Why? WAT Work Adjustment Training

Why? WATWork Adjustment Training Presented by Bonnie Allen, DRS Ty Beasley, Dale Rogers Training Center And Jane Ciorba, Able

Purpose of WAT • Learn life skills • Targeting • Job Training • Students’ interests Girl stocking bananas in grocery store

Purpose of WAT • Over a 2 year period of time each student will have the opportunity to have their abilities assessed. • Student will have the opportunity to find out what types of jobs they are best suited for. • During the process students will learn both soft and hard working skills that will help them attain and maintain jobs.

Worksites • The purpose of worksites is to expose the student to a variety of jobs which helps them learn what they may want to do. In essence it is kind of like trying on shoes before you buy them. Girl Bussing tables at a restaurant

Worksite Partners • Oklahoma City • OSU-OKC Horticulture Center • OSU-OKC The HUB • OSU-OKC –Housekeeping • St. Johns Day Care • BestBuy • Taco Bell • Wal-Greens • Christmas Connection • Party Galaxy • Buy 4 Less • Moore/Norman • Homeland Grocers • Taco Casa • Syrup Breakfast Boutique • Holiday Inn • T J Maxx • HomeGoods • BestBuy • LaQuinta Inn • Wal-mart • Warren Theater

Success! • Began ABLE in high school; participated in DRS WAT program • Graduated from high school • Paid employment at OU enclave since 2007 • Stabilization (20% or less intervention with a job coach) Male washing dishes with smile on his face.

Success! • While attending WAT for 2 years he gained confidence and made connections. He graduated from High School and is now working at one of our community partners where he had gained experience through WAT program. Two males riding bus with smile on their faces.

How to get your student involved? • Process for Opening a Case with DRS • 1.Referral is made by the School District • 2. After the referral is received by the DRS office an information letter containing basic information about DRS and the counselor contact information is mailed to the student’s parents • 3.An application for services is mailed to the student/student’s parent once it is requested from the student/student’s parent • 4.After the application is received by the DRS office an appointment is set up for an initial interview to discuss the student’s needs and goals for post-secondary plans

How to get your student involved? Process for Opening a Case with DRS • 5. The DRS counselor reviews the student’s records concerning the student’s disability and determines eligibility for services (this can take up to 60 days) • 6. After eligibility for services is determined the DRS counselor and the student and the student’s parents will develop a plan for DRS services. The services will be based off of the information discussed during the initial interview and any other conversations that have taken place up to this point. Services can change or additional services can be added at any point during the life of the case. • 7. The student’s case will remain open until after 90 days of appropriate employment is obtained

How to become a provider of WAT Services. • First step is for the school to have a meeting with Kim Osmani • Each school/district and Community Rehabilitation Provider (CRP) wishing to enter into a contract with the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) to provide Work Adjustment Training will submit a proposal in electronic form. • As you go through the process you will receive technical support to help with getting through the process.

How to become a provider of WAT Services. • The proposal that you developed should contain an overall picture of what the program will look like including community partnerships. • The proposal will also contain a daily schedule of what the program will be. • After the proposal is reviewed by the Transition Coordinator, Program Field Representative and the local VR/VS counselor.

How to become a provider of WAT Services. • If the proposal meets DRS standards a contract is issued. • Once the contract is signed and returned to DRS and has been processed through the channels and approved a completed contract is sent back and preauthorizations can begin. • Each WAT program will be audited once per year which can include onsite visits to instructional classrooms, or to community business locations, or may involve the contractor submitting material requested by DRS.

How to become a provider of WAT Services. • Contact • Kimberly Osmani, Transition Coordinator • Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services • 5813 South Robinson Avenue • OKC, OK 73109 • Office (405) 635-2768 • Mobile (405) 343-8071 • kosmani@okdrs.gov • www.okrehab.org

Now the Journey Begins Male smiling while working. A male and female working at a grocery store. Young male with big smile on his face. Three young ladies smiling while working.

Any Questions Red 3D question mark Happy cartoon face with hand to chin thinking with 2 Question marks next to face. Yellow Square with a pair of glasses with question marks on the lens. Cartoon Boy with Thinking Cap on his head. Question Mark that looks like a thumbprint. Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services Dale Rogers Training Center ABLE community bassed services

Why? WAT Work Adjustment Training