Your student will be referred for transition services at the age of 14. The main goal of transition services is to prepare your student for life after high school – Adulthood and Employment. Both the student and their family are important partners in this process.

You should know:

• The need for transitional services should be reflected in the students’ Individual Education Plan (IEP);
• The referral should include a statement of needed transition services, including when appropriate, a statement of the interagency responsibilities;
• The student’s CBVI Education Instructor will continue to provide direct instructional and other education related services;
• The Transition Counselor and arranges for psychometric testing to assist in career planning and can arrange for the student to meet with individuals who do particular jobs in their expressed areas of interest;
• The Transition Counselor will confer with the appropriate Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor on all cases where the student is in his or her last year of formal education to determine an appropriate action plan after the completion of the formal secondary education;

An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed for each student prior to leaving school. The IPE outlines the vocational goal and the services needed to reach that goal.

Resource Link: New Jersey Department of Education

• Eligibility: Must be a High School Students
• Is the program residential?
  No. This program takes place on the weekends and students must travel to attend
• How can you join?
  A referral from your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC)

EDGE (1.0) Employment, Development, Guidance, and Engagement

Program Description:

• EDGE assist high school students with becoming successful in post-secondary education or employment goals by honing in on their professional, advocacy and independent living skills. Monthly workshops and activities are held in person and mentors are available to assist students with working through situations unique to blind and visually impaired students. EDGE strives to provide students with all that is necessary to become successful adults, professionals and members of their communities. Because the program is run and staffed by successful blind and visually impaired professionals; students are given the opportunity to speak with and learn from accomplished blind professionals. The staff understand the importance of instilling independence and confidence within blind and visually impaired youth and allow students to learn from a variety of fields to better develop their path to a future career. Students can also obtain work-based learning experiences through paid internships.
• Workshops and activities include:
  • Discovering and exploring various careers that my match the student’s interests, abilities, capabilities, priorities and concerns
  • Developing an understanding of the world of work through various work readiness instruction
  • Building and establishing their professional network
  • Understanding post-secondary education options
  • And gaining work experiences through work based learning opportunities

EDGE (2.0) Employment, Development, Guidance, and Engagement

Program Description:

• EDGE 2.0 serves college undergraduates across New Jersey and Pennsylvania who are blind and visually impaired. Students learn how to maximize their college experience through an individualized assimilation plan that addresses barriers on campus, sets academic and social goals, and establishes plans for campus and community engagement. As upperclassmen in the EDGE program, students have career development plans that provide a map to graduation and a guide to careers in their fields of interest. In addition, students participate in campus visits with a career advisor, monthly mentor conversations, and peer meetings with career-centered activities. Using each of these resources and a career-focused approach, students enhance their ability to become employed competitively in their field of choice.
• EDGE 2.0 workshops focus on:
  • Adjusting to the college environment and campus life;
  • Advocating for one’s self when posed with a challenge or accommodation need
  • Preparing for the world of work through exploration and attainment of internships and other work based learning opportunities
  • Continuing to build their professional network and resources

Supported employment services increases the opportunity for individuals who might require augmented levels of support, training, and advocacy to be employed in real jobs for competitive wages. Consumers needing these services are most often individuals with multiple disabilities who have never worked before or have not been in the workforce for many years.

A job coach works with each consumer and their VR Counselor to perform a broad range of functions including helping with job applications, seeking out appropriate transportation, and arranging the necessary accommodations in the worksite. The supported employment approach provides a means for assessing not only the strengths and support needs of the individual but also, the ability of the employer to make reasonable accommodations. A supported employment approach further leads to the development and implementation of strategies to overcome barriers before they become problems that could jeopardize employment stability. These services are provided through an array of community based agencies

Post-employment services are time-limited interventions that provide support to a consumer after he or she becomes successfully employed. Sometimes employment barriers are not identified until after a person goes to work (e.g. childcare issues, unreliable transportation, requirements of the job changes, need for additional accommodations becomes apparent, etc.) These additional supports enhance the likelihood of a more compatible job match and puts the focus of resources on eliminating barriers in a specific worksite setting.