In our continued effort to provide information and assistance to families and students with disabilities, we are excited to work with two local high schools again this year as a provider for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students with disabilities. Pre-ETS are coordinated by Michigan Rehabilitative Services (MRS), which contracts agencies like The Arc to provide the services.
What are Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)?
According to Michigan.gov, “Pre-ETS are an early intervention delivered in a variety of developmentally appropriate experiences with the goal of ultimately leading to competitive, integrated employment outcomes.”
Pre-ETS provides students with disabilities the opportunity to explore career paths and prepare them for competitive employment. The services are available to Michigan students with disabilities, aged 14–26, who are accepted or enrolled in secondary or postsecondary education. The program, coordinated by MRS and delivered by us at The Arc of Calhoun County. The Arc provides instruction and experiences in four key areas, based on the five types of Pre-ETS offered.
Pre-ETS focuses on four key areas including job exploration, postsecondary education counseling, workplace readiness training and self-advocacy training. We teach students how to review job postings, practice interview skills, experience guest speakers and attend field trips to see job opportunities first-hand.
Pre-ETS are available in Michigan to students with disabilities who are age 14-26 and accepted or enrolled in secondary or postsecondary education.
Why Pre-ETS Matters
“This program is important because it gives self-advocacy and employment skills to students with disabilities at their level and in representing ways,” said Dominique Brown, Special Educator at Battle Creek Central. Brown said the program has given her students “a sense of purpose…and additional work experience.”
Our Executive Director, Clare Tanner, said, “We know that the earlier people are exposed to opportunity and develop the skills they need to make their own decisions, speak up for themselves, and work and live in community, the greater their chances of retaining their rights and achieving their goals.”
Making Connections and Building Skills
Our weekly sessions with students prioritize hands-on learning that includes job exploration, interview practice, guest speakers, real-life stories, and field trips. Students spend time reviewing job postings to learn what is required for certain jobs, as well as practicing interview skills. We've also brought in guests who work in industries of interest for the students to interview.
Last year, students got to hear from adults with disabilities who went through Pre-ETS, graduated, and went on to find employment through The Arc’s Supported Employment services. This was one of the most impactful activities for students last year, according to Chasity Allen, Special Educator at Union City High School.
“All kids need to be prepared for when they get out of high school, and so giving them alternate ways to learn good career skills and even soft skills is important,” said Allen. “Even though I teach a lot of this, sometimes kids hear it from somebody else, or in a different way, and it just clicks more, or it just connects and stays.”
This year, we’re also planning some exciting field trips to get students out into the community to learn more about jobs firsthand.
To learn more about our programs, please call us at (269) 966-2575.
