Part 2: Working with Local Agencies

Community Options

Pre-Employment Training Services program

  1. A group of newer services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
  2. Provides Pre-ETS to students with disabilities with the 14 -22 years of age range
  3. The goal of Pre-ETS is to provide additional support and intervention to students earlier in their education career

Click here to find a map of various agencies in your area that can help to provide Pre-ETS.

Pre-ETS supports include the following 5 areas:

    • Job exploration counseling
    • Work-based learning experience
    • Counseling on postsecondary education and transition services
    • Workplace readiness training
    • Instruction in Self-Advocacy

Student receive individualized supports in (one or several) of the 5 areas that leads to additional education, increased independence, and/or meaningful employment outcomes

Local Resources

The ARC of Otsego

The ARC of Otsego contracts with schools to provide customized services to guide and support individual student through the transition from school to employment and independence. Using skill and interest assessments, job shadowing and career exploration, a Transition Specialist assists the student to begin the process of self exploration to identify preferences, interests, strengths, goals, barriers to employment and strategies to overcome those barriers. Services can begin as early as age 14 and continue until the student reaches 21.

Students benefit from the individualized one-on-one services with a direct link to an established vocational service provider. Plus, since services can begin at age 14 and continue until age 21, delay in services after graduation is minimized.

Schools benefit from the additional resource to help meet the CDOS standards including agency participation in IEP meetings.

Arc of Otsego Resources

ACCES-VR

Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) starts with the presumption that all individuals with disabilities can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services and should have opportunities to work in jobs integrated within their communities. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors guide individuals through service programs they need to reach their employment goal.

By working closely with school districts, the P-12 Office of Special Education and community providers, ACCES-VR helps to ensure that all youth with disabilities are prepared for employment, post-secondary education and community living when they leave school. ACCES-VR can provide a range of services to help eligible individuals reach an employment goal.

ACCES-VR Resources