During the COVID-19 crisis The Choice Group will remain open providing services and information to our clients. Please contact your Vocational Counselor directly or reach our main office by phone (804) 278-9151/ (877) 374-5312 or email TTW@TheChoiceGroup.com
4807 Radford Ave #106, Richmond, VA 23230
info@thechoicegroup.com
(877) 374-5312 / (804) 278-9151
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for DBVI
In response to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA) requirements,
the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) developed services to focus on youth
with vision impairments. These services include
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Overview, Career Exploration and Counseling
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Workplace Readiness Skills Training
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Exploratory Work-Based Learning
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Work-Based Learning Experiences
The Choice Group collaborates with individual clients, families, DBVI Counselors, and employers to provide support to the transitioning youth by exploring career interests/abilities and postsecondary educational/training programs.
For more information send us an email at info@thechoicegroup.com
The Choice Group is partnering with The Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services to blind, vision impaired and deaf blind students.These community based services are available to students year-round.
The goal of the Pre-ETS program is to develop innovative program initiatives which include:
One woman is helping two women with visual impairments shop in the grocery store.
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Job exploration counseling
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Counseling on opportunities for participation in comprehensive transition or postsecondary educational programs
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Soft skills and job readiness skills development
The three women are standing by bananas in a grocery story. One of the three women is placing an item in the grocery cart.
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Identifying real world transferrable skills
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Opportunities for work-based learning experiences with local businesses in the community
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Self-advocacy
Two visually impaired women are learning how to make lemonade. First they take notes in the classroom.
The Choice Group’s Pre-Employment Transition Services provide the student with highly individualized opportunities to prepare for transition into competitive and integrated employment.
Two visually impaired women are learning to cut lemons at a table to be squeezed into a pitcher that has a strainer on top.
DBVI and The Choice Group are committed to informing students age 14 through 21 who are blind, vision impaired and deafblind about these unique opportunities. Students who have open Vocational Rehabilitation cases as well as those who are potentially eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation services are able to participate. In order to provide information on these services, The Choice Group is able to present at transition fairs or other local school events.
Women with visual impairments are learning how to cook.
The curriculum will equip the student to be more confident and proactive in transitioning to employment and training is available in the following areas:
One woman is showing another how to spread mayonnaise on a slice of bread.
1. Career Exploration and assessment of interests
2. Completing job applications
3. Developing cover letters and resumes
4. Soft skills and job seeking skills
A woman with visual impairment is carefully feeling the heat from a toaster oven while wearing an oven mitt.
5. Positive work behaviors
6. Interpersonal skills
7. Appropriate work dress and personal hygiene
8. Interview preparation and mock interview activities
9. Workplace culture and business etiquette
10. Community based Pre-Employment Transition work opportunities
11. Individualized review of SSI/SSDI, state benefits, and work incentives
The goal of these activities is to prepare students for work experiences in the community that are either unpaid or paid. At the completion of the program,The Choice Group will provide a digital portfolio to each participant in flash drive format containing recommendations and resources.
For more information please contact:
Chris Lavach, M.S.
Director of Community Services
(804) 278-9151 or toll-free at 1-877-374-5312
Chris.Lavach@thechoicegroup.com