CHANGES IN LEGISLATION AND ITS OPPORTUNITIES FOR DRS, SCHOOLS, AND OTHER PARTNERSKimberly Osmani, Statewide Transition CoordinatorOklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

Erin Wilder, Statewide Transition SpecialistTexas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

Topics

1. What is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)?

2. Opportunities Provided through WIOA for Transition of Students and Youth

3. Middle School4. Collaborative Practices

What is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)?

• Formerly Workforce Investment Act (WIA)• WIOA modernizes and streamlines the WIA, which had been due for reauthorization since 2003.

• $3 billion program funds state and local workforce initiatives and provides comprehensive job training services for adults and youth.

WIOA

• Congressional finding is added…• Congress finds that many students with disabilities are leaving

secondary school without competitive integrated employment or being enrolled in postsecondary education, and there is a need to support such students as they transition from school to postsecondary life.

• There is more emphasis on Transition and youth services throughout. In particular, there is emphasis on transition to postsecondary life—not just to employment or postsecondary education.

• I want to get a job! video

Opportunities Provided through WIOA for Transition

•Outreach• Middle School/Junior High

• How can VR support you?• Disconnected youth

• How can you support VR?• Underrepresented youth

• 504 Plans, foster youth• Needs of youth

Opportunities Provided through WIOA for Transition

• Services to Groups• Youth or students 14-24• In or out of school• Reduces costs per individual• Reduces burden on families to apply unless intensive services are needed

• Reduces administrative burden on counselors (access to kids, less time on paperwork, reach broader group)

• Examples: Labor market info, self-advocacy and self-determination, how to do resumes, college tours

Impact on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs

• WIOA and Changes• Potentially Eligible• Partnerships (local, state, regional)• Focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

• Focus on Competitive Integrated Employment (compensation and benefits)—real work with real wages and benefits

• Student v. youth

Impact on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs

• WIOA and Changes• Potentially Eligible• Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) may contain an employment “outcome” or “projected outcome” for youth or students; amendments are OK!

• Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS)• 15% of agency’s federal award• Only to “students” but transition services can be provided to youth (just not counted in 15%)

Impact on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs

• WIOA and Changes• PETS (5 required and other authorized)

• 5 Required Areas1. Job exploration counseling2. Work-based learning experiences such as

Internships 3. Counseling on opportunities for postsecondary

training4. Job readiness skills training to develop social

and independent living skills5. Self-advocacy instruction

Impact on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs

• WIOA and Changes• Focus on out-of-school youth (with most significant disabilities)• Subminimum wage (Section 511) (takes effect 7/22/2016)

• No youth unless also accessing services through WIOA and/or IDEA

• No Contracts• Exceptions• Goal is competitive integrated employment• Individual and/or their family must receive information and

career counseling services every 6 months for the 1st year and annually thereafter as long as they are still receiving subminimum wage

• Semi-Annual reviews for 1st 2 years and annually thereafter

Impact on Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs

• WIOA and Changes• Supported Employment (50% for youth)

• Up to 24 months for all with most significant disabilities

• What is Supported Employment?• What does it look like?

• Extended Services (4 years)• Parent engagement

Intersection of WIOA and IDEA• Special education and related services v. employment readiness services

• Accessing education v. preparing for or participating in employment• Assistive technology• Job coaches/paraprofessionals• Job placement• Transportation• HTS/Attendant Care

Ideas• iJobs and other Summer Programs• Project SEARCH• Work Adjustment Training• School Work Study• Autism Work Adjustment Program in Tulsa• Job Club• Partnership with Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) at Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC), Southwest Oklahoma Juvenile Center (SWOJC), and Norman Facilities Pilot

Partnerships• Hands-On Hospitality (Hyatt)• Project SEARCH• Summer Programs• Local, regional, state projects• Cross state partnerships• Camps• College experiences

How this changes VR working with schools

• Earlier outreach• Provide services alongside and in collaboration with the school to support student’s skill building

• Greater leeway to partner with school and community agencies to provide PETS

• Attending IEPs—when invited!• What is a good life?  OK’s Community of Practice asked

individuals in their network this question.  Here are the responses in a video format.• http://supportstofamilies.org/what-is-a-good-life/ video

Resources• National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT)

• http://www.transitionta.org• OK-DRS Transition Information and Resources

• http://www.okrehab.org/drupal/students/transition• Association on Higher Education and Disabilities

• https://www.ahead.org/students-parents/transitions • Emerging Practices identified by states and selected by RSA (you can see

specific topics by relevance by clicking on tabs at top)• https://rsa.ed.gov/emerging-practices.cfm

• WIOA places an emphasis on STEM Careers.  Here is a good site with info.• http://stemcareer.com/

• The Top 25 In Demand Jobs and Fastest Growing Occupations• http

://www.campusexplorer.com/college-advice-tips/76DB6BDB/Top-25-In-Demand-Jobs-and-Fastest-Growing-Occupations/

Contact Information• Kimberly Osmani

• kosmani@okdrs.gov• (405) 635-2768• (405) 343-8071

• Erin Wilder• Erin.wilder@dars.state.tx.us• (512) 424-4048