OFFICE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES AT LADSE

CONTENTS:

If you are eligible, the ORS Vocational Program can help you to:

• Plan your career
• Participate in paid work experiences
• Get training to achieve your work goals
• Find a job that matches your abilities, interests and needs
• Work with you and your employer or college to make sure you receive reasonable accommodations when you need them.

Each person who comes to ORS as a customer works with a rehabilitation counselor. Together, they follow these four steps:

1. Decide on an employment goal. The customer selects a job goal that matches his or her aptitudes and interests. The counselor may help to obtain the necessary information so the customer can make the best choices. Sometimes this will require gathering information from other people such as teachers or doctors. Sometimes getting assessments such as vocational testing and job try-outs are helpful.
2. Develop a plan. The customer works with a counselor and the school to develop a plan for employment. The plan identifies the services that will be needed. It will state who will provide the services and how to determine if they are beneficial. While in high school, the vocational plan will complement the student's IEP.
3. Follow the plan. The customer receives the services outlined in his or her plan. Some examples are below:
   • Job-seeking skills training
   • Job Placement assistance
   • Job training
   • STEP (Secondary Transitional Employment Program)
   • Job coaches/Support Services
   • Transitional Linkage to Adult Supports
   • If a customer is a high school student, some of these services will be provided as part of his or her school program. The ORS Counselor will monitor progress through the pre- vocational coordinator, attend staffings, and make arrangements for the services that will be needed to make the transition out of high school as smooth as possible.
   • Reach the goal. The counselor works with the customer to reach the final goal; finding the right job. Once the customer is on the job, the counselor follows up at least 90 days to make sure both the employer and the new employee are satisfied. Sometimes additional services are needed. When this happens, ORS can begin working with the customer again to support them in keeping the job.

No. The ORS counselor works with all students in high school who have a disability.

ORS can assist you in the planning, getting connected to supports and services, and, based on financial need and your vocational goal, ORS can assist with funding.

ORS services can still be of value to you:
In planning for the future and reaching your goals, advocacy, connecting you with other resources you may need in the future including further job development, job training and vocational testing.
You will make decisions that fit your own career interests, choices and goals. The best situation for all students is to have everyone working together to assist you in planning for your future career goals.

Information about you, including the fact that ORS is assisting you is kept CONFIDENTIAL.

We recommend that students be referred to the LADSE/ORS office while in their sophomore year of high school. This timing allows the Transition Specialist to work with you and the school to help identify a suitable work goal and suggest work readiness activities that can take place before you finish school. The Transition Specialist can assist by linking you to resources and supports that will continue after high school. Students can be referred as early as age 14.

Your school will help you apply. Your school vocational coordinator or guidance counselor can help you get in contact with the LADSE/ORS office to arrange an appointment at your school. If someone at your school doesn't talk to you about ORS by your senior year, you or your parents can call and make an appointment with a local ORS office.

You need to make the right connections before leaving school, so there is no gap in services. After you leave school, no single agency is required to provide or coordinate all needed services. Each agency has its own application process and way of providing service.

Experiences that Lead to Success