Secondary Transition Experience Program (S.T.E.P.)

The Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP) is a training and assessment program that prepares students with disabilities for transition from high school to employment and community participation during and after high school. This program is funded through a grant from the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services. In STEP, students acquire not only good work habits, but also employability skills.

How Does STEP Work?

STEP is comprised of two phases. The first phase is a classroom course in which the student is taught about vocations that are of interest to the student. Emphasis is also placed on the acquisition of employability skills.

The second phase is the employment of the student in a field related to his/her interests and abilities. Job sites may be located on campus at the school or may be any place in the community that can offer adequate supervision on the job. Students must be paid at least minimum wage for community based employment. The student's work performance is evaluated quarterly. Additionally, the students receive a grade and a credit toward graduation upon successful completion of STEP.

Who Supervises STEP?

The Madison County Transition Program provides a Transition Specialist based out of the Regional Office of Education who oversees the programs in participating high schools within Madison County. The Transition Specialist acts as the liaison between the schools and DRS. Each high school provides a Certified Teacher/Prevocational Coordinator who is responsible for the supervision of both the classroom and job training phases of the program. The Transition Specialist and/or Coordinator visit the job sites regularly.

What is the Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services?

The Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services is the state's lead agency serving individuals with disabilities. All of the students enrolled in STEP become clients of DRS. The school and DRS have entered into a joint agreement in which they work together to help students with disabilities become employable.

During the school year, DRS contribute funds which are used to help operate the work program. These funds may also assist with medical, vocational testing, and placement services. During this time the Transition Specialist becomes familiar with the abilities of each student. Upon graduation, the Transition Specialist can continue to work with the student to assist him/her in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living options. Should a student be ready for adult services provided by DRS, the student's case will be transferred to a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the local DRS office.

How Does a Student Become a Part of STEP?

Students are identified for consideration for participation in STEP by school personnel or by self or family referral. The STEP Coordinator for the school district will gather the following documentation to be given to the Transition Specialist:

• Consent for Release of Information – to be completed by the parents if the student is under the age of 18
• Consent for participation in STEP – to be completed by the parents if the student is under the age of 18

Once consent is obtained, the STEP Coordinator will gather the following documentation to be given to the Transition Specialist to help determine eligibility:

• Most current IEP or 504 plan and subsequent IEP's or 504 plans as they are developed
• Most current Psychological Report and subsequent reports as they are developed
• Most current Support Services reports and subsequent reports as they are developed
• Student Health Records
• Student Social Security Number

Once this information is compiled, it will become a part of the student's case record for DRS.
The Transition Specialist will meet with the student and parents to do an Intake Interview. Once a student is found to have met the eligibility requirements, he/she will be certified for services through DRS and will become a part of the Transition Specialist's caseload and will be enrolled in the work related class at the participating high school.

Services Provided To Students

Participating School Districts