UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION AND

REHABILITATIVE SERVICES

REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20202

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

> RSA-IM-92-13

RSM-2035

> DATE: April 23, 1992

ADDRESSEES: STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (GENERAL)

STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCIES (BLIND)

CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

RSA DISCRETIONARY GRANTEES

REGIONAL REHABILITATION CONTINUING EDUCATION

PROGRAMS

RSA SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

SUBJECT : EXEMPLARY SCHOOL TO WORK PROGRAM TO INCREASE

COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

The Rehabilitation Services Administration established an Operational
Plan for FY 1992 that included an objective for increasing competitive
employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. One of the
activities under this objective was to identify programs, projects and
practices that exemplify successful school to work transition approaches
to increasing competitive employment opportunities.

Several months ago, RSA invited the Directors of State Vocational
Rehabilitation Agencies and RSA-funded grantees to nominate projects and
practices they considered to be exemplary in terms of transition school
to work initiatives with potential for replication. Thirteen nominations
were received. These nominated programs and projects were reviewed by a
work group consisting of RSA staff and outside consultants. The programs
and projects were evaluated and ranked based upon established criteria
such as:

\-\-- Program philosophy, including emphasis on competitive placements
in the community,

consumer involvement, and individualized services;

\-\-- Accomplishment of goals and objectives, including population
served, placement statistics, and success rate;

\-\-- Innovative approach, including employer services and/or supports,
employer involvement, and linkages with public and private agencies and
resources; and

Page 2 - Information Memorandum

\-\-- Potential for replication, including an interest on the part of
program or project staff to serve in a technical assistance capacity to
other programs.

The following program was identified as exhibiting an outstanding
approach to transitioning individuals from school to work based upon the
above criteria:

[EXEMPLARY PROGRAM AND PROJECT - FY 1992]{.underline}

\"Assist Secondary Students in Special Transition\"

(Project ASSIST)

Naugatuck Board of Education, Naugatuck, Connecticut

Attached is a brief description of this program. Please feel free to
contact the identified representatives for further information. The
individuals identified in the attachment have indicated an interest in
serving as technical advisors and consultants to any program interested
in replicating the approaches described.

I hope that the sharing of this information will encourage other
programs and projects to implement innovative approaches to increase
competitive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Commissioner

Rehabilitation Services

Administration

Attachments

EXEMPLARY SCHOOL-TO-WORK TRANSITION PROGRAM

TO INCREASE COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

FY 1992

Rehabilitation Services Administration

March, 1992

\"Assist Secondary Students in

Special Transition\" (Project ASSIST)

Naugatuck Board of Education

CONTACT: Dana K. Lombardi

Marna F. Murtha

Naugatuck Board of Education

380 Church Street

Naugatuck, CT 06770

Telephone: (203) 723-4421

[OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM:]{.underline}

Project ASSIST is a model school-to-work transition program that
provides students with disabilities the opportunity to make informed
career choices and acquire the skills necessary to enter competitive
employment. Since the 1970\'s, the program has evolved from its original
concept of providing \"hands on\" job training for individuals with mild
mental retardation to a comprehensive vocational training and job
placement program. The program serves approximately 65 students annually
who have disabilities such as moderate mental retardation, learning
disabilities and psychiatric disabilities. Project ASSIST provides
individually tailored vocational training and placement services that
focus on helping students to prepare for, find and keep jobs in
competitive employment.

Programmatically, children 11-13 years of age are taught sociali- zation
skills. In later development, students are given the opportunity to
mature through diversified experiences in school, community and the
world of work. At age 15, all individuals in the program receive a
face-to-face orientation from a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
counselor describing services available. During this same period, an
adult daily living skills component focuses on maturity development of
individuals served. Working age students are generally referred to and,
if they meet eligibility requirements, are sponsored by the State
Vocational Rehabilitation Agency for job training, placement and
on-the-job follow up services. Through this process, the State
Vocational Rehabilitation Agency counselor, in collaboration with
Project ASSIST staff and the individual seeking services, develop an
Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program to ensure quality services
are identified and delivered. Once employed, Project ASSIST ensures that
program staff remain involved with students, employers and parents for a
minimum of a year or, if appropriate, longer. Project ASSIST has
maintained a 90-95% job retention rate over the past four years.

[Innovative Approaches:]{.underline}

Project ASSIST provides follow-up support for workers, parents and
employers through evaluations, monitoring and selective interventions.
Project ASSIST \"markets\" the skills of program participants through
letters of reference and involvement with the local Job Service and the
Chamber of Commerce. Program staff also obtain job leads through family
networks, the Small Manufacturers Association and agencies interested in
job placement. Through interagency collaboration, diversity and
creativity in job placement has occurred.

[Replication:]{.underline}

Project ASSIST has potential for replication. Staff are prepared to
provide technical assistance to other programs interested in developing
a similar model.

For further validation of this program\'s success, please contact:

Patricia Malloy Diane Pollutro

Human Resources Specialist Senior Counselor

Dept. of Human Resources Dept. of Human Resources

Bureau of Rehab. Services Bureau of Rehab. Services

95 Thomaston Avenue 95 Thomaston Avenue

Waterbury, CT 06702 Waterbury, CT 06702

\(203\) 757-1581 (203) 757-1581

Kathleen A. Schacht

Transition Coordinator

Dept. of Mental Retardation

395 West Main Street

Waterbury, CT 06702

\(203\) 596-7960