April 4, 2016

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK

Issue 16

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High School Transition From school to work

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West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)

April 2016

by [Article Author]

For students in the special education program in high school, DRS, is a great resource for transition assistance.

West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services offers students who have significant limitations with various physical activities: such as seeing, driving, learning, hearing, or stress management, assistance with work related questions and concerns.

DRS provides work related counseling and guidance that is individualized to each student’s needs. They can help people obtain employment and keep their jobs.

By: Lori Hausvater

DRS services include:            

Medical and Psychological Assessment Vocational Evaluation and Planning Career Counseling and Guidance Work-related training and Education Worksite Assessment and Accommodations Job Matching Job Coaching Supportive Employment Assistive Employment Short-term Medical or Psychological Services Driver Evaluations On-the-job Training

Do services from West Virginia Rehabilitation Services cost money?

Most vocational assistance to students who are eligible is offered at no cost.

Some of the related services that DRS offer may be covered by insurance. DRS helps their clients determine their options.

Contact your School Guidance Counselor for information or on the DRS website at wvdrs.org

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK | Issue APRIL 2016

Who is eligible for rehabilitative services?

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Training Individuals with Disabilities

by Joanna McKown

By: Joanna McKown

There are three factors that eligibility is based upon.

1. You must have a physical or mental condition that interferes with your ability to either get or keep a job.

2. You can benefit from the rehabilitative services in terms of a positive employment outcome.

3. You need vocational rehabilitation services in order to get or keep a job.

You must conduct an initial interview in order to determine eligibility for vocational services. This is set up between you and a rehabilitation counselor. Your counselor will talk with you about career plans and the services you feel are necessary for you to be successful. Be prepared to discuss your work history, education, and disability.

All personal information provided by you or any other source is strictly confidential. The counselor won’t release it to any other person or entity without your written consent.

Information from WV Division of Rehabilitation Services.

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There are many facilities throughout WV that work with the WV Division of Rehabilitation Services to provide training and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The WVARF, or West Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Facilities has a full list. These are just a few: Jackson County Development Center: Jackson County Development Center in Millwood, WV has been serving the community since 1979. The purpose of this program is to assist individuals with disabilities within the community either by providing training for employment, or by finding, obtaining, and maintaining employment. Since 1982, JCDC, Inc. has had accreditation through WV Division of Rehabilitation Services, which is the contributing factor that allowed this organization to offer vocational training for their participants. From production of products to data entry, JCDC offers a wide variety of activities, and employment training possibilities for its participants. Branch offices have been opened in Spencer, Pt. Pleasant, and Parkersburg to help

accommodate the expansions.

Today JCDC serves adults with special needs in Jackson, Mason, Roane, Calhoun, Wirt, and Wood Counties in West Virginia.

Goodwill Industries of Kanawha Valley, Inc. “The mission of Goodwill Industries of the Kanawha Valley, Inc. is to assist people with disabilities or those who are otherwise vocationally disadvantaged to achieve full participation and integration into society.” Goodwill was founded in the early 1900’s by a Methodist minister in Boston, MA. He was searching for a way to help impoverished residents of the city.

He collected used goods, clothes and other household items from the wealthier areas of the city then trained poor, impoverished or homeless individuals in how to mend or repair the items. They were then resold or given to the individuals that repaired them. From those humble beginnings, Goodwill has expanded its workforce to include people with developmental, physical, mental and emotional disabilities. This is only one of the Goodwill divisions that works within WV.

CONTACTING WVARF FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more participating WVARF (West Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Facilities) go to their website at http://tinyurl.com/gtyusw5http://tinyurl.com/gtyusw5

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK | Issue APRIL 2016

Postgraduate Study Program for students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Blind/Low Vision

By Danielle Emerick-Engle The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind offers a Postgraduate Study Program at the WVSDB campus in Romney, WV. Anyone ages 18-23 who has a hearing or vision loss is eligible.

The Postgraduate Study Program is open to students who graduated high school or completed a modified diploma from the county schools or WVSDB. Students will work on skills that enhance independent living skills, employment readiness, and post-secondary education. Each program is individualized to the student’s interests and needs.

An applicant must:  Be a resident of West Virginia  Have documentation as deaf or hard of hearing or visually impaired  Be 18 years of age or older  Have graduated with a standard or modified diploma from WVSDB or another high school in West Virginia  Demonstrate the capacity for unpaid and paid work with minimal supervision  Demonstrate strong independent communication skills  Demonstrate the capacity to live independently -- alone or with minimal assistance  Present a history of interest in and commitment to career preparation

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The Postgraduate Study Program includes:  English, ASL, Braille, and Math Skill Development  Coursework in CTE concentrations and/or individual area  On campus unpaid and paid internships  Off campus career experiences prior to program completion  Independent living preparation and opportunities The Postgraduate Study Program will consist of a yearlong educational plan.

Students can be in the program for either one or two years. It is supported

by State funds and is no cost to the student. Transportation is provided by WVSDB. The Postgraduate Students will follow the WVSDB calendar.

Postgraduate Students will live on campus within the Residential Setting.

The general timeline for Applications are as follows: - applications are available from February through March - applications must be submitted

by April - by the end of April, selected applicants will be contacted for an interview - the interview will take place in mid-May - mid-July the accepted applicant will receive information regarding the program - the postgraduate will begin their program by mid-August The students in the Postgraduate Study Program will create a portfolio reflecting what they have accomplished throughout the course of their study.

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The Postgraduate Study Program includes a checklist of skills to be acquired during participation in the program. This includes universal skills to achieve independence such as: - Pre-job training - Job searching - Job shadowing - Resume writing - Interview skills Anyone interested should contact John Milliman, Director of Special Education and Admissions, for further questions or to request an application: e-mail: jmilliman@k12.wv.us, phone: 304-822-4863 Questions can also be directed to: -

Jamie McBride, Principal of West Virginia School for the Blind: e-mail: jlmcbrid@k12.wv.usjlmcbrid@k1 2.wv.us, phone: 304-822-4800

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Tammy Philips, Principal of West Virginia School for the Deaf: e-mail: tlphillips@k12.wv.ustlphillips@k1 2.wv.us, phone: 304-822-4861

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Dr. Martin P. Keller, Jr., Superintendent of West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind: e-mail: martin.keller@k12.wv.us, Videophone/phone: 304-553-7974

*Information retrieved from the Postgraduate Study Program Handbook

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK | Issue APRIL 2016

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FAVORITE APPS & Websites WESTVIRGINIASTRATEGICCOMPASS.COM  Self –Assessments to help you choose an occupational field  Explore Job Families-explore occupations or careers in an area you may enjoy  Budget Your Life-learn about budgeting your financial life  The Marcellus Shale-explore opportunities in this growing industry Evernote.com  Create oral tests for students  Organize notes and other important materials Newsela.com  Find articles on a wide variety of topics that can be modified according to the students’ reading levels  Use the same article for special needs students that you use for regular education students but make it on a level that they can read and comprehend PACER.ORG  National Parent Center on Transition  Offers resources for parents to help their child with transition. Explains IEP’s and IDEA  Helps with college planning and preparing with employment

UPCOMING EVENTS

Spring 

Spring Regional Seminars April 8, RESA 7 @ RESA 7

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April 13, RESA 4 @ RESA 4

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April 14, RESA 1 @ RESA 1

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April 19, RESA 3 @ RESA 3 Nitro

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April 20, RESA 2 @ Cabell Co BOE

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April 21, RESA 5 @ RESA 5

Additional Resources:

Summer 

June 26-29 – ISTE National Conference, Denver, CO

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July 19-23 – WV State Technology Conference, Morgantown, WV

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West Virginia Association of the Deaf http://www.wvad.net/

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West Virginia Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing https://www.wvdhhr.org/wvcdhh/

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National Federation for the Blind (NFB) in West Virginia http://www.nfbwv.org/

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American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) http://www.afb.org

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Association for Education and the Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired https://aerbvi.org/

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