School to Work
The School to Work Program helps eligible students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to find employment before exiting school. The program connects students with developmental disabilities to employment services while students are still in their high school transition programs.
Employment is an important step when looking beyond school and building a good life.
The School to Work (S2W) program is built on the values of community inclusion, membership, and contribution. It is about having real employment regardless of the level of support students need. Large and small businesses across Asotin-Garfield County employ supported employees who meet or exceed their employer’s expectations every day. School to Work has the motto “Jobs by June”, which means the goal is that all students obtain paid employment prior to exiting their high school transition programs.. And whether this goal is achieved by June or if students are still seeking employment, services and supports can continue seamlessly beyond school and into adulthood. Students remain connected to adult services and are well positioned for funding as it is available. The S2W program is unique in offering full employment services to students: from preparing for work, to seeking, obtaining, and keeping employment. These services, called supported employment and customized employment, are added or tailored support the student needs to get and keep a job in the community, at minimum wage or higher. Employment services are delivered in phases by a student’s Employment Consultant or Job Coach from an Employment Service Agency. They start with an assessment to learn student interests, what they are good at, and the support they need to be successful. Students may practice job tasks, interview skills, and build a resume during this time. Assessment helps students figure out their employment goal, and the goal guides their Employment Consultant to seek and develop a job that is a good match. Then the big day comes: the student is offered and accepts a job! The Employment Consultant or Job Coach works with the employer providing extra on-the-job training to help the student fully learn the tasks and what is expected. As the student becomes more independent in fulfilling the obligations of the position, the support is tailored to just the amount of ongoing job coaching needed from the agency, and support needed from the employer, for the student to be successful and grow.
Students must be enrolled in the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) before S2W services can start. DDA funds long-term employment services that continue after S2W and also an array of other services. If your student is not currently enrolled in DDA, this is your next step to apply right now. Students must be able to secure long-term funding for ongoing job support after leaving school. For most, this is through obtaining disability-based Medicaid, and the most common way is to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) at age 18. DDA funds employment and many other services using Medicaid programs based on disability. Not only does SSI provide a cash benefit, it also comes with disability-based Medicaid. This is another checkbox that can take a long time: apply at age 18 or start right way if your student is older. If you are unsure or don’t think you’ll qualify and want to participate in S2W or seek employment, just apply to S2W and we’ll help you explore your options! Students must enroll with DVR to participate in S2W.
Every student gets a DVR Counselor who works with your student’s team and they can explore additional support your student may need to be successfully employed, including Social Security Benefits planning. Students have valid identification to work. Businesses are required to verify that employees are authorized to work. Most students use a Social Security Card and Washington State ID to meet this requirement. There is also other documentation that may be used such as a permanent resident card or certain passports. Types of acceptable documentation can be found online by searching “I-9 Requirements”.
Please email Asotin-Garfield Developmental Disabilities coordinator for additional information.