Webster Parish School Board

Transition services are a coordinated set of activities designed to help students with disabilities move from high school to post-secondary education, vocational training, employment, and independent living. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) contains requirements for transition services for students with disabilities. The Rehabilitation Act authorizes a continuum of services, such as pre-employment transition services, transition services, job placement services, other vocational rehabilitation services, and supported employment services for students and youth with disabilities, as appropriate, to secure meaningful careers. Providing transition services is a shared responsibility between the school and the vocational rehabilitation service.

The individualized education program (IEP) for each student with a disability must address transition services beginning no later than the first IEP to be in effect when the child turns 16, or younger if deemed appropriate by the IEP team. This transition plan must be updated annually.

The IEP must include: appropriate measurable post-secondary goals based on age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and, where appropriate, independent living skills; AND the transition services (including courses of study) needed to assist the student in reaching those goals.

While the IDEA statute and regulations refer to courses of study, they are but one example of appropriate transition services. Examples of independent living skills to consider when developing post secondary goals include self-advocacy, management of the home and personal finances,and the use of public information.

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are activities that provide an early start at job exploration for students with disabilities to assist with transitioning from school to postsecondary education or employment. Partnering with LRS (Louisiana Rehabilitation Services) we are able to offer students training in the Pre-ETS. These services focus on:

• Job Exploration: These activities will revolve around students’ interests.
• Workplace Readiness Training: These activities will help students and teachers identify areas of need for building or developing work-related skills.
• Post-Secondary Opportunities: These activities will familiarize students with jobs in sales, services, and production jobs.
• Self-Advocacy: These activities are designed to help students understand and recognized their disability.
• Work-Based Learning: These activities will allow students to job shadow, internship, volunteer work, and other work related activities.

During and after completing this program, students will have the opportunity to job shadow, intern, and potentially gain employment.

The Webster WORKS (Workforce Opportunities and Readiness for Key Skills) program is for special education students to focus on preparing them for life after high school, encompassing various aspects of independent living, career readiness, and social-emotinal development. These skills are crucial for fostering self-sufficiency, confidence, and successful navigation of adult life.

This program is in conjunction with LRS (Louisiana Rehabilitation Services). It teaches students job skills and independent living skills. Classes are 45 minutes, two to three times a week during school hours. The program is called Pre-ETS (Pre-Employment Transition Services). Students may be eligible for employment, inside the school or at an outside business in the community. This is a great opportunity for them to experience while focusing on the student’s strengths. Transition planning is a collaborative process involving the student, parents, educators, and other relevant professionals to ensure students are well-prepared for a successful future.

The student will be allotted 240 working hours up to three times during the course of the program. The student will be a regular employee. They must be able to communicate with other employees, with their employer, and the program facilitator. They will be responsible for keeping up with their hours and communicating when time off is needed. It this time transportation to/from work is the responsibility of the student/parent.

For your student to become enrolled in the program they must:

• Have an IEP
• Be in 11th grade or higher
• Be 16 years of age and in high school but under the age of 22.
   

If you have questions regarding your child’s postsecondary education or employment or opportunities through Webster WORKS, please contact Jessica McKaskle, Special Education Transition Facilitator.

jessica.mckaskle@websterpsb.org