ESC Services: Work Study and Transition Services

Year in Review

2007-08 Work Study/Transition Services Summary

The five Work Study/Transition Services Coordinators

employed by the NPESC provided many services to

our districts in 2007-08.

These services included:

Providing 1199 students with Work Study as a Related Service on their IEPs

Providing Work Study credit toward graduation for 85 students working in the community

Students earning Work Study Credit also earned approximately $199,719 in wages during the school year.

Coordinating Adult Services for 163 students (Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Agencies)—participated in intake and follow-up meetings in order to insure appropriate services were received from each agency.

Referring 228 students for a Career Assessment (includes referral, evaluation, and follow-up staffings)

Assisting 110 students enrolling at Career Centers for the 07-08 school year

Participating in MFE team process for 333 (submitted Vocational Occupational Assessment Reports and attended multiple MFE meetings.)

Making 2458 classroom visits

Actively participating in 882 IEP meetings and explained transition and/or work study services available to each student.

Work Study/Transition Services Coordinators Help Students Graduate and Succeed! see below for details:

Transition Services as defined by IDEIA 2004:

Transition services means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.

In addition, transition services are based on an individual child’s needs, taking into account a child’s strengths, preferences, and interests; and include—
(i) Instruction;
(ii) Related services;
(iii) Community experiences;
(iv) The development of employment and other post-school adult living objectives; and
(v) If appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and provision of a functional vocational evaluation.

What are some of the services provided by the Work Study Coordinator?

Assists students with identifying their learning styles, preferences, aptitudes and vocational interests.

Assists students with setting future career goals and investigating post-secondary training options.

Assists with the development of appropriate transition goals.

Coordinates and schedules Career Assessment at the Career Center

Schedules and attends post Career Assessment reviews with the Career Assessment Specialist, parents and students.

Assists with the application process for attendance at the career center.

Works closely with VOSE coordinators and Job Training Coordinators at the career center to facilitate each student’s successful completion of program requirements.

Participates in initial evaluations and completes the Vocational/Occupational needs portion of the Evaluation Team Report (ETR)

Attends ETR and IEP meetings

Works closely with students, teachers, employers, parents, counselors and administrators to determine transition needs and to implement transition goals.

Maintains communication with teachers, counselors and parents regarding student progress and needs.

Connects students with appropriate support services in the community such as the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Success for Youth, Social Security, MRDD and County transportation systems.

Fosters awareness of job trends and skills needed to secure and maintain employment in a variety of vocations

Researches job trends and skills needed to secure and maintain employment in the community.

Attends workshops, seminars and training sessions on recent trends in education, transition, IEP development, the MFE and State regulations

Provides instructional and support materials for the development of skills related to successful transition

Meets with work study participants on a regular basis to monitor progress with the job search and/or existing employment.

Documents student progress and Awards grades/credits to work study participants

Transition Services and Work Study….They DO Make a Difference!

The primary goal of transition services is to help students develop the skills needed for lifelong learning which will help them deal successfully with changes, both in the workplace and society. Certainly, graduating from high school is one of the most important goals for accomplishing a successful transition from school to employment and independent living.

Participation in a work study program and the support received through the delivery of transition services can have a positive impact in a number of ways, including: