Back to School

Swimming pools are closing, the crayon section is picked over, and early bedtimes are back. As the school buses roll in, we thought it might be a good time to share what’s new with our partners at school.  Making sure we know what’s happening in schools ensures we are informed and effective team members. It also helps us serve transitioning students more effectively.

'Working with Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation': Fact Sheets for Our Partners (and us!)

Did you know that CCLC also supports teachers and schools? We have been collaborating with our partners at VR and the Indiana Department of Education to develop fact sheets on topics related to vocational rehabilitation for transition-aged youth, their teachers, and families. This updated "Working with Indiana VR" series includes lots of new information on Pre-ETS, Order of Selection, and what to expect.

Read through these fact sheets to gain a better understanding of how students transition from school to adult services and to learn what schools and teachers are doing regarding referral and eligibility. You can also use the Students and Families fact sheet to share with families and transition students. Use the links below to download the fact sheets:

• Information for Teachers About Student Referrals 
• Information for Students and Families: Choosing a Career and Finding a Job
• Frequently Asked Questions from Teachers

Changes to the Certificate of Completion

Our friends at the Indiana Department of Education want you to know about changes to the Certificate of Completion. In 2016, 16% of students with disabilities exiting the school system received a Certificate of Completion, rather than a high school diploma. With students entering high school this year (2018-2019 school year), there are higher expectations to ensure that students receiving a Certificate of Completion gain employability skills and develop paths to employment or postsecondary education. 

These increased expectations include:

• greater emphasis on academic goals, 
• readiness to enter the workforce, and
• the ability to access the workforce without a high school diploma. 

As an employment professional, how does this impact you?  

• Students will be better prepared for employment. Employability skills are an integral part of each student’s individualized education plan. Additionally, a student’s goals must align with grade-level standards and curriculum of diploma track students.

• Each student will graduate with a transition portfolio, which could be a helpful tool for you to use during Discovery and job development. The Department of Education is working on some sample portfolios, and we’ll share those with you as soon as they’re available. You can take a look at those, so you’ll know what to expect, but also so that you can teach potential employers who will want to know what to look for in a student portfolio.

• Every student should be working toward grade-level standards and should be receiving appropriate supports to progress in their education. Learning what is effective in school will be helpful as we look toward employment in the community.

Resources

Want more information on changes to the Certificate of Completion?

Certificate of Completion: Spread the Word: https://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/specialed/certificate-completion.pdf  

Coffee Talk (learning about changes to the Certificate of Completion from the Indiana Office of Special Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q44eTf4cv-8&feature=youtu.be

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!