November 2024
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Image of DRS Transition masthead with multicolor paint splatters and the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services logo.
YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS
Image of logo, Work Adjustment Training
Does Your School Participate in Work Adjustment Training?
The Transition Work Adjustment Training (WAT) program is designed to prepare high school-aged youth with the most "significant" disabilities and barriers to employment by developing essential work habits, attitudes and personal and social adjustment skills.
WAT helps youth develop skills by:
- Providing youth with jobs through school/community contracts.
- Teaching youth how to build a strong foundation in job skills.
- Preparing youth for competitive, integrated employment after high school.
- Offering real work observation and a minimum of six work experiences in the community each year.
- Teaching youth the following areas: job exploration counseling; work-based learning experiences; counseling on opportunities for enrollment in postsecondary education (i.e., college, CareerTech, trade education, professional certification, etc.); workplace readiness, including social and independent living skills, and self-advocacy, including peer mentoring.
To find out if your school offers the program, talk to the Special Education or Transition staff at your school or district. If they do not currently have the program but are interested, they can contact the DRS Counselor assigned to them.
Finding the right DRS Counselor is easy. Just visit the DRS Office Locator tool online and enter the name of your school or district.
Mark your calendar.
Stay Up-to-date with Transition
November 2024: Ready, Set, Hired! Job Fair
Image of logo, Ready, Set, Hired! Job Fair
Join the DRS Business Services team for an exciting job fair where you can connect with top Oklahoma businesses, learn new skills and enjoy door prizes throughout the day. Plus, a special surprise awaits.
The Ready, Set, Hired! Job Fair will be held in Okla. City on November 4, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City Campus.
Address: 900 N Portland Ave, Okla. City, OK 73107
For more information, contact Merlyn Romero at MRomero@okdrs.gov or Tina Joseph at TJoseph@okdrs.gov
November 2024: Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI)
Image of logo, Oklahoma Transition Institute Presents: Navigating New Horizons: A Journey of Innovation and Impact; details in paragraph below
The 2024 Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI) is coming. Mark your calendars for November 6-7, 2024. This year, OTI will be held in Oklahoma City at the Embassy Suites on NW Expressway.
Join us at 2024 Oklahoma Transition Institute for an experience filled with insightful sessions and networking opportunities.
Location address: 3233 Northwest Expy, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
For questions about OTI, please email Yolanda Scott at yolandascott@cowib.org
?? Secure your spot today!
Click here to to register as an attendee
November 2024: Toolbox Tuesday with OK STABLE
Image of Toolbox Tuesday, Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Join Toolbox Tuesday featuring RoseAnn Duplan, policy planning specialist from the Oklahoma Disability Law Center. Add more tools to your belt and Learn about OK STABLE accounts.
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Click here to register for the Toolbox Tuesday Event
Tulsa Area and Oklahoma City Area Transition Fairs
A graphic of a chalk board with Transition Fairs Calendars for the Tulsa Area and Oklahoma City Area, links to calendars below, check back often.
NEW resource! Anyone can learn about transition (resource) fairs happening in both the Greater Tulsa and the Greater Oklahoma City areas. The calendars can be accessed from a computer through the following links:
Click here for Tulsa area transition fairs
Click here for Oklahoma City area transition fairs
Meet the great and wonderful...
Student/Youth Spotlight
Serving and inspiring Oklahoma's students with disabilities is our passion; our purpose. Each month we hope to highlight a student whose story encourages others.
We have learned that one of the best ways to hear about our most amazing students is from those that spend time with them every day. So, we encourage family members, education professionals and transition professionals to tell us about students who are doing amazing things.
This month, we shine the spotlight on Cassidy, a former Work Adjustment Training (WAT) participant, who is now living an amazing and productive life. She and Kevin Randall talked about skills she learned in the WAT program, how she applies them still today, the importance of being flexible while working hard and, of course, staying positive. Here is how the conversation went.
Meet Cassidy
Image of Cassidy
What are your interests and hobbies? I enjoy dancing and writing stories as my hobbies.
What activity do you enjoy the most during the winter? I like staying warm in the winter and watching movies. I also love Christmas.
What is your preferred winter drink? I like to drink Cappuccinos in the wintertime.
If I were to provide you with $50,000 to create a positive impact in your community, how would you use it to bring about meaningful change? I would like to start a dance class for members of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma (DSACO).
Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities? In the past, I worked as a hostess at a restaurant called Pickles. I also volunteered at the DSACO event, the Buddy Walk, where I handed out water.
Could you share your experience with the _WAT_ program? In high school, I participated in the DRS service called Work Adjustment Training (WAT) at the DRTC location.
What is something you learned from the_ WAT_ program? I learned many skills during WAT at DRTC, such as hospitality, and I still use that skill at home.
What type of work are you currently doing & how long have you been employed? For the last six years, I have been working for Sooner SUCCESS as a project manager assistant/receptionist.
Can you share one challenge you've faced due to your disability and how you managed to overcome it? One challenge I face is being flexible when it comes to changes in my routine. I overcome this by advocating for myself and communicating my needs to be successful with these changes.
What advice or tips would you offer to other young people who are looking to start working after high school? Connect with DRS to start looking for a job before you graduate from high school.
What strategies do you use to maintain a positive attitude and keep your enthusiasm high, even during busy or stressful periods? I like to listen to music, dance and make people laugh. While at work, I sometimes use EarPods to cancel out distracting noises.
Can you share a situation where you've had to adapt to a new environment or learn something new? How did you approach that experience? I go with the flow of things, but if the boss asks me to do something, I do it.
How do you approach seeking and embracing new opportunities for personal growth and development? By doing my best at work. I was recognized in 2019 with the Employee of the Year award by the Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns. Mayor David Holt was there and personally presented me with the award.
What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime? My most significant goal was to connect with DRS so they could help me find a job after high school. Another goal of mine is to own a dance studio one day and I would love to be on the TV show "Dancing with the Stars.
What would you like the world to know about you? I want the world to know that I’ve watched the movie "The Outsiders" over 1,000 times. I’m a superfan, and I’ve met many of the actors in real life, including Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell), Johnny Cade (Ralph Macchio) and others. I also had the chance to meet one of the writers, S.E. Hinton. Many of "The Outsiders" cast know me because I attend events hosted by "The Outsiders." I’ve even written my own "Outsiders" story.
Is there anyone specific you'd like to give a shoutout to? The most important people in my life are my mother, my dad, my boyfriend, my work family and "The Outsiders" cast members.
Nominate a student
How to nominate a Student:
If you know a current or former student who has participated in Transition events or who has found success through Transition services, please let us know by submitting this nomination form.
Click here to nominate a student
Image of Resources, blending services for all
Transition Resources
Image of logo, Oklahoma Family Network
Oklahoma Family Network
The Oklahoma Family Network (OFN) informs and connects individuals with special health care needs and disabilities, their families, and professionals to services and support in their communities.
Their services are designed for the family of any child who has:
- Spent time in the NICU or was born premature
- Physical disabilities
- Cancer
- Rare or undiagnosed conditions
- Autism
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Down Syndrome
- Mental health diagnoses
- Behavioral health concerns
Areas of support include emotional support, resources & training, and leadership & advocacy.
To get connected with OFN, you can send them a message from their website. Link is below.
Click here to get connected with OFN
Image of logo, Roosevelt Academy
The Roosevelt Academy
The Roosevelt Academy is a private K-12 school and transition program dedicated to empowering high school students with disabilities as they transition into adulthood.
Roosevelt Academy stands out through their:
- Comprehensive Approach: We integrate life skills training, financial literacy and career exploration to equip students with practical tools for independence.
- Individualized Support: Recognizing each student's unique needs, we offer personalized transition plans, and one-on-one mentoring to build confidence and self-advocacy skills.
- Collaborative Network: We work closely with families, employers and community resources to create a holistic support system extending beyond the classroom.
- Proven Results: Our students consistently achieve not only academic success, but also develop into contributing, independent members of society.
Asking them questions is easy once you've let them know you're interested. To learn more about the Roosevelt Academy including information on their programs, clubs and tuition, you can connect with them using the link below.
Click here to connect with Roosevelt Academy
Grant Opportunities
Here are some exciting grant opportunities to be aware of:
Colibri Special Grants Program:
Grant proposals of up to $5,000 will be accepted for projects which significantly advance and influence student learning.
There are no restrictions on subject matter or area of curriculum for this grant.
Visit https://www.colibrigrants.org/special-grantrules for more information about Colibri Grants.
Adopt a Classroom Spotlight Funds Grant Program:
Spotlight Funds are a grant program for K-12 educators. Each fund supports a specific subject area, or addresses a need facing K-12 educators and students.
The Adopt A Classroom Spotlight Funds are: 1) the Arts Fund; 2) Social-Emotional Wellness Fund; 3) Inclusive Classroom Fund; 4) Racial Equity in Schools Fund; and 5) STEM Fund.
Visit https://www.adoptaclassroom.org/ for more information about Adopt a Classroom grants.
Introducing
Meet Kami
Kami is a vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor in the McAlester office. She has lived in McAlester since moving there shortly after graduating from high school. Serving youth with disabilities in that part of Oklahoma has become a true passion of hers.
She earned a Masters degree in Human Resource Counseling and is a Licensed Practicing Counselor (LPC). Kami said she learned about helping young people with disabilities reach their full potential by interacting with her niece, who has required disability-related support in her employment.
Kami believes that as a DRS client, people with disabilities can find independence and live a high quality life through sustainable employment. Because of her outlook and dedication, Kami is ensuring that students with disabilities are given ample resources and assistance that will help them reach their full potential. She is a smart, capable and professional team member that is dedicated to serving youth with disabilities. We are lucky to have her on the team.
Image of Kami R
Kami Runyon
Vocational Rehabilitation
ph. 918-302-4200
kami.runyon@okdrs.gov
What is Transition?
The Transition program provides services to prepare students with disabilities for employment and life after high school. Services may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, on-the-job training, work-study, and job development and placement. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired divisions jointly run the Transition program so the youth can easily move into adult services when it is time.
Contact Us:
Renee Sansom Briscoe
rsansom@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-951-3488
Chris Compton
ccompton@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-605-9651
Tracy Keeley
Tracy.Keeley@okdrs.gov
Phone: 918-581-2322
Kevin Randall II
krandall@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-255-9663
Image of Logo, Oklahoma Rehabilitation Services
Image of Logo, Oklahoma Works - a proud partner of the American Job Center network
Image of Empowering Oklahomans with Disabilities, with a paint brush.
We can help create the blueprint for your youth’s success
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
Transition Services
3535 NW 58th Street, Suite 500, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Website [ www.okdrs.gov] | Email Us at CCompton@okdrs.gov
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