Congrats, Voc Rehab Class of 2017!
Graduation season is here, which means young people throughout the state will make that life-changing transition from student to employee. This momentous milestone can be intimidating, especially for individuals with disabilities. The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) Transition School to Work (TSW) program is designed to prepare students with disabilities for employment.
DERS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselors collaborate with school social workers to ensure multiple avenues of support are available to each student participating in TSW.
“It’s important that a support system is identified early on to maximize each student’s success after graduation,” said DERS Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) counselor, Cortney Tipton. “Taking the time to plan now helps ensure a smoother transition for life after graduation and gives students confidence and hope for their future.”
Students in the TSW program work with their VR counselors to explore employment and post-secondary education opportunities, to obtain work-based learning experiences and workplace readiness training, and to develop social and independent living skills.
This month, 58 TSW participants from seven local high schools proudly received their high school diplomas and confidently moved into employment or post-secondary education. Here are a few of their stories.
Litzy Ramos, McClintock High School
- What did you like best about being in the TSW program? It has been supportive and helpful. It was most helpful when they [VR counselor] assigned me a reading tutor and provided me with a computer program to help me learn.
- What are your career goals? I am currently working as a server, but my goal is to eventually get a job as a veterinary tech. I love animals!
- What advice would you give to freshman who are considering utilizing the services of the TSW program? I would recommend the program and tell them not to be afraid to ask for help. You need to work hard in the program and meet your counselor halfway. You cannot expect your counselor to do the work for you.
Johnny Adams, Desert Vista High School
- What did you like best about being in the TSW program? It was great! It helped me to find a clear direction of where I want to go in life. I didn’t know what my career choices were until working with VR. I really appreciated all of the one-on-one time that they spent with me.
- What are your career goals? I want to do social work because I have realized that I really like helping people. I am planning to intern over the summer.
- What advice would you give to freshman who are considering utilizing the services of the TSW program? I would recommend VR because it will teach you independence. VR doesn’t do all of the work for you; you have to put in the work, too. The program works best when you and your counselor work together.
Brandon Metcalf, Marcos de Niza High School
- What did you like best about being in the TSW program? My experience has been very eye-opening. I was orphaned at 14, and this program not only helped me to learn how I should act in the real world, but also how to deal with the real world. I am so grateful for my counselor, Cortney. She holds me accountable. I learned a lot from doing the mock job interviews.
- What are your career goals? I am planning to go to MCC (Mesa Community College) to study social work.
- What advice would you give to freshman who are considering utilizing the services of the TSW program? I would recommend the program and tell freshman not to be afraid to show themselves. I used to be afraid to show who I really was, but I learned that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Additional information about the TSW VR program can be found by watching the Vocational Rehabilitation Transition video, or by visiting our Vocational Rehabilitation webpage.