Kirk Hall, Transition Administrator VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

How to Improve Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities

Pathways to Meaningful Careers:

Download the Conference Mobile App

https://crowd.cc/galdisabilities

Presented by Kirk Hall, Transition Administrator

The Participant will:

Connect with the VR School to Work Transition Program and access needed services for youth

Explore agency and community partnerships which support evidence-based transition models

Describe how specific activities and resources in the community will engage youth, enhance education, and build the needed network of supports

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Experience is the number one thing employers want in a new hire

Employer’s reference preference is from another employer

Lack of soft/social skills is the number one reason given for terminating a person from their first job

Employers hire people that are already working before considering those that are not

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Employers prefer industry supported certifications

Employers hire people they know or those referred by people they know before others

Employers prefer KSAs to drive resumes KSA=Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Temporary positions and part-time jobs often lead to full-time employment

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Social Skills Network

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TAY is anyone who applies to VR between the ages of 16 – 24

TAY who apply while in High School are served by VR Transition Counselors

TAY who apply after having exited High School are served by VR General Counselors

There is one or more VR Transition Counselors assigned to every public high school, including any charter or private school requesting assistance

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Youth that have:

A 504 Plan

An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP)

A high risk for dropping-out

Youth that do not have:

An IEP or 504 Plan, but Do have a disability or condition that will interfere with work, including preparation for work

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VR does not serve the entire population of students with disabilities Students must require VR services due to their disability in order to obtain employment Students receiving SSI or SSDI due to their disability are presumed eligible for VR services Most VR eligible students will fall into Priority Category 1 (78%) or 2 (21%), with less than 1% falling into Priority Category 3 After Guidance and Counseling, Training & Placement are the services most often needed by transition students

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Two years prior to exit from high school

At age 16 and beyond when students are in community based work experience

VR Transition brochures are provided for student/family planning at age 14 and beyond

Students need to be able to participate in vocational activities and planning when they apply to VR

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Each IEP or 504 Plan after application

Medical and/or psychological records or new evaluations that document disability

Each yearly Transcript or academic report, to include diploma track information

Attendance and tardiness reports

Behavioral reports, if applicable

Vocational training records and/or career assessments, if available

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Eligibility Determination: Psychological Evaluation

Medical Evaluation

IPE Development: Rehabilitation Technology and Services

Vocational Evaluation

***If needed, evaluations for IPE Development are authorized after an individual comes off the Order of Selection waitlist***

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Employment drives the planning process The goal has to be realistic and attainable The goal should align with the student’s strengths first and foremost The focus of the VR counselor is not only employment, but to place the student on a path to a meaningful career

If we can’t have foresight, We can at least have forethought.

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There is little change between 2012 and 2020. Nearly 86% of all entry level jobs will require an Associate’s Degree or less. Jobs requiring a Bachelor’s degree or higher are primarily in education or health service industries.

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Less Than High School

17.34%

High School18.64%

PSAV 36.01% Associate

Degree13.99%

Bachelor's10.15%

Master's or Higher3.88%

Less Than High School

17.26%

High School19.11%

PSAV 35.96% Associate

Degree13.90%

Bachelor's10.05%

Master's or Higher3.72%

PSAV = Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate

2012 2020

Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Labor Market Statistics Center, Employment Projections Program, Forecast to 2020, released September 2012.

Developed with the student

Includes vocational counseling

Identifies aptitudes and abilities before interests

Counseling on the differences between IDEA entitlement vs. ADA eligibility

Assures understanding of the greater benefit of work (CWIC/WIPA)

Provides informed choice for necessary services

Identifies high school services on the IPE 16

Disability Guidance & Counseling ◦ Long term disability planning ◦ Postsecondary accommodations & assistive technology ◦ Employment and career

Community Based Work Experience ◦ Third Party Cooperative Arrangements ◦ Project Search and High School High Tech

Job Coaching & On-the-Job Training over summer Uniforms & supplies for work experiences Transportation assistance to community resources

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Business connections: employer & professional mentoring Peer counseling & mentoring Campus & industry tours Community service & volunteerism Youth and social clubs Outdoor recreation organizations Faith based organizations/activities School based enterprise

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Project SEARCH High School High Tech Third Party Cooperative Arrangements (TPCA) Postsecondary Education Programs

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Project SEARCH is a high school transition program offering a unique,

business led, one year school-to-work process that takes place

entirely at the host business. Total workplace immersion facilitates a

seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration,

and hands-on training through worksite rotations.

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Serves young adults with a variety of developmental disabilities Students are typically on an Individual Education Program Focus is on competitive integrated employment State program sites are licensed through Project SEARCH Cincinnati Students participate in 3 targeted internships (worksite rotations) to acquire skills

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Host business - supervision and feedback LEA - employment skills curriculum Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) - job coaching Vocational Rehabilitation - support for student Developmental disability agency - follow along 22

On the Job Evaluation: first two weeks Job Coaching: 40 hours in first or second rotation On-the-Job Training: during the last rotation Employment Services: after the last rotation Supported Employment: after the last rotation Uniforms and Supplies: prior to training

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Served 148 students (20 in 2007) 60% of interns hired over life of program Most students remain employed (6+ months) Average hours per week 25.5 Average wage $8.33 (13% above min wage) 32% have benefits 88% of jobs match the original VR goal

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J. Erin Riehle, MSN, RN Director, Project SEARCH, Division of Disability Services 513-636-8729 erin.riehle@cchmc.org Susie Rutkowski Co-Director, Project SEARCH 513-803-5293 susie.rutkowski@cchmc.org

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To reduce the high school dropout rate of youth with disabilities To increase the enrollment of youth with disabilities in postsecondary institutions To improve the participation in education, vocational & employment activities in technology related fields

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A program of the Able Trust Engage students with all kinds of disabilities Explore jobs and postsecondary education in technology-related fields Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Activities may occur during school hours, after school, or over the summer and holiday breaks

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Corporate Site Visits Job Shadowing Summer Internships Service Learning (Volunteering) Career Focused Mentoring Guest Speakers/Mock Interviews Campus Tours Leadership Activities

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The Florida Governor's Alliance for the Florida Endowment Foundation for Vocational Rehabilitation Vocational Rehabilitation Corporate Grants Donations and Sponsorships

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The Florida HSHT Program experienced a high school dropout rate of less than 1% 80% of Florida HSHT graduates entered postsecondary education, continuing education or employment 44% of Florida HSHT graduates entered postsecondary education after graduation Services were provided in 122 high schools and alternative education settings 178 high school students (representing grades 9-12) secured employment 30

Florida’s

High School High Tech

Programs

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VR and the LEA collaborate to provide VR eligible students with an approved IPE Community Based Work Experience (CBWE) in high school VR collaborated with school districts to support 36 Employment Specialists Services were provided in 16 school districts 246 high school students (representing grades 9-12) were provided work experiences

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Santa Rosa

Holmes Jackson

Washington

Bay Calhoun

Gadsden Leon Jefferson Madison Hamilton

Taylor Wakulla

Franklin

Gulf

Suwannee Columbia

Alachua Dixie

Bradford

Gilchrist

Baker

Nassau

Duval

Clay St. Johns

Putnam

Flagler

Marion

Levy

Citrus

Pasco

Volusia

Hernando

Sumter Lake

Hillsborough

Manatee

Polk

Seminole

Orange

Brevard

Osceola

Highlands

Sarasota

Hardee

DeSoto

Okeechobee

Charlotte

Lee

Glades

Hendry

Collier

Indian River

St. Lucie

Martin

Palm Beach

Broward

Monroe

Dade

Area Two Alachua

Baker

Bradford

Citrus

Clay

Columbia

Dixie

Duval

Flagler

Gilchrist

Levy

Marion

Nassau

Putnam

St Johns

Union

Volusia

Area Three Brevard

DeSoto

Hardee

Highlands

Indian River

Lake

Martin

Okeechobee

Osceola

Orange

Polk

Seminole

St. Lucie

Sumter

Area Four Hernando

Hillsborough

Manatee

Pasco

Pinellas

Sarasota

Area One Bay

Calhoun

Escambia

Franklin

Gadsden

Gulf

Hamilton

Holmes

Jackson

Jefferson

Lafayette

Leon

Liberty

Madison

Okaloosa

Santa Rosa

Suwannee

Taylor

Wakulla

Walton

Washington

Area Five Broward

Charlotte

Collier

Glades

Hendry

Lee

Palm Beach

Area Six Miami-Dade

Monroe

18 School Districts with a Third Party Cooperative Arrangement (TPCA) for CBWE ending in School Years 2012-2013

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Three Core Universities: ◦ University of South Florida, St. Pete (USFSP) ◦ University of North Florida (UNF) ◦ Lynn University Primary Focus: ◦ Development of a PSE Model (using partnerships) ◦ Development of a PSE Credential for students

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utili

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Emphasis on expansion of agency & business

partnerships & a comprehensive

curriculum with inclusive academics leading to a meaningful credential

Objective 1

Objective 3

Objective 2

Venn Again

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Education/Training is one of the most effective ways to eliminate barriers to employment PSE supports the personal growth and development of “all” the skills needed to become employed Promotes inclusive programs with fair and equitable access in the community Adequate vocational guidance and counseling is often missing from postsecondary decisions

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211 Referral Services www.gethelpflorida.org Local Interagency Councils and Committees Parent Teacher Associations www.floridapta.org Disability Organizations & Support Groups www.disabilityrightsflorida.org FL Alliance for Assistive Services & Technology’s General Resource and Self Help Guide for Children with Disabilities and their Families www.faast.org

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Practical Money Skills for Life -designed for youth http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/ US site for money basics and education www.mymoney.gov Money Smart -an educational program http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/mscbi/mscbi.html

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www.FloridaHATS.org 411 on Health Insurance for Young Adults 18-30 Health Care Transition Training Program for Families and Youth Regional Service Directory for Health Services Learning About Your Health www.fyitransition.net

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Department of Children and Families Mental Health Services www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/samh/MentalHealth/ The Multiagency Network for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities www.sednetfl.info Private Provider Resources

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FL Disabled Outdoor Association www.fdoa.org Boys & Girls Clubs www.bgca.org Social Interest Clubs (School, Library, Book Stores & Hobby Shops) Athletic Activities & Interests Faith Based Youth Organizations

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Independent Living Centers www.floridacils.org

Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged www.dot.state.fl.us/ctd/

Self Determination & Advocacy (e.g., Stand Up for Me Curriculum)

Student & Family Guides for the IEP and Accommodations www.project10.info

Decision Making Options brochure and various other materials www.apd.myflorida.com/publications 45

Career & Service Centers- Disability Program Navigator http://www.floridajobs.org/onestop/onestopdir/index.asp

School assisted Career Assessments www.iel.org/pubs/ncwd.html

Self-Directed Career Assessments www.choices.org

Agency Sponsored Career Counseling VR School to Work Transition Program www.rehabworks.org

Brochures, posters and information sheets on skills, careers and wages www.labormarketinfo.com/pubs

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Please Contact the Transition Administrator for Technical Assistance

Kirk.Hall@vr.fldoe.org (800) 451-4327 (toll free)

(850) 245-3360 (direct line)