8:45 AM - 2:30PM EST
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Join us on Thursday, March 17th for a statewide virtual transition fair! This event is an opportunity for middle school and high school students with disabilities and their families to learn about the transition from high school to adulthood and resources available. Sessions will cover education and training options, employment opportunities, independent living, and how to access services.
Students with disabilities (age 14+), parents/caregivers, families, teachers, counselors, agencies and other service providers.
On the day of the event, login using the email address that you provided during registration. Login any time after 8:15 am and visit the exhibit booths. The Welcome and Opening Session will begin at 8:45 am.
If you cannot attend on March 17th, you can access the videos and materials through June 30, 2022.
Login and take some time to explore the virtual platform. Check out the exhibit booths and the game room!
Join us for the welcome and opening remarks from the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services.
Former DRS clients, Morgan Wagner and Chris Napier, will share their personal stories and how DRS played a part in shaping their lives and careers.
Join DRS counselors for a discussion on agency transition services available to high school students with disabilities.
Take a short break, visit exhibit booths, and check out the games! Or view our on-demand videos in the auditorium!
This session covers work readiness topics that will help you prepare for employment and provides information about skills needed to keep your job after you begin your employment journey! The top 8 soft skills that will help you be successful in any job setting will also be reviewed.
An introduction to the WIPA program including the purpose of the project and the reasons the project benefits students and beneficiaries on Social Security benefits. Session will include a brief introduction to work incentives.
Registration process, referral process, working with America's Job Center partners, Federal Bonding Program, Jobs Jumpstart Program, America's Job Center locations throughout the state.
This session will focus on showing students how to find out about the outlook for careers in WV and how to use this important information.
This session is to provide a description of what the IDD Waiver program has to offer and how to apply.
WVU Country Roads is a new program, housed at West Virginia University, and coordinated by the West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities. The goal of the program is to prepare students with disabilities for independence by providing academic courses, social engagement and real-world work experiences. Students live in a shared residential housing arrangement, participate in social activities across campus and receive career education and training.
Take a short break for lunch and check out the exhibit booths and games.
This session will discuss how to prepare for job interviews and techniques to use while the job interview is in progress. Information will also be provided about how to properly complete paper and online applications.
This session will include information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the West Virginia State Americans with Disabilities Act Office and services.
Take a short break, visit exhibit booths, and check out the games! Or view our on-demand videos in the auditorium!
This financial health education session will leave you with a basic understanding of financial goal-setting, budgeting, how financial institutions (banks and credit unions) work and their products/services, what credit is, the different loan types, and an introduction to credit reports.
The rules have changed…the WVABLE program allows many qualifying individuals with a disability the ability to save and invest more than $2,000 without losing eligibility for certain government benefits that are critical to their health and well-being, such as SSI and Medicaid. Up to $16,000 per calendar year may be contributed into a WVABLE account, and an additional $12,880 of income may be contributed by employed beneficiaries - increasing the total annual contribution limit to $28,880. Earnings grow tax free and can be spent at any time for qualified disability expenses.
Overview of federal and state financial aid programs including WV Invests and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
This session will cover independent living skills, self-advocacy strategies, and services provided by Centers for Independent Living.
A program overview will provide participants information about independent living skills, strategies to becoming a better self-advocate, what services are provided by Centers for Independent Living (CIL) and how to access a CIL near you.
As a result of this session, participants will:
1. Understand what independent living skills are, and how independent living skills will help you to be successful as you transition to post-secondary school, a job of your choice, and into adulthood.
2. Understand what advocacy is, how to be a self-advocate, and strategies to becoming a better self-advocate.
3. Understand what services are provided by a Center for Independent Living (CIL) and how to access a CIL.
College for West Virginia (CFWV) provides free resources to help students and families plan, apply, and pay for education and training beyond high school. A central component of the CFWV initiative is WV’s one stop college access web portal, CFWV.com.
Attendees will learn the accommodations available to them in Higher Education. What steps to take to receive accommodations in your classroom, and advocacy skills that are beneficial to students.
The West Virginia Department of Education has worked with committee experts from numerous businesses and industries throughout West Virginia to design Simulated Workplace. This new educational initiative has been created to assist schools in implementing workplace environmental protocols that align with West Virginia workforce requirements, including random drug testing, professionalism, attendance and safety. Simulated Workplace has not only enhanced instructional delivery of career education but has created a more engaged career and technical student. The simulated workplace environment permits students the opportunity to take ownership of their individual performance as it impacts the overall success of their education, while thriving in an authentic workplace culture. Simulated Workplace also encourages local business and industry experts to join onsite review teams to assist schools in meeting their workforce needs and expectations.
Join Morgan Wagner and Chris Napier for the WV Transition Fair wrap up and next steps.
Be sure to visit any exhibitors you may have missed!