WIOA Statement:
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and now requires vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to set aside at least 15% of their federal funds to provide "Pre-Employment Transition Services" to "students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services."
Watch the animated Pre-ETS video to learn more about Pre-Employment Transition Services:
What are Pre-Employment Transition Services?
- Pre-ETS are a coordinated set of activities, designed with an outcome-oriented process, which promotes movement from school to post-school activities organized in collaboration with local school staff;
- Available to enhance and support secondary education transition planning, not replace or supplant transition requirements;
- Intended to work toward alignment of the student’s IEP and/or High School and Beyond Plan goals;
- Coordinated activities that are based upon the individual student’s needs, taking into account the student’s skills, abilities, preferences and interests;
- Must be provided on the basis of individual need:
- The five required pre-employment transition services are not mandated to be provided to each student with a disability if all the activities are not necessary; and
- Are services that support the student’s informed choice for participation
Who is eligible for Pre-Employment Transition Services?
- Students who are enrolled in a secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program
- Students who are no younger than the earliest age for the provision of transition services under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and/or Washington Administrative Code in relation to “appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age appropriate transition assessments related to training, education”
- Typically ages 16 through 21
- Students who are eligible for, and receiving, special education or related services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), or is an individual with a disability, for purposes of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- Students who have an IEP, a 504 plan, or a documented disability
What Pre-Employment transition services are available?
- Job Exploration
- Students explore the world of work and learn more about their interests, abilities and future goals
- Self-Advocacy
- Students develop the skills necessary to flourish in work and everyday life
- Work-Based Learning
- Students have the opportunity to gain work experience prior to graduation
- Workplace Readiness Training
- Students learn what it takes to work in the real world, including job-related independent living skills
- Post-Secondary Education Counseling
- Students receive guidance on how to gain education and/or technical training past high school