Pre-Employment Transition Services

WIOA 

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and now requires vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to set aside at least 15% of their federal funds to provide pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) to students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services.

A student with a disability is eligible for Pre-ETS if he or she is in a secondary, postsecondary, or other recognized education program and

  1. Is not younger than the earliest age for the provision of transition services under section 614(d)(1)(A)(i)(VIII) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(VIII) unless the state elects a lower minimum age for receipt of pre-employment services and is not younger than that minimum age; and
  2. Is not older than 21; unless the individual state law provides for a higher maximum age for receipt of services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); and is not older than that maximum age; and
  3. Is eligible for, and receiving, special education or related services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.); or
  4. Is an individual with a disability, for purposes of section 504

What are the required Pre-Employment Transition Services?

Click each item below to view details:

Job exploration counseling

Work-based learning experiences, which may include in-school or after school opportunities, experiences outside of the traditional school setting, and/or internships

Counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs

Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living

Instruction in self-advocacy