The Long and Short of Employment Services

DVR

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) helps adults with disabilities find and secure stable employment. DVR services are not long-term. Their purpose is to provide the necessary tools and assistance for initial job placement and (if needed) to aid transition to longterm supports outside DVR (such as DDA).

Services may include: counseling & guidance; trial work experience; community-based assessment; benefits planning; assistive technology; job-related services such as completing applications, developing a resume, practicing interview skills, conducting a job search, gaining job skills; and transition to DDA long-term supports.

The Role of DVR in High School Transition: DVR partners with school districts to help students receiving high school transition services prepare for and find employment. This typically happens during the final year of school (age 20-21).

For more information, or to find the DVR Transition Liaison in your school, visit:
dshs.wa.gov/dvr and click on the quick link for School Transition; or call: 1-800-637-5627.

DDCS (formerly known as DDA)

The Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) provides long-term employment services to eligible individuals age 21 and over.

Services may include:

• Individual Supported Employment
  Individualized services necessary to help persons with I/DD obtain and continue integrated employment at or above the state's minimum wage in the general workforce. Includes intake, discovery, assessment, job preparation, job marketing, job supports, record keeping and support to maintain a job..
• Group Supported Employment
  Supervised employment for groups of no more than 8 workers with disabilities in the same setting.

It’s important to find out, prior to exiting the school system, how to apply for these services (and if funding will be available).

Although DDCS does not provide employment services until age 21, other home & community-based services may be available. Visit dshs.wa.gov/dda for a full list of services.

High school transition programs (for students age 18-21) vary from county to county. Some county DD programs partner with the school district, DVR, and others with the goal of helping students to leave school with a job and make a seamless transition into adult life. Some counties, however, do not have alternative sources of funding to provide this type of wraparound service (beyond what DVR offers).

Ask your school district what kinds of activities and support its transition program offers. Contact Parent-to-Parent (arcwa.org/parent-to-parent/) or PAVE (wapave.org) for support to help get your child’s transition needs met.

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