Transistion Services
Greg Hill - Transition Specialist
ghill@nsseo.org; 847-485-2291
Nancy D'Andrea- Transition Specialist
ndandrea@nsseo.org; 847-485-2292
500 S. Plum Grove Road
Palatine, Il 60067
847-485-2290 Voice
847-485-2295 Fax
NSSEO's Transition Specialist Program is a state and local-funded program, which provides a variety of vocationally related services to students in order to help facilitate a smooth transition from high school to young adulthood. These services are provided through a cooperative partnership between the school district and the Division of Rehabilitation Services.
Division Of Rehabilitation Services
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is a state vocational rehabilitation agency whose primary purpose is to help individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain community-based employment. Most students who receive special education services qualify for DRS services. If you are eligible, the DRS Vocational Program can provide services; such as:
· Vocational Guidance And Counseling
· Secondary Transitional Experience Program
· Job Search And Placement Services
· Supported Employment Programs (SEP)
· On-The-Job Evaluations
· Information / Referrals To Other Agencies
· Benefits Information And Advisement For SSI / SSDI, Medicaid
· Vocational Assessments
· Personal Care Assistants
Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP)
STEP is a DRS funded program designed for youth in high school from ages 16 to 21, who have disabilities and are receiving special education services or 504 accommodations. The purpose of STEP is to assist the student in becoming prepared for the world of work by providing vocational experiences and skill training while he or she is still in high school. Once the student graduates, follow-up is continued. If the student has been accepted and is going to college, then his/her case will be transferred to our local Arlington Heights office for college planning and monitoring.
If the student is seeking job placement assistance, the Transition Specialist (DRS Counselor) will continue to work with the student. We fund local vocational agencies to provide job placement services. These agencies assign an employment specialist to that graduate to provide job development. Once the person is placed on a job, the job coach can provide monitoring, instruction, and follow-up. There are different levels of support available in either Direct Placement or Supported Employment depending on the needs of that person. Once the person is stable in their work situation and has been working a minimum of 90 days, the DRS case can be closed. If that graduate needs additional DRS services, the case can be reopened and services can be provided through the local DRS office.
Role Of The DRS Counselor
The DRS Counselor or Transition Specialist has several roles within the STEP program as follows:
- Primary role is to determine student potential to benefit from services, and to enroll the student in DRS. This is accomplished by the Transition Specialist participating in Annual Review Meetings and/or discussing the student's needs with school staff.
- The DRS counselor is the key player in providing information and educating students, families, and even school staff on postsecondary options for special education students. Because we deal with a wide range of disabilities, a significant part of our job involves knowledge of community resources.
- We discuss realistic options for students leaving school. Adult service programs and agencies operate quite differently than primary/secondary schools. Often the DRS counselor is the voice of reality to the student and to parents about disability and its implications for the world of work or college. This is a challenging role since it can put us in conflict with students, families and sometimes the school.
- Assume a case management role for coordinating with other agencies or benefits. This continues to be an important role especially with the student with more severe disabilities. Important information is provided regarding such critical postsecondary issues as:
- Social Security (SSI) Medicaid
- Guardianship
- Residential
- Special Needs Trusts
- Health Insurance
