Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

(D) procedures for outreach to and identification of students with disabilities who need transition services.

• DORS will facilitate activities to bring state-of-the-art transitioning services to Maryland’s students and families, including the following Pre-Employment Transition Services as outlined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act:  job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or post-secondary educational programs, workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living, and instruction in self-advocacy.
• DORS will continue to explore, develop and expand new initiatives and methodologies that promote the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services and successful post-school outcomes, including the following: employment, post-secondary education and training, community participation, independent living, and healthy lifestyles. The initiatives will be accomplished through a variety of cooperative agreements, cooperative funding agreements, special grants, joint training of DORS staff and school districts/SEA whenever possible, outreach to partners with access to students with disabilities, or other innovative means.
• DORS will work with local businesses and agencies as needed to expand opportunities for internships, mentoring, and summer employment experiences as a way to prepare students for viable careers.
• DORS will identify opportunities to provide information and outreach materials for transitioning students and their families.