Transition Services, Assessment Services and Employment services:
Transition Services: Transition from high school to the world of work or post-secondary education can be one of the most exciting times in a student’s and their family’s life. This process can also be anxiety provoking and frustrating especially for students with special needs. School districts often lack the resources, time and in
formation to effectively meet the needs of these students. Career and Employment Options, Inc. (CEO) is a company that was founded to meet that need. Creating and developing the foundations for building creative and effective transition programs takes experience, knowledge and skill. CEO was designed to see the big picture of what a school district needs and create programs for a “soup to nuts” approach to transition. In providing our services, we use a “Big Picture” approach and look toward the entire community in developing resources, opportunities and linkages. This approach has been recognized on both the local and state levels. As part of CEO’s creative approach to solving district needs, several years ago, CEO developed checklists and formats for Career Plans, Employability Profiles for Student, and Exit Summaries. Districts have used our format to meet the necessary documentation required for a successful transition.In addition, we have copyrighted modules measuring student progress in Career Services and Life Skills. Our Upward Options program has established an efficient and comprehensive program for preparing individual and groups of students for post-secondary education. We have developed a program we call B2B or Back to Basics, that works with disengaged students and prepares them for a renewed involvement in their high school career. We not only bring the most up to date information, we develop instruments and programs to enable districts to have metrics for the development of transition services. We provide group services for districts that enable them to utilize a cost effective program to introduce and train special education students within internship sites in their own communities, community access training, travel training and Employment Classes. The Employment Classes utilize a curriculum that provides students the fundamentals in Career Skills such as Resume/Portfolio, Interview, Job Search and Job Application skills. CEO works individually with students providing Career Skills, internships in careers they may be interested in, job placements for students (when authorized) as well as any other supports necessary for transition. The key for our transition services is that we ensure our client districts and their students meet NYSED standards for transition and legal issues are addressed. We are diligent that our districts meet the regulatory compliance and our students receive the services they need for a seamless transition. Assessment Services: Our Assessment Programs for students and adults have a mission to enable students and adults to use their assessment to map their own futures. It is an instrument for districts, students, adults and their families that provides direction and possible career options. Employment Services: With the employment rate of individuals with special needs being approximately 38%, this is a social ill that requires change not management. We need to see this social ill with the same vision of a violation of social rights and standings. To correct this requires a provider who is connected to multiple levels of employment both on corporate and local levels. It requires commitment to the job development and placement outcome. CEO makes that commitment. In 2009, CEO was awarded a contract through ACCES/VR (formally VESID) to provide job placement services. Since that time, CEO has performed job placements at a rate of 30% than other providers in our region and the state. One of the primary reasons is our connection to so many employers and communities on Long Island and the New York Metropolitan region. Many individuals prefer not to use state agencies and purchase their own services. CEO has the capacity and format to assist those individuals in developing their own supports and placement. In 2010, CEO entered into the New York City market by collaborating with a group of providers headed by Dr. Lynda Geller called Spectrum Services www.spectrumservicesnyc.com. CEO provides career and employment services to individuals on the spectrum in our private pay format and in planning for a college support and transition program with schools in NYC. CEO was founded on the premise that transition and employment services for individuals with disabilities was in need of a new vision. That vision was not limited in providing services in the traditional manner. Instead, our vision is to create an excitement in the journey to a career for the people we serve. CEO has won the New York State Rehabilitation Association statewide award for “Quality Effective Transition Services.” CEO in partnership with the Amityville School District was one of two partnerships in New York State receiving the award. Our work with the Amityville School/Business Partnership helped the Amityville School District win the Award for Best Practices from the Western Suffolk County Guidance Counselors Association 2007. These awards and special mention are the result of our commitment to the services we provide. CEO believes that by working closely with the district, the district personnel, students and their families that collaboratively we can integrate career training into a student’s education experience. CEO has transcended the roles of traditional providers and integrates services for students in general and special education.
