EEC 2017 Road Map Script (Alternate Text)
The Experience the Employment Connection (EEC) 2017 Roadmap provides a snapshot of someone’s life.
Transition begins at age 14.
Though transition age students exit high school by age 21, youth continue their transition until approximately age 25.
In this snapshot, the transition process is divided into very broad stages on the Road Map, rather than by specific ages.
From left to right across the Road Map, stages are marked by vertical dotted lines.
Stages: Before High School, Early/Late High School, After High School and Employed.
In practice, most attention is given to transition during late high school and shortly after, as represented by the “Heavy Work Zone” at bottom of the Road Map.
Under Employment First, competitive integrated employment is the “first consideration and preferred outcome” for publicly funded services.
Often, the route to competitive integrated employment is not always entirely linear. Roadblocks and detours are encountered along the way to the Finish Line.
Across our systems, separate but related pieces of legislation determine our direction.
For this reason, legislation is represented by a compass.
The main roadway includes services under Special Education (in red) and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR, in green).
Tire tracks indicate progress along the main roadway.
Because a student may receive Special Education services well before high school, Special Education extends prior to the START line.
OVR’s Early Reach Initiative may impact students through group presentations before they even enter high school.
An active case with OVR, on the other hand, typically begins two years prior to graduation, overlapping with Special Education services in the late high school stage.
The transition between Early Reach and an active OVR case is marked by dotted green lines, as not all students will choose to apply for more formal OVR services.
Special Education services end at graduation. OVR services can continue into adulthood.
Potential interagency supports run parallel to the main roadway.
Across the top, the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is outlined in orange.
Across the bottom, the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) [ohm-sauce], is outlined in purple.
Through ODP, there are four programs available: the Consolidated Waiver, the Person/Family Directed Supports Waiver (P/FDS), the Adult Autism Waiver (AAW), and the Adult Community Autism Program (A-CAP).
Previously, an individual had to have an intellectual disability in addition to autism in order to receive services through the Consolidated Waiver or the P/FDS Waiver.
As of July 1, 2017, all four of ODP's programs now serve people with autism (whether they have an intellectual disability or not).
This is a very important change for our shared population.
All ODP services are available based on capacity and eligibility.
Consolidated and P/FDS Waiver services are available at any age, while individuals must be at least 21 years of age to be eligible for services through AAW or ACAP.
Notice the blue box enclosed in the orange ODP box.
The Adult Autism Waiver and ACAP fall under ODP’s Bureau of Autism Services (BAS).
Let’s drop down to OMHSAS now.
County-based mental health services are available to children and adults.
There is a distinct “gap” in the purple OMHSAS block, illustrating the possibility of “falling through the cracks” during the transition to adulthood, typically around age 18.
When supporting individuals who benefit from mental health services, it is important to be particularly vigilant during this transition.
Moving towards the Finish Line, notice that an individual’s OVR case is typically closed once employment is obtained and stabilized.
Interagency partners may offer ongoing services that support long-term success as the road continues into the future.
These systems are united by a common goal – employment and independence for the individuals served.
Developed by Sara Gales, OVR Training Director for EEC 20171