The Transition Career Exploration Workshop A new tool

The Transition Career Exploration Workshop A new tool to promote improved outcomes for transition-age clients

This workshop will… Identify the factors and data that drove creation of the TCEW Describe the process used to develop and rollout the TCEW Explore early data results Present the importance of partnership with the state educational agency Provide attendees with an electronic link to the TCEW curriculum

Maine DVR - Overview Located within the Maine Department of Labor Received 3900 applications in 2013 Approximately 1/3 of DVR’s clients are transition age youth DVR encourages applications from high school students within two years of graduation 3

Factors that led to the creation of the CEW Under an Order of Selection since 2001 Serving only Most Significantly Disabled with an average wait time of 25 weeks No Queue for You (No. Q 4 U) - project launched in Fall 2008 to eliminate waiting list and move out of Order of Selection Examined DVR services from entrance to exit 4

Factors that led to the creation of the CEW “Plan Development” was a core component of the wait list project Found that more comprehensive vocational counseling was needed in employment planning CEW was developed and implemented statewide as a result 5

Development of the TCEW Workgroup of No. Q 4 U focused on services to youth in transition After piloting, team recognized that the general CEW curriculum needed adaptation to best assist high school students and young adults TCEW development team included: Transition VRCs; a special educator; youth and young adults in transition; DVR management and staff who created the general CEW curriculum

TCEW Roll-Out • Training provided over three days for all Transition VR Counselors, interested school personnel, and a targeted school-based Ameri. Corps project • Transition VRCs were encouraged to present the curriculum to school staff and partners • Curriculum made available electronically via website 7

TCEW in Action ◦ Co-taught (VRC & high school teacher) course in public and special purpose private schools ◦ Offered as an after-school activity ◦ Offered in collaboration with adult education ◦ Taught as a mini-course over school breaks ◦ Co-facilitated by trained student leader ◦ TCEW module offered as a workshop session at postsecondary resource fair

Transition Career Exploration Workshop A new curriculum designed to help students discover employment possibilities in an interactive team environment TCEW is offered in modules that make it flexible for delivery in schools, adult ed, community organizations or other settings TCEW includes numerous assessments that can support transition planning TCEW is available for use independently or in conjunction with VR 9

A Closer Look at the TCEW The TCEW is available online in easy to use modules Topics include: Career Decision Making Learning Styles Strengths & Aptitudes Disability Disclosure Employer Expectations Developing an Employment Plan

A Closer Look at the TCEW Assessments ◦ Employment Readiness Scale ◦ World of Work Inventory Also: ◦ Barsch Learning Style Inventory ◦ Self-Management Checklist ◦ Transferrable Skills Checklist ◦ Games and activities that promote soft skills and serve as informal assessments

A Closer Look at the TCEW http: //www. maine. gov/rehab/73422/maine_cew/cew _transition/index. html 18 modules (35 sessions total) Sessions are estimated at 45 minutes which can vary depending on group size, skill level and needs of participants.

The Early Data What we are learning

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Partnership with the Maine Department of Education Memorandum of Understanding ◦ Promotes better coordination of the process of student transition ◦ Focuses on outreach and communication, personnel development, information and referral, service provision   State Personnel Development Grant ◦ Transition one of five targeted goals ◦ Focus on collaborative training ◦ TCEW included as a strategy to improve compliance

Collaboration & Challenges Increased collaboration with Maine Dept. of Ed Increased partnership and engagement with schools New tool to engage youth But… Challenges with systemic roll-out Challenges with comprehensive data collection

Next Steps – Collaboration & Challenges Strengthen evaluation and data collection Continue to increase use of TCEW to inform transition planning Management of TCEW use by partner agencies

BRIDGE CEW – Pathway to Employment A “hot off the press” Career Exploration Workshop version Designed to assist individuals with intellectual disabilities, low literacy, ESL Uses pictorial assessments Designed to be used in pre-vocational settings

Want to Learn More About the Career Exploration Workshop Series? Visit the link below for full access to the entire Career Exploration Workshop series curricula Career Exploration Workshop Transition Career Exploration Workshop Bridge – Pathways to Employment http: //www. maine. gov/rehab/73422/maine_cew/

Presenter Contact Information Betsy Hopkins, Director Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 150 State House Station Augusta, Maine 04333 -0150 E-mail: Elizabeth. Hopkins@Maine. gov Tel: 207 -623 -6745 Fax: 207 -287 -5292 Libby Stone-Sterling, Assistant Director Division of Vocational Rehabilitation 150 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 -0150 (207)623 -7943 (v) 1 -888 -755 -0023 (TTY) Libby. stone-sterling@maine. gov Karen D. Fraser, Director Systems Improvement and Quality Assurance Maine Dept. of Labor Bureau of Rehabilitation Services 150 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 -0150 Tel. (207) 623 -7961 E-mail: Karen. D. Fraser@maine. gov Maine Department of Labor provides Equal Opportunity in employment and programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request