Transition Services

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

You are getting very close to leaving high school. You need to learn all you can about having a job and finding a career. This, of course, is really important if you want to live more independently, travel, buy things, pay your bills, save for a car, or do anything else you want. To live independently you have to have money and money comes from working. DVR’s Transition Services can help put you on the right path for a successful future.

Photos of students and high school aged-children

The Delaware Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) office offers Transition services to students with disabilities, often with Individualized educational plans (IEP) or 504 plans. DVR’s role is to assist students with disabilities in the journey of identifying career pathways and life opportunities. DVR’s trained and qualified vocational counselors are available to provide tools and guide in the decision making process leading toward the path of a successful future and independence.

DVR Transition services are available for students with disabilities in Delaware’s schools. The program is available in all public high schools. Services are also available in charter, alternative, religious and institutional schools. Each district office has dedicated staff to schools with the focus on transitions services. The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are highly integrated with the schools assisting students transitioning from high schools to adult life. Transition services can include vocational guidance, exploratory interest and skills assessments, education, training, achievement of certifications, referral of community resources, and employment services. The core goals of transition services are to:

Increase graduation rate.

Explore and identify career pathways that align with labor market trends.

Obtain and maintain employment in integrated environments.

Assist with tools and resources that lead to gain independence.

Student Enrichment at the Delaware Technical Community College (DTCC)

Student Enrichment is a program for students with disabilities who are beginning their first year of college. DVR and DTCC have joined to provide educational supports for transition students enrolled in remedial programs at each of DTCC’s four campuses. The purpose of the program is to increase community college attendance and success for students who start their college experience in remedial courses. Participation in the program is intended to assist recent Delaware high school graduates, usually 18 years old. The student must be working with a DVR Transition Counselor and have had an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or other accommodations while in high school. Student Enrichment assists in achieving:

Movement to the next level of courses
Advancement to regular college coursework
Enrollment in a certificate program
Entry into a skills training program
Developing study and organizational skills
Employment consistent with an area of interest

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) signed in 2014, created Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Pre-ETS is available to students with disabilities of ages 14-22. It offers an early start at career exploration and preparation for adult life. DVR works with students and their families, along with schools and community partners to support students with gaining knowledge. In addition, students engage in pre-employment experiences help them to make informed decisions about their future career pathways.

Project SEARCH

The Project SEARCH Transition-to-Work Program is a unique, business-led, one-year employment preparation program that takes place entirely at the workplace. Total workplace immersion facilitates a seamless combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development. Read more about Project SEARCH.