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Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

What is vocational rehabilitation?

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that helps people who have disabilities get or keep a job. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers. The division provides programs for adults, students and youth.

Who should be referred to VR?

  • All students with disabilities, ages 14-21 (The student’s disability must be documented by an IEP, 504 plan or some other means.)
  • Student or youth out of school who may not need academic or physical accommodations in high school but may need them later
  • Student, ages 16-24, who is thinking about dropping out or youth who is already out of school

What services are offered to students?

Students and out-of-school youth with disabilities are set up for success through Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and Transition Youth Programs.

  • Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
    Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) offer students with disabilities an early start at career exploration and preparation for adult life.
    • Focus of the program is to explore careers, develop work skills, practice social skills and acquire a network of community supports while the student is in high school
    • Student does not have to apply to VR or be determined eligible for services
    • Starting at the age of 14, a student with a disability can connect with VR for Pre-ETS through either the school’s transition staff, guidance counselor or self-referral
    • Under federal law, every student with a disability has the opportunity to participate in this program
    • The program includes:
      • Job exploration counseling
      • Postsecondary educational counseling
      • Self-advocacy training and peer mentoring
      • Work readiness training
      • Work-based learning experience
  • Transition Youth Programs
    Transition Programs assist students with training for a job, continuing their education or finding a job after high school.
    • Youth will have the opportunity to participate in sponsored career counseling, work readiness training, and work experiences in the community
    • Delivered to the students while they are in high school
    • Components of the program include the following:
      • Career camps
        • Prepare for the transition from high school to post-secondary education, training or employment
      • High School High Tech
        • Ages 14-22
        • Offered collaboratively through the Able Trust, VR and local school district.
        • Year-round program, career and college exploration program for students to promote careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
      • Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE)
        • Designed for students with intellectual disabilities, giving them access to post-secondary education
        • Provides age-appropriate opportunities for learning, employment preparation, recreational activities, social interactions
        • Pair student with peer, academic and community mentors
      • Project SEARCH
        • Ages 18-21
        • Internship program that delivers employment training and education
        • Goal is competitive employment
        • Program provides real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent-living skills to help young people with disabilities make successful transitions to productive adult life
      • Youth Leadership Forum
        • Ages 16-19
        • Unique leadership-training program
        • Student will serve as delegates from their community at a four-day event in the state capitol

How to make a referral for students enrolled in school

  • The student will verbally ask the school’s transition counselor or guidance counselor to submit a referral for VR.
  • The school submits the referral.
  • VR staff contacts student to arrange a meeting.
  • The parent and student then review the VR Pre-Employment Transition Services.

How to make a referral for students not enrolled in school

Contact your local VR office:
1-850-245-3399 or 1-800-451-4327
VRTransitionYouth@vr.fldoe.org