Enhancing Partnerships between MN High Schools and Vocational

Rehabilitation ServicesAchieving the goals of the

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act together

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

(WIOA)

What is WIOA?

• President Barack Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law on July 22, 2014.

• WIOA is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is one workforce development program authorized by WIOA

• WIOA calls for greater collaboration between VR and school districts to increase the employment successes of students with disabilities

VR and WIOA

• A stronger emphasis on providing pre-employment transition services (PETS) to students with disabilities

• Continues individualized services with an emphasis on quality counseling

• Specifies 5 required activities during high school years…

Youth-related changes for VR in WIOA

• Job exploration counseling• Work-based learning experiences• Counseling on opportunities for

enrollment in post-secondary education• Workplace readiness training • Instruction in self-advocacy

PETS: 5 Required Activities

• Students with an IEP or 504 plan who are in a secondary school, prior to receiving HS diploma.

• Age range: Grade 9 through age 21

• Includes those in 18-21 transition programs

Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS): Target Audience

So what can we do together?

• What currently exists in our community for students within the five required areas?

• How can we collaboratively address the gaps?

Taking stock

• VR would like to explore creative ways to partner in locating work experience opportunities for students with disabilities

Work Experiences

• How can parents be involved?• How can work coordinators be involved? • What other partners can join us? – County staff– Other workforce partners– Who else?

Also to Address

US Department of Education/ WIOA Site:http://

www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/wioa-reauthorization.html

For More Info.