The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) establishes Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) as the primary agency for preparing youth in an educational setting (H.S., home-school, college, HiSET) with disabilities for employment. VR can deliver specific Pre-Employment Transition Services (PreETS) including:
1. Job Exploration Counseling
- Explore & experience careers in the community
- Identify career pathways (career interest surveys)
- Locate in-demand jobs according to the labor market
2. Work Based Learning Experiences
- Provide job shadow, mock interview and short-term work experiences
- Connect students to work based learning programs
- Exposure to different jobs and local businesses
3. Counseling for Post-Secondary Education
- Exploration and information on careers, degree programs, and other training paths
- Referrals to campus resources and supports
- Preparation for entrance into college or training programs
4. Workplace Readiness Training
- Soft skill training and development
- Financial literacy and independence
- Understanding employment expectations
- Peer mentoring and group activities
- Independent living and community living skills
5. Instruction on Self-Advocacy
- Learning about student’s rights and responsibilities
- Mentoring with education staff
- Participating in youth leadership activities
- Individual and group support and skill building
The goal of PreETS is to improve individual informed choice for students with a disability when it comes to preparing for a career or employment. Early exposure to a multitude of options, careers and experiences lead to better employment outcomes. PreETS are about exposure, exploration and preparation for future employment.
PreETS Student Eligibility
Do you have:
- A disability; learning, cognitive, sensory, physical, mental or a medical condition?
- Is it challenging for you to locate or keep a job?
- Are you on an IEP, 504 or receiving counseling or other disability related services outside of school?
- Between the ages of 14-21
If you answered yes to any of the above questions please call your local VR office to see if you are eligible for services.
DVR PreETS Can
- Meet with students , family and school staff to develop goals for training, education and employment.
- Connect you to other agencies, resources and supports
- Attend IEP’s, 504 or other team meetings
- Provide individualized career counseling
- Help you become more independent through employment
- Assist in discovering services needed for your success
- Give you skills and support on obtaining and maintaining your employment
- Learn about life after school and becoming more responsible
PreETS services are limited, if a student requires additional services, they must apply for the full traditional VR program and meet all eligibility requirements. Under WIOA, PreETS must be offered in a timely manner to students with disabilities. See your local VR agency to gain access to all other PreETS opportunities.
The full traditional VR program is a federal-state program that helps individuals who have a disability and a barrier to employment. VR will assist individuals in preparing for, obtaining, maintaining, advancing in and stabilizing in employment.
The enactment and revisions of federal legislation with the Department of Education and Labor require that state educational agencies and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) collaborate to provide seamless access to career services. The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is housed under the federal Department of Education and is obligated to preserve and use a minimum of 15% of their general VR funds on Pre-Employment Transition Services (PreETS). No additional funding was provided for PreETS. PreETS services do not reduce educational agencies obligation to provide services under IDEA and both agencies should work together to ensure services are not duplicated. VR and the Wyoming Dept. of Education have a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work with schools state-wide.
Wyoming Vocational Rehabilitation Offices
Contact Us:
dws-vrtransition@wyo.gov
The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will put students on a road to a bright future. We will address individual student needs and put your student on the right path to furthering their education and future employment.
Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation is a U.S. Department of Education program funded with state and federal match dollars to provide services to individuals who have physical or mental disabilities to assist them in obtaining, maintaining and stabilizing in employment.
Persons seeking services to VR shall be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or political belief.