PA Secondary Transition: Connecting for Employment

By law, Pennsylvania is an “Employment First” State (Act 36 of 2018). Employment First means that Competitive, integrated employment is the first consideration and preferred outcome of publicly funded education, employment, and related services, and long-term-supports and services for working-age Pennsylvanians with a disability. The goal of PA Secondary Transition: Connecting for Employment is to ensure a seamless human services delivery system that can be effortlessly entered end navigated by individuals with disabilities and their families, should they choose to seek formal supports and maintain competitive integrated employment.

post-secondary goals

Pennsylvania Secondary Transition Roadmap

The Roadmap illustrates how the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) systems can work together to ensure the best outcomes for students. The purpose of this tool is to introduce OVR and ODP services and indicate when to invite them into the employment journey.

The Connecting for Employment Roadmap

Connecting for Employment Video Series

Welcome to the Pennsylvania Secondary Transition “Connecting for Employment” training series. The goal of this five-part series is to help educators and community agency personnel learn about each other’s respective roles in secondary transition planning and how working together can lead to lifelong success for students with disabilities.

Connecting for Employment Training Series, Chapter One: Introduction

Connecting for Employment Training Series, Chapter Two: Education 101

Connecting for Employment Training Series, Chapter Three: OVR 101

Connecting for Employment Training Series, Chapter Four: ODP 101

Connecting for Employment Training Series, Chapter Five: Pulling it all Together

Employment First for Individuals with Disabilities

Employment First is an initiative dedicated to ensuring that individuals with disabilities, their families, their support teams, and service providers have the resources and information they need to be successful.

Pennsylvania aims to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Act 36 of 2018 or the Employment First Act will provide training, education, and support services to help individuals reach their personal goals.

Employment First requires any group receiving public funding to ensure that employment is the main focus for education, training, or support services for anyone with a disability who is eligible to work

To access additional resources to support Employment First, visit the Department of Labor and Industry Website.

PA Youth Audience

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