Organizations Launch Pre-Employment Transition Services for Students Partnership

The Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) at the University of Wyoming recently launched ACCESS Employment.

ACCESS Employment is a strategic partnership to increase the number of students receiving pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS). Pre-ETS services are activities required by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, bringing together schools, vocational rehabilitation, businesses and families to prepare for successful employment opportunities for students.

Capitalizing on the strengths and programs of regional DVR offices, WIND will bring statewide partnerships and resources to address Pre-ETS activities, says Betsy Bress, WIND project coordinator. The partnership also will provide a diverse set of training experiences for successful employment outcomes for Wyoming students.

Additional partnerships with schools, employers, community colleges, employment organizations and families are planned. WIND will support existing programs and integrate new approaches to job exploration, postsecondary education, workplace readiness training, work-based learning and self-advocacy instruction.

Program participants will include Wyoming students ages 14-21 who are eligible or potentially eligible to receive services from DVR for successful employment.

For more information about how youth can engage in Pre-ETS activities and about the partnership, visit the WIND youth website at www.uwyo.edu/wind/accessemployment/ or email accessemployment@uwyo.edu.