benefits
Decrease distance between communities and individuals
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

28. OPT In What did OPT In accomplish in 3 years? Developed Curriculum
Engaged the Community
Engaged Employers
Engaged OVR System
Engaged the Education System
Engaged the Higher Education System
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

29. OPT In What did OPT In accomplish in 3 years?
Taught in a variety of group settings
College campus
High school after school & during school
CBI outings
Community settings
Carl D Perkins Training Center
Individual services
200+ students
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

30. “How did “OPT In” transform?
Participation
Which Impacts Through
Identity Impacts Negotiation
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

31. “Who did “OPT In” transform?
All of Us!
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

32. OPT2WORK Pre-Employment Transition Services
Community rehabilitation Program
Offering Pre-Employment Transition Services or Pre-ETS
Group classes
Minimum of 5
Maximum 15
Individual services 1:1
Age groups determined by Vocational Rehabilitation
School students ages 14 – 21
Out of school individuals ages 16 – 24
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

33. OPT2WORK offers Pre-Employment Transition Services
Workplace Readiness Training – to develop social skills and independent living skills.
Job Exploration Counselling
Self Advocacy Instruction – which may include peer mentoring.
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

34. OPT2WORK Pre-Employment Transition Services
Family involvement:
How does earnings affect SSI benefits?
What documents do you need to be able to work?
In-Class Supports expected (if needed): health , personal care, etc.
Schools provide supports per normal school day
Community workers welcome to support person
Family encouraged to support in class
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

35. OPT2Work Pre-Employment Transition Services
Transition Age
Social skills
Likes vs Dislikes
Job Preferences
Work Conditions
Working with your job coach
How does earnings affect SSI?
What documents are required to work?
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

36. OPT2Work Pre-Employment Transition Services
Flexible Curriculum
Think Skills
James Stanfield Transitions
Job Smart Videos
I Can Work
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

37. OPT2Work Pre-Employment Transition Services
Primary Instructor Training
Supported Employment Training Program
Peer Supports –lived experience
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

38. The Journey…
Continues…
Barnett Consulting, LLC dba OPT2WORK

39. Barnett Consulting, LLC
Thank You
Marilyn Barnett
Barnett Consulting, LLC