Transition Services

Description


Transition from school to employment can be scary and very exciting. Your final years in high school are an important time to start planning and thinking about future employment possibilities, post-school education, and connections with Spokane County employment agencies.

School To Work


Students who have jobs when they graduate are more prepared for adult life than those who don't. School To Work and Job Foundation is a collaboration between the Developmental Disabilities Division of Spokane County, your school, and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to help students with developmental disabilities, in their second to last and last year of school, find jobs before they graduate.

Access a brochure that more fully explains School To Work and a side-by-side comparison of School To Work and Job Foundation. Also linked is the School To Work and Jobs Foundation application and the consent forms, which must be completed together and returned to the address at the bottom of the application.

School To Work Resources


  1. 2021 School To Work brochure
  2. School To Work Consent Form (PDF)
  3. School To Work DVR Consent Form (PDF)
  4. School To Work Application (PDF)
  5. Side by Side Comparison of School to Work and Job Foundation
  6. Job Foundation Consent Form
  7. Job Foundation Consent Form DVR
  8. Job Foundation Application


Did You Know?


Transition should be addressed in the students Individual Education Plan (IEP) by their 16th birthday or earlier, if appropriate.

It is important that students check their eligibility status of your Social Security Income (SSI) the month of your 18th birthday. Students will need to check their SSI eligibility status regardless of being previously denied or receiving benefits prior to age 18.

The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) offers short-term employment supports before the age of 21. Short-term services are also available after age 21.

Long Term Employment


Long-term employment supports may be available through DSHS, Region 1, Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)/Spokane County Community Services, Housing, and Community Development Department when you are age 21 and exited from school. Spokane County can assist you in navigating a complex system. Some of the ways in which we can assist you for a smooth transition are:
  • Attending Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings
  • Discussing future goals
  • Explaining what each agency can offer in the areas of Employment
  • Discussing other resources, e.g., Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
Spokane County Community Services, Housing, and Community Development Department offers Resource Fairs to give students the opportunity to meet each qualified agency that provides employment services. On page 12 of the Participant Guide (PDF) are questions to ask an agency while deciding who to hire for employment supports.