The New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education has entered into an interagency agreement with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to facilitate and coordinate services needed for students with disabilities to experience a seamless transition from school to employment or post-secondary activities leading to employment, according to an NJDOE advisory. Such services include pre-employment transition services and vocational rehabilitation services.
Pre-Employment Transition Services
Pre-employment transition services can be provided to New Jersey students with disabilities who are aged 14 through 21 and are attending any educational program, including home schooling and:
- Have an individualized education program.
- Are an individual with a disability for purposes of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The following five pre-employment transition services are offered to all students with disabilities:
- Job exploration counseling.
- Counseling on enrollment opportunities in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education.
- Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living skills.
The students with disabilities described above are considered “potentially eligible” for vocational rehabilitation services and therefore do not need to apply for or be determined eligible for such services to receive needed pre-employment transition services. To access pre-employment transition services from DVRS for a student with disabilities, anyone can complete the student referral form. If the student is under the age of 18, a parent/guardian signature is needed on this referral form. To request pre-employment transition services for a student who is blind, deaf-blind, or visually impaired, the student’s case manager should contact the CBVI teacher or regional CBVI office.
The pre-employment transition services that are provided by DVRS or CBVI to a student should be coordinated with any other transition services, including those provided by the school district. Since pre-employment transition services are intended to enhance the transition services in a student’s IEP, school staff must collaborate with representatives of DVRS and CBVI to ensure that the provision of pre-employment transition services is complementary to the transition services being provided to each student aged 14 through 21 with an IEP.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
If at any time students with disabilities need other “traditional” VR services such as supported employment, job coaching, or vehicle modifications, they should begin the application process with DVRS by completing the online referral form. Students who are blind, deaf-blind, or visually impaired can apply through a regional CBVI office. If a student is already receiving pre-employment transition services from CBVI, an application for eligibility can be requested through the student’s CBVI transition counselor. If students are determined eligible for “traditional” vocational rehabilitation services from DVRS or CBVI, they can receive these services while still in school and as needed after graduation.
School staff, students, and parents are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the pre-employment transition services and other VR services that are available from DVRS and CBVI, so that students with disabilities are better prepared for their desired post-secondary goals for training, education and employment.
For information and resources regarding transition planning for students with disabilities, please refer to the New Jersey Transition Toolkit. Please direct questions to the Office of Special Education at 609-376-9060 or via email.
