Pre-ETS: Singing the Same Tune

You may be working with high school students, teachers, or families who are already receiving Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), or you may be getting questions from students and families who are curious. Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation funds Pre-ETS and works with the agencies and community employment programs that provide services to schools. Your agency may be included among the existing Pre-ETS providers. Currently, not all schools and communities are offering Pre-ETS, but the list is growing. Students receiving these services may learn more about potential career paths or even get some work experience before they leave school!

Altogether Now!

With the implementation of VR’s order of selection last summer, the applications and eligibility process can be confusing to students, teachers, families, (and us too!).  We’ve all had questions about how order of selection affects participation in Pre-ETS services, and when to refer a student to VR. 

As a result, VR created a fact sheet for educators, which the Center on Community Living and Careers shared with teachers along with a decision flow chart to clarify how order of selection affects Pre-ETS. (Side note: Half of our center works with you and all-things-employment; the other works with secondary teachers and all-thing-transition. We’re a versatile group!) Since Pre-ETS is really a blending of both worlds—education and employment—we thought you might want to see that same information. Review the fact sheet and flow chart, below. They certainly helped us understand all of the moving parts!

Fact sheet: Pre-Employment Transition Services & Order of Selection

Flow chart: Pre-ETS flowchart 

Resources for Your Conductor

While we’re on the subject, does your agency provide Pre-ETS services? If yes, share the following information with the person running the show! 

The Workforce Innovation Technical Assistance Center (WINTAC) works with state VR programs and their partners to effectively implement the requirements of WIOA, including Pre-ETS programming. They house a number of resources you can use to implement required activities, as well as clarification and information on relevant topics like internship programs. 

Here are a few we’re pretty excited about:

• CRP Pre-ETS Guidebook: Strategies for CRPs to Collaborate on Pre-ETS: This handbook provides a comprehensive look at providing Pre-ETS, from factors to consider when hiring staff, to tools and resources for each of the required activities. 

• Internship Programs Under The Fair Labor Standards Act: This fact sheet provides general information to help determine whether interns and students working for “for-profit” employers are entitled to minimum wages and overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

• The Path to Independence: Mobile Apps to Support Transition-Age Youth: Tips from the Pacer Center to support students with disabilities. 

• For these resources, and many more, check out the WINTAC site: http://www.wintac.org/topic-areas/pre-employment-transition-services/resources

And a one, and a two, and a….Sing out, Louise!