Kevin Urban has strong math and foreign language skills, earned several college credits while still in high school, and loves creating visual art. Through his participation in Nebraska VR Pre-Employment Transition Services he also learned a lot more about himself. He learned how to speak up for himself, knows he is not a fan of chaos or change, and says he is a hands-on and visual learner.
Kevin participated in group activities with Pre-Employment Transition Services Specialist Rita Meier and other Central City High School students where they discussed the employability skills required in a work environment, interviewing skills, and employer expectations. This was in preparation for several work-based learning experiences designed to explore the world of work.
At a job shadow at RBR Graphics in Central City, Kevin learned about the variety of products they make and sell ranging from signs, banners, and automobile wraps. While learning about the steps they take to begin a new project and how the equipment works, he noted he liked the independent nature of the work. He also toured the Central City Veterinary Clinic where he learned about care for companion animals like cats and dogs. He saw the corrals for keeping and treating large livestock. While he quickly understood this particular industry was not for him, he said it was nice to get insight on what happens in another field.
Kevin had an opportunity to earn a student assistant internship in the school media center at Central City High School where he developed listening skills, practiced following directions, and learned to keep on task. This helped prepare him for a paid work-based learning experience in the community that aligned with his career field interest.
The Alice M. Farr Public Library in Aurora, Nebraska was host for a work-based learning experience in the summer of 2019. Kevin appreciated the quiet environment, liked the job duties, and enjoyed helping library patrons with their resource or technology needs. He enjoyed helping with the summer reading program for children where he passed out craft supplies, cleaned up afterwards, straightened shelves, and kept reading tables tidy. By the end of the work-based learning experience, Kevin solidified his career goal and decision to begin academic transfer program at Central Community College to obtain an Associate of Library Science degree. He has plans to continue on to complete a Bachelor?s of Library Science Degree online through the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Kevin is not afraid to put in the work to be successful in the future. He attended a two-week Summer Transition Program held at the Nebraska VR Service Office in Grand Island. The workshop included group exercises where students were assigned a household budget and had to make choices for housing, transportation, and grocery spending. Employer expectation discussions were also among topics covered.
Brain Focus
This is a free app with in-app purchases available for Android devices. This app helps with time management and limits distractions and may be useful for students who experience Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The app tracks work time by task and provides breaks using the Pomodoro technique. You can also select which apps to block on your device to avoid being distracted while working.
BeWarned
This free app is available for iOS devices and has a sound monitor to detect loud sounds and notify you by vibration and/or flashing light. This app may be useful for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. A dialogue screen allows the user to communicate with others using speech to text and/or typing and has other features for emergencies.
Strong partnerships with businesses and organizations in communities across Nebraska are key to providing opportunities for students to explore career choices and develop employability skills. We?ve asked one of these partners to provide some insight from the employer?s perspective as a work-based learning experience host.
How were you introduced to Nebraska VR?
The library has provided meeting space for Nebraska VR to meet with clients and students for several years. Then, our Library Director was asked if they would host a work experience for a student interested in Library Science. How were you introduced to the student? A couple of students participated in a worksite tour of the library and we were introduced after the tour.
What were some of the work duties during the work-based learning experience?
The student helped patrons navigate aisles and shelves according to areas of interest. He checked in returned books, straightened shelves, restocked books, and helped patrons problem-solve computer technology issues, and assisted with the book sale. In addition, he assisted during weekly Children?s Summer Reading and researched and developed a 50th anniversary poster of man walking on the moon.
What did the student do well from the beginning?
He was willing to do what was asked of him and preferred keeping busy.
What surprised you about the experience?
He was always on time, even a little early to his scheduled shift, and not always on his phone. That was nice! How do you feel about your role in preparing a student for the future? I hope I have been a good role model and appreciate his respect as his supervisor.
Jackie Bowman, Assistant Library Director/Children?s Librarian
Alice M. Farr Public Library, Aurora, NE
Frequently Asked Questions from parents, students, and educators
Q: Can a student receive Pre-Employment Transition Services and VR services at the same time?
A: Yes, students can apply for VR services while still receiving Pre-Employment Transition Services. While the Order of Selection (OOS) is in effect, there is a wait list for VR services and students can continue to receive Pre-Employment Transition Services as long as they maintain student status and are in the age range of 14-21 years old.Talk to your Pre-Employment Transition Services Coordinator to learn more.
Q: Can students receive Pre-Employment Transition Services if they are already eligible for DD services?
A: Yes, students can receive Pre-Employment Transition Services to engage in job exploration and work readiness activities. The role of Nebraska VR in providing services to students is primarily one of planning and helping to identify appropriate post-school goals and needed supports that lead to employment.
Financial education is important for everyone to learn practical money skills. Find activities for students and teachers: https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/teach/lesson_plans/special_needs
The Social Security Administration (SSA) encourages young people who are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to go to work. Here are a few of the ways young people can work and minimize the effect of earned income on Social Security benefits:
It is important to have a thorough understanding of how you can work and keep needed benefits. Social Security has a publication that explains these work incentives and more at:
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-64-030.pdf
Your Nebraska VR Pre-Employment Transition Coordinator can also provide information and referral resources so you can learn more about how you can try working and earning income.
PTI Nebraska (Parent Training and Information) is a statewide resource for families of children with disabilities and special health care needs. PTI can talk to families about special education and disability specific information, but they also offer a wide range of workshops and webinars for school staff. http://pti-nebraska.org
Nebraska VR has a long history of providing transition services for youth with disabilities as they transition from school to work. We partner with parents, schools, and employers to help students prepare for the future. Transition Works, published by Nebraska VR, is intended for students with disabilities and their families, as well as educators.
Find additional resources for students at:
Nebraska VR
PO Box 949847
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509-4987
Toll Free: 877-637-3422
Learn more about Nebraska VR at: vr.nebraska.gov.
Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaVR.
Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/NebraskaVR.
Nebraska VR - Where your future begins
The Pathway to Employment Video Series is designed to de-mystify the many services provided to clients and businesses while highlighting the innovation that is the culture of Nebraska VR. While certainly each story is either one of progress towards an employment goal or a client's employment goal success, they are also stories about the important role played by staff members, businesses, ATP, Easter Seals, Project SEARCH, and others. Go to: vr.nebraska.gov/videos/