Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) is a nationwide program helping eligible adults 18+ with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. The process involves typically working with a Rehabilitation Counselor to determine options for the person seeking employment by identifying interests and strengths, examining areas of need and disability, and looking at options for employment.
What's our experience here? As a school admin, I remember listening to a guest speaker who works to place people with a variety of strengths and challenges into meaningful jobs that fit their interests and choices. The speaker shared her passion for seeing young adults who thought they could never get a job or thought they'd never find a job they enjoyed, find a position in their community that earned a living, provided structure and support, and allowed them to think about next steps in their life. I remember one of our brightest students asking, So, just because I'm on the Autism Spectrum, I can get someone back in California to help me find a job? Her answer was a strong YES! This was a student who was bound for college, with a high IQ, and eager to live independently. He was surprised that Voc Rehab was open to kids like him transitioning to adulthood, even while attending college. Her response opened my eyes in terms of how welcoming Voc Rehab is to any disability. On a personal note, a friend in the Midwest has used Voc Rehab after some mental health challenges, and this program (combined with county and state services) has helped my friend get back on their feet, providing meaningful employment combined with mental health resources.
Utah Voc Rehab Link: https://jobs.utah.gov/usor/
Utah Voc Rehab Contact: 801-526-9675 dwscontactus@utah.gov
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) provides a path towards finding employment options for those with a disability and ages 14-21. It is for students enrolled in high-school or a postsecondary educational program in Utah. This organization under the Department of Workforce Services offers: Career Exploration Counseling, Workplace Readiness Training, Counseling on Postsecondary Education, Self-Advocacy, and Work-Based Learning support. They contract with providers all over the state of UT, with more providers located in urban centers and fewer in rural settings (which is typical but doesn't necessarily limit your options). https://jobs.utah.gov/usor/vr/services/student/preemploy.html
These organizations contract with Pre-ETS in UT:
Ability 1st Utah
Columbus Community Center
Community Options
Duchesne School District
Easter Seals
Logistic Specialties, Inc
RRCI (formerly Red Rock Center for Independence)
Roads to Independence
Southern Utah University
Utah Independent Living Center