Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) helps students with disabilities transition from school to the workplace with the help provider agencies across the state.
Program Description
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and requires Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies to set aside federal funds for the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to “students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services.”
This is a great opportunity to ensure students have access to meaningful career planning in order to help with the seamless movement from high school to employment or post-secondary training.
What are Pre-Employment Transition Services?
Job exploration counseling
Discussion of students’ vocational interests
Review of local labor market and in-demand industries and occupations
Non-traditional employment options
Identification of career pathways of interest to the students
Work-based learning experiences
Apprenticeships and job shadowing
Paid and non-paid internships and/or work experiences
Informational interviews
Volunteering
Counseling on postsecondary opportunities
Gaining awareness of career pathways
Promoting participation in postsecondary education
Attending college fairs and tours
Accessing services and supports from agencies that assist peoples with disabilities
Workplace readiness training
Receive training on communication, problem solving, and other specific social and interpersonal skills as well as independent living skills.
Instruction in self-advocacy
Training on self-awareness, disclosure of disability, and knowing individual rights and responsibilities.
Referral for the Program
A referral for the program typically comes from the student’s school. Either the teacher of record or transition coordinator with parent permission will complete a referral and send it to preferred provider. To start services, a parent can request the school to make the referral or the parent can contact the agency they prefer.
Program Eligibility
Who is a “Student with a Disability”?
A student with a disability is an individual with a disability in a secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program who:
is between the ages of 14 and 22 years old
is eligible for, and receiving, special education or related services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IEP, 504 plan)
Contact Information for the Local Office of the Program
Contact Information for Questions in Bartholomew County
Mary Hamlin, BCSC Transition Coordinator
hamlinm@bcsc.k12.in.us
Jonah Sullivan, Stone Belt
jsullivan@stonebelt.org
Crystal Thomas, DSI
cthomas@dsiservices.org
Finding an Eligible Provider
Jonah Sullivan, Stone Belt
jsullivan@stonebelt.org
Crystal Thomas, DSI
cthomas@dsiservices.org
For further information, please contact either
Will Colteryahn
william.colteryahn@fssa.in.gov
(724) 630-8400
Jonathan Kraeszig
jonathan.kraeszig@fssa.in.gov
(317) 417-4847
Additional Resources
Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA)