Employment Preparation


DE/LEA/IDB/IVRS Collaboration Frequently Asked Questions

This document from the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Iowa Department for the Blind provides basic information about programs and services provided by the agencies. It includes information about WIOA and Pre-Employment Transition Services. It also describes the collaboration that occurs to support students.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

ELSA Assessment

This assessment measures employability and life skills. There are different versions for families and transition planning professionals.

Visit the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence website

Exploring Careers: Information for Parents of Students with Disabilities

This article from the Pennsylvania Department of Education describes how parents can help with career exploration.

Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education website

FAQ on Competitive Integrated Employment

The Rehabilitation Services Administration defines Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) within vocational rehabilitation services. Frequently asked questions are addressed in this document.

Visit the Rehabilition Services Administration website

Interest Assessment

This interest assessment produces a list of careers that match up with the identified interests.

Visit the Career Onestop website

Interest Profiler

The O*NET Interest Profiler (IP) is a collection of self-assessment career exploration tools. They can help people discover the type of work activities and occupations that they would like.

Visit the O*Net website

Interview Tips

Tips for successful job interviewing to help be prepared and make a good impression are described from the Career Onestop.

Visit the Career Onestop website

Iowa Coalition for Integration and Employment YouTube Channel

The Iowa Coalition for Integration and Employment's YouTube Channel has a variety of videos that support Iowa's Employment First initiative. The content is focused on best practices in supported and integrated employment.

Visit the Iowa Coalition for Integration and Employment website

Iowa Workforce Development

Programs and services from Iowa Workforce Development are described. This includes programs and services for youth.

Visit the Iowa Workforce Development website

My Next Move

Find out about different jobs on the My Next Move website. Search using key words or browse jobs by the industry that interests you. You can also answer questions about what you like to do to get suggestions for jobs.

Visit the O*Net website

T-Folio

T-Folio is a free online transition portfolio tool for high school-age youth with disabilities. The curriculum provides lesson plans and tips to help youth build self-determination and job-readiness skills through a series of interactive exercises.

Visit the T-Folio website

The Great Debate: The Shift fro Sheltered Workshops to Competetive Integrated Employment

This document explains why the move from sheltered workshops to competitive integrated employment is important for individuals with disabilities.

Visit the Iowa Disability Benefits Network website

Ticket to Work

Find information about the Ticket to Work program. Includes frequently asked questions.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Self-Advocacy in the Workplace: Requesting Job Accommodations

This article from the Learning Disabilities Association describes how to ask for accommodations at work.

Visit the Learning Disabilties Association of America website

Iowa Intermediary Network website

The Iowa Intermediary Network provides information to connect students to career exploration opportunities through work-based learning.

Visit the Iowa Intermediary Network website

Employment Stories

Many videos describing people's employment stories are told on this webpage. Supplemental resources are also included from PACER Center.

Visit the PACER Center website

Preparing Students for Transition (IVRS Transition Brochure)

This describes what Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are and how students can get those services.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

What Are Pre- ETS?

Learn about what Pre-Employment Transition Services under WIOA can include.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

School Responsibility for Employment Preparation

This document describes the role public schools have in preparing students with IEPs for work. Responsibilities are outlined. This letter of guidance is from Iowa's Director of Special Education.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment

An updated Transition Guide by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services includes best practices.

Visit the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services website

Job Corps

A description of training programs from Iowa Job Corps.

Visit the Future Ready Iowa website

Career One Stop Website

Explore careers including average salaries and the skills required for many different types of jobs. Career videos, training options and local workforce resources are provided through the Career One Stop website.

Visit the Career Onestop website

Soft Skills to Pay the Bills

This curriculum teaches workplace readiness skills to students with disabilities. It was developed by The Office of Disability Employment Policy.

Visit the Department of Labor website

The IVRS Process

The process that a client will go through when they are accessing Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services is outlined.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Youth Work Readiness Programs - Connect 2 Careers and Youth Work Readiness

Children and Families of Iowa offers programming for youth which provide educational, career, and vocational services. Available for students in Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, Story, Warren, Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Webster and Wright counties.

Visit the Children and Families of Iowa website

Debunking the Three Biggest Myths about Disability Benefits and Work

Some common misunderstandings about disability benefits are addressed in this document from the Social Security Administration.

Visit the Social Security Administration website

Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA)

Iowa's Work Incentives Planning and Assistance program supports people receiving disability benefits who want to work.

Visit the Iowa Work Incentives Planning and Assistance website

Iowa Disability Benefits Network

The Iowa Disability Benefits Network provides information that is easy to understand about disability benefits like SSI and SSDI.

Visit the Iowa Disability Benefits Network website

Managing Your Own Health and Career Goals

This document could help you take charge of planning and managing your health care and work goals. Topics include tips for transitioning to adult health care, health insurance, self-care, decision-making, and career planning and management. Each topic is organized by what you need to know and resources that you can use.

Visit the Office of Disability Employment Policy website

Involving Youth with Disabilities in Community Service Activities

This article describes some options to support youth to get involved with community service and how it benefits them.

Visit the University of Minnesota website

Transition Tennessee

A website providing resources on preparing students with disabilities for life after high school.

Visit the Transition Tennesse website

21 Job Interview Tips

Job interview tips for before and during the interview are provided by Indeed.

Visit the Indeed website

Senior Checklist- World of Work

A checklist for Senior high school students who are getting ready to work after high school. Includes tips for completing a good job application and getting ready for an interview.

Visit the AEA 8 website

Work Based Learning Experiences for Students with Disabilities

A fact-sheet that provides general and legislative information. Includes the benefits of work-based learning experiences for students from the Federal Partners in Transition.

Visit the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services website

O*Net Website

Detailed information about jobs is available on the O'Net website. One section helps you match skills to careers.

Visit the O*Net website

Secondary Transition 101

These on-line trainings explain the Transition Planning process in Iowa. Topics include the Iowa Model of Transition Assessment and preparations for Post-Secondary Expectations in the areas of living, learning and working. Provided by Iowa Transition Specialists.

Visit the Iowa Secondary Transition Learning Community website

Documents to Keep for Youth Transitioning to Adult Life

The National Parent Center on Transition and Employment provides a list of documents that will support a successful transition. Topics include health history, job portfolio, personal documents and school records.

Visit the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website

High School Students Careers

The Future Ready Iowa website provides information about options for high school students to connect with high-demand careers, education and training after high school.

Visit the Future Ready Iowa website

Building a Resume: Tips for Youth with Disabilities

Tips for young people with disabilities and their families on building their first resume are outlined in this document from The National Parent Center on Transition and Employment.

Visit the PACER Center website

Roadtrip Nation

The Roadtrip Nation website highlights the stories of a variety of professionals with online tools, videos and curriculum to help individuals pursue fulfilling careers

Visit the Roadtrip Nation website

Apprentices- Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship Program

Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship Program provides a list of opportunities and map of employers across many different industries. These programs provide opportunities to learn skills while on the job.

Visit the Iowa's Registered Apprenticeship Program website

Employment First - A Family Perspective

Employment First (E1st) the idea that "Employment is the first priority and preferred outcome of publicly funded services for people with disabilities." (Iowa APSE) Learn more about integrated work options for Iowans with disabilities.

Visit the ASK Resource Center website

Pre- ETS Resources and Examples

This document describes the 5 services required through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre- ETS). It also includes example activities.

Visit the Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services website

Iowa Workbased Learning Guide

This guide provides school districts with information about high school learning that is work based. Descriptions of work-based learning from classroom speakers to work in the community and apprenticeships are included. This guide covers roles and responsibilities of the school and legal requirements to be considered.

Visit the Iowa Department of Education website

Explore Work Website

The Explore Work website provides activities to help youth explore their interests and strengths related to learning and working after high school.

Visit the Explore Work website

Transition Alliance Program (TAP) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This document from the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation outlines the details regarding how Vocational Rehabilitation services and school-based employment services cooperate to support students with disabilities in Transition Alliance Programs (TAPs).

Visit the IVRS website

Mission: Employable

Mission: Employable is a podcast by Iowa Workforce Development that discusses a variety of opportunities that are available in the workforce in Iowa.

Visit the Mission Employable website

Safer Driver Solutions

Safer Drivers Solutions is an organization that specializes in working with individuals with special needs. They provide driving instruction that is individualized. Find general tips and information about the process and possible funding options.

Visit the Safe Driver Solutions website

Youthood Website

Youthood is a virtual classroom-based transition tool for youth with disabilities that includes activities.

Visit the Youthood website

Individual Transition Planning Guide

This planning tool from the Minnesota Developmental Disabilities Council helps students and their families think about and plan for the student's transition needs. This is an electronic form that may be printed out or saved by the user.

Visit the Minnestoa Council on Developmental Disabilities website

National Parent Center on Transition and Employment- PACER

Find a wide range of resources and information on transition. Families, students and other members of IEP/transition planning teams have found this site useful.

Visit the National Parent Center on Transition and Employment website

Suggest or Request a Resource

Searching for a resource but can't find it? Please fill out our form to let us know what information would be helpful to you.

Complete The Form

Secure Your Financial Future: A Toolkit for Individuals with Disabilities

This comprehensive resource includes answers to frequently asked questions and additional websites, publications, and videos on topics like preparing, starting, maintaining, and changing a job.

Visit the Department of Labor website

Section 511 for Schools

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services describes what is required under Section 511 of WIOA for students with the most significant disabilities around employment preparation.

Visit the IVRS website

DE/LEA/IDB/IVRS Collaboration FAQ

This document provides a list of commonly used acronyms, frequently asked questions and responses to questions around the collaboration between the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Iowa Department for the Blind, and school districts in the work of transition planning for students.

View the document

Iowa Intermediary Network's Connection Lab

The Iowa Intermediary Network's Connection Lab provides opportunities for students to meet virtually with workforce industry experts and explore various careers.

Visit the Iowa Intermediary Network's website

Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) On Demand

WISE webinars provide information you can use on your path to financial independence through work. Discover programs, resources and information while learning about how Social Security's Ticket to Work Program can help.

Visit the Social Security Administration's website

Secondary Transition Decision Guide - Working

This document has been created tor IEP teams to use during transition planning in the area of working. This should guide teams in the discussion around what might be provided during the traditional four years of high school and when to consider the possibility of continuing services for students beyond the traditional four years of high school.

View the document from the Iowa Department of Education

Iowa Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE)

The Iowa Association of People Supporting Employment First works to improve and expand integrated employment services and outcomes through supported employment for persons with disabilities.

Visit the APSE website