The Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is a statewide resource that students may be able to access to support their pursuit of employment and education. DVR assists people who seek meaningful, secure employment but whose disabilities may result in one or more barriers to achieving an employment goal.

DVR Services

The DVR Guide to Services is a resource for students and families to better understand what DVR offers and how to access those services. These include:

Counseling and guidance
Assessment services
Benefit planning
Independent living services
Assistive technology services
Training and education
Job-related services
DVR’s WorkStrides Career Development Workshop

(What services are available to me? Washington State DSHS)

Connecting Students with DVR

Each public high school in the state has a DVR Counselor liaison designated to:

Answer questions about DVR services
Discuss applying for DVR services
Request the VR Counselor participate in IEP meetings
Answer other questions related to the transition from high school to work or postsecondary education

Visit the DVR website to Find a School Transition Counselor for your school.

DVR Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

The program that is most accessible to high school students is the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). It is available to students that are or maybe eligible for DVR services. It does not require that they become a DVR client prior to receiving these services. Students and families must sign a permission slip to participate in Pre-ETS activities, which include:

Job exploration counseling
Work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities, or experience outside the traditional school setting (including internships), that are provided in an integrated environment in the community to the maximum extent possible
Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary education programs at institutions of higher education
Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living

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

Qualifications

Students are eligible for Pre-ETS if they:

are in an educational program; and
meet age requirements; and
are eligible for and receiving special education or related services under IDEA; or
are an individual with a disability for purposes of section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Not only do students who qualify for an IEP meet the requirements of Pre-ETS, but it is also important to engage the students who qualify for a 504 plan in these activities.

Examples of Services
Pre-ETS Activity	Purpose	Sample Services
Workplace Readiness	To prepare students for entering the world of work and living independently	Soft skills training Time management Financial literacy Mock interviews Resume building Accessing services/supports
Work-Based Learning	To try out jobs or gain work experience prior to graduation	Job shadowing Workplace tours Informational interviews Paid internships

Services in Group and Individual Settings
Group Settings	Individual Settings
Group tours of schools and vocational training programs Workshops provided by DVR Transition Consultants Group tours of employer or business sites to learn about career opportunities Group sessions for social skill development	Conducting informational interviews Support applying for the FAFSA or accessing Disability Support Services Short term work-based learning opportunities Completion of interest inventories Individual job shadowing opportunities

Who to Contact

There are nine regional Transition Consultants in Washington state, organized by DVR regions. Their names, ESDs they cover, and contact information can be found on the DVR website under Regional Transition Consultants Contact Information.

Next: Collaboration with Parent Groups