Interagency Collaboration Toward Improved Student

Outcomes

Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation ServicesRichard Yahola and Robert Eames

Working together to achieve a goal (Wikipedia)

Collaboration

An arrangement where parties agree to cooperate to advance their mutual interests (Wikipedia)

Partnership

What is it?◦Educated, well-behaved, socially adjusted, good citizen, graduated!!!

How is it measured?◦Grades, test scores, observation

Is it changing over time?◦What was it when we were in school?◦What does it look like now?

Student Success

Obtaining a positive employment outcome◦Working in the community◦Working in an integrated setting

◦Earning minimum wage or higher

◦Working independently

How does DRS/RSA Define Success?

We ask the question, “who aren’t we working with to help youth with disabilities prepare for careers?”

What do we do to affect success?

School Work Study (SWS)◦Paid work experience within school or in community

while earning high school credit Work Adjustment Training (WAT)

◦Work readiness training including soft skills and employability skills and earning high school credit

Project SEARCH™◦Total immersion in the workplace unpaid internship for

a school year (high school and young adult) Brighter Futures In Transition (BFIT)

◦Summer training program including one week of in-house soft/employability skills and 8 weeks of paid work experience in the community (high school)

Oklahoma DRS Services

Job Club/Job Readiness Training◦ Training conducted in high school classes or outside of

school day focusing on preparation for employment (job search, interview techniques, how to dress, keeping a job)

Foster Youth Outreach Event◦ Annual event targeting youth in foster care to connect

them with DRS and other resources; includes employment related breakout sessions, vendor scavenger hunts, motivational speakers, etc.

5th Year Program at OK School for the Blind◦ Program to better prepare high school students for college

and employment; includes paid work experiences, job shadowing, visiting colleges, job readiness training, etc.

Oklahoma DRS Services

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Pilot◦Targeting students with Asperger Syndrome◦Partner with Goodwill Industries of Tulsa◦Contract with occupational therapist for

technical assistance, training, behavior management, etc.

◦Use of technology (i.e., Smart board, iPod touch, video modeling)

◦Specialized curriculum and assessments◦Small group employment preparation

Oklahoma DRS Services

Strengthening Custody Youth Pilot at Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC)◦Partnership between DRS, Office of Juvenile

Affairs (OJA), and Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) to identify gaps in services, provide earlier connection to DRS and other services, and help with the transition back into home communities.

◦Part of a pilot project directed by the board of the OCCY.

Oklahoma DRS Services

Who benefits from this partnership between DRS, OJA, and OCCY?

COJC Pilot Program

Picture of crowd on streets near marina

OCCY provides guidance, oversight, and self-study team to COJC.

DRS provides a full-time VR counselor at COJC.◦ Vocational Evaluations◦ Counseling and Guidance◦ Job Readiness Training◦ Connection to counselor in home town◦ Liaison with other service providers and educators◦ Technical assistance and recommendations to other

facilities statewide◦ Paid work experiences through CareerTech

OJA provides office space to DRS counselor

COJC Pilot Program

Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center

Photo of COJC facility

COJC has its own high school on premises. Instructors are from local LEA.

OJA has an Education Coordinator who works with the school and DRS to ensure referrals are made.

Armed Forces Day held at COJC. Partner with Oklahoma Healthy Transitions

Initiative for post-release after care with Wraparound Services.

Partner with Tribal re-entry programs. Partner with COJC Volunteer Services to help

with relationships in the community.

COJC Pilot Program

DRS counselor initiates and implements field office meetings to connect local DRS and OJA staff.

Possibility of expansion of pilot◦ Partner with Southwest Oklahoma Juvenile Center,

Lions Club Boys Ranch, and Oklahoma Boys Ranch◦ Facilitate more interaction of OJA custody youth at

CareerTech◦ Facilitate community employment for “community”

level youth◦ Share information about Systems of Care Wraparound

Services with OJA

COJC Pilot Program

Map of OJA/JSU Units across the state

Problems Youth in Custody Face◦ As early as 1921, only 5% of youth are performing

at or above average on school testing (Doll, 1921).◦ In 1984, Meltzer and associates found that

delinquent youth had lower academic skills that same-aged non-custody youth.

◦ There is a correlation between low academic achievement and high rates of re-offending and recidivism (Archwamety and Katsiyannis, 2000).

◦ A 1995 study by Kessler showed that the top psychiatric determinant for dropping out (after disabilities) was Male Conduct Disorder and Female Anxiety Disorder.

COJC Pilot Program

Social Security Administration (SSA) comparison brochure◦Easy to understand comparison brochure

Oklahoma DRS Resources

Snapshot of the brochure

Transition Planning Folder◦ Planning folder to

help families begin connecting with resources as early as elementary

Oklahoma DRS Resources

Snapshot of the folder

Transition Care Notebook◦ Due to be

completed in May 2012; electronic tool to help families and youth begin preparing for further education and employment; helps organize and keep important information

Oklahoma DRS Resources

Snapshot of the notebook

IEP Goals Bank for DRS Services◦ Resource for DRS counselors and schools to

improve annual IEP goals (due out Spring 2012)

Oklahoma DRS Resources

No specific service Employment Student will arrive on time 100% of the time for all scheduled DRS appointments as documented by the DRS counselor.

Work Adjustment Training

Employment After receiving verbal instructions, student will demonstrate mature/safe work behavior 100% of the time as observed by coworkers and supervisor.

Work Adjustment Training

Employment While on a work site, student will follow work rules and use breaks appropriately 100% of the time as observed by supervisor.

School Work Study Employment While on a work site, student will follow workplace policies and procedures by taking appropriate breaks, using appropriate/acceptable language/communication, and staying in designated areas 100% of scheduled work days.

Tech-Now—Milestone 2

Employment Education/Trainin

g

While participating in Tech-Now direct instruction, student will demonstrate proficiency in computer file conversions with 100% accuracy as observed by instructor.

DRS Service 

IEP Goal Area Goal

The power of one. It starts with you!

Who do you know that can share the transition vision?

Magnetic attraction. Your transition vision.

Where to Start?

Traditionally rehabilitation has not sought out partnerships.

But, in the face of overwhelming transitional challenges it could be a good idea.

“For the good of our children” often brings out the best in others.

Joining Forces

There are a number of agencies dedicated to high school youth and young adults.

Building a bridge to the futureSustaining those partnerships through common ground and common goals.

Joining Forces (cont.)

Who isn’t at your tableReflection

Picture of woman thinking, question mark, table, and man with Groucho Marx mask thinking

Richard Yahola, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist◦(580) 235-7872◦ryahola@okdrs.gov

Robert Eames, Programs Manager◦(918) 508-2600◦reames@okdrs.gov

Kimberly Osmani, Transition Coordinator◦(405) 635-2768◦kosmani@okdrs.gov

Contact Information