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Take time to note take and reflect during this presentation. Trust me there is so much I can't wait to share and I really want you to take it all in!

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As I describe each of the following be sure to write a quick note on one or two of interest to you or are new to you.

Pre-ETS are:
1) job exploration counseling;

(2) work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), that is provided in an integrated environment to the maximum extent possible;

(3) counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education;

(4) workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living; and

(5) instruction in self-advocacy (including instruction in person-centered planning), which may include peer mentoring (including peer mentoring from individuals with disabilities working in competitive integrated employment).

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States are required to reserve no less than 15 percent of the Federal VR  allotment for the provision of pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities under section 113 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Quick reflection: What does this mean to you?

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Quick reflection:
What is Charting the course and it's purpose to you?

TWC has a surplus of Pre-ETS funds that the feds said use it or lose it! The five year Charting the Course was created as a way to spend those funds.

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Reflect on who you would partner up with or how to research who is available in your area?

I partnered with two employment service providers with TWC, Empowering Hands and PRIDE Industries years one and two. They are certified to  provide the Pre-ETS curriculum. They helped to plan the Pre-ETS areas to be covered and write the Task Request Orders, TRO. I partnered with Empowering Hands and CN Vision for year three and with just Empowering Hands for years four and five.

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Year One we only served two small districts for grades 8th & 12th, approximately 60 students total.

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Year two we opened all events to all the districts in our region. We had 9 districts participate with 150-250 students per event for grades 8th, 9th, & 12th.

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And then there was COVID! All events went virtual AND we added a grade level, 8th, 9th, 10th, & 12th. PRIDE Industries could no longer participate, but we added another service provider that specialized in professional dress/hygiene. We had 120-140 students participate virtually each event. All materials were packed up and teachers picked up and delivered to their students for each event.

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And COVID restrictions were lifted! Masks were encouraged and everyone got sanitized. We built on what the students learned during years two and three based on feedback that we got from the teachers involved. We added another grade level, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th with 100-220 students per event. Empowering Hands became my sole ESP that I worked with.

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Year five built on what the students learned during years two, three, and four. We still served grade levels 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, & 12th with 200-220 students per event.

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As I introduce each event below, write down at least 3 that are interesting to you and would be beneficial to the students you support.

Years one and two were more about the sessions and getting the students the Pre-ETS information.

Year three allowed us to bring in custom made videos on hair care, make-up, dressing professionally-including how to tie a tie, with sessions on lighting for a Zoom interview, mock interviews with employers, resume writing, and completing a job application.

Year four grew! We incorporated AT into the sessions and provided the students with Rocketbooks and Rocket Cloud Cards. Our AT project manager developed a Google doc with apps that can help the students manage time etc. better and shared those resources with them. Students prepared boards for a reverse job fair for the fourth event.

Year five exploded! Sessions included money management with a local bank, how to APPROPRIATELY answer interview questions, TWC informational sessions, a What Not To Wear fashion show with clothing closet for the students to pick our interview appropriate outfits, and Reverse Job Fair Board prep stations with printers. We hosted a reverse job fair in the fall and students wore their outfits from the clothing closet. Day three was an agency fair with over 80 community agencies! Day four was a second reverse job fair.

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What would you start with; grade, number of participants and what would you monitor to help you plan for another year?
Find a good ESP for TWC and collaborate.
Network with the agencies and transition specialists in your district/region.
Share information with EVERYONE!

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Reflect and note take on at least two of the below areas that you want to learn more about or already do but want to expand on with your partners.

Sessions focused on the Pre-ETS Curriculum

Job Readiness

Interview skills

Resume Writing

Money Management

Job Exploration

Self Advocacy

VR SErvices

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Mock Elevators were created.
Students had a template for an elevator speech that was completed ahead of time.
Students would enter the "elevator" and give their speech to the person inside the "elevator."

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Donations from the community and Goodwill.
Students got to pick clothing from the closet.
Students would wear their new outfits to the reverse job fairs so they were dressed to impress.
Clothing, shoes, ties, belts, blazers, dresses, skirts, etc.

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Create a Save the Date Flyer.

Email and personally deliver flyers to agency partners. at least one month out.

Create a Registration Flyer with a QR Code to register.

Email and personally deliver flyers 2 weeks before event.

As registrations come in to the form, send calendar invites to those that have registered.

We created a Scavenger Hunt for students to ensure they visited all (well, most) of the agencies. Door prizes were awarded.

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Create a Save the Date Flyer.

Email and personally deliver flyers to employers at least one month out.

Create a Registration Flyer with a QR Code to register.

Email and personally deliver flyers 2 weeks before event.

As registrations come in to the form, send calendar invites to those that have registered.

Partner with TWC to recruit employers for the job fair.

Host a PD session for employers on how to work with employees with disabilities.

Sensitivity Training provided by TWC staff.

Employer panel of 4 employers that work with students with disabilities.

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Note take and reflect on how this would look in your area, where would you start and how beneficial would this be?

Over 200 students brought their job fair boards.
Dressed to impress and interview ready.
Students practiced interview questions while employers were in their PD session.
Mock interviewers were also on hand to ensure that every student got at least 2 interviews.

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Look back at your note taking and reflections to help create those clarifying questions. Not interested in speaking up in front of the crowd, then contact me and I will gladly share and respond to your questions.

Leah Wood ESC Region 19
Project Manager, SCTN and State Leadership Team
915-780-5349
lwood@esc19.net