What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?
Helping students with special needs transition from school to careers

by Peggy Himsl, JVS Associate director of Rehabilitation Services

"These young people are wonderful, talented and able to give so much to this world. They just need some help today finding their special niche and acquiring the life skills necessary to succeed." This is the request of the mother of an 18 year old son with developmental disabilities. The transition from school to careers is difficult for many young people, but for teenagers with special needs and their parents the transition can be an extremely challenging process. Adolescents with disabilities require specialized supports when assessing their interests, skills and abilities as they develop a plan with their parents and school transition team to prepare for and enter the world of work.

The JVS School-to-Careers Transition Program is designed to fill a gap in services for young people with disabilities ages 14 to 21 as they contemplate life after high school. The cornerstone of this program is a formal Vocational Evaluation that is conducted by highly skilled JVS evaluators on-site at the student’s school. The evaluation is tailored to the individual needs of each student. Each evaluation results in a comprehensive written report that includes specific recommendations that can be utilized to refine certain aspects of the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and help formulate a seamless transition to post-secondary education, skills training and future employment. Parents should be aware that their children with special needs are entitled to vocational evaluation and other vocationally related services as part of their federally mandated transition plans and that many school systems will cover the cost of the JVS evaluation and other services.

Teenagers with disabilities want to get part time and summer jobs just like their peers. “What I would really like to do is apply for a job working at a local veterinary hospital that is down the road from me that I can walk to,” said a 17 year old teen diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder who participated in the pilot year of JVS’ Career Camp during the summer of 2009. Career Camp is an innovative program that provides students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders with the opportunity to engage in vocational activities designed to simulate job tasks and give hands-on experience developing a variety of different work skills. Classroom instruction is interactive and includes resume writing, completion of job applications, and practicing interview skills. Program participants take field trips to learn about the range of jobs available in the community. Career Camp 2010 will run from August 16th to August 27th.

Other JVS programs designed to assist teens with disabilities make the transition to the world of work include: Community Based Assessment where teens can sample a variety of jobs with the support of a JVS job coach; Work Adjustment Training where they learn to develop appropriate work behaviors while participating in a remunerative employment experience in the JVS Rehabilitation Center; Skills Training Courses in Microsoft office and customer service; and Specialized Employment Services, including customized job development and job placement services, job coaching and supported employment.

JVS has provided transition services to more than 435 students in 129 different high schools throughout New Jersey. As Virginia Chiller, Wayne District Transition Coordinator comments, “The evaluators are professional and put the students at ease…reports are chock full of valuable information you just can’t get from the classroom or child study team testing…JVS staff are accommodating and prompt to get the job done!”

For more information about transition services for students with special needs, contact: Lauren A. Klein, JVS Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services, at (973) 674-6330 x237 or Lklein@jvsnj.org.

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