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YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS |
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The OK/TX IPSE Summit
Oklahoma Inclusive Postsecondary Education (OK IPSE) Alliance is a partnership between the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Sooner SUCCESS and the Oklahoma Department of Education. OK IPSE Alliance hosted the first Summit solely focused on Inclusive Post Secondary Education (IPSE) programs for students with Intellectual/Developmental Disability on April 14th in Oklahoma City. They were delighted to have a full house to hear from national experts from Think College - the national coordinating and assistance center for IPSE programs as well as leadership from their four programs in Oklahoma at University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Northeastern State University, the University of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State University as well as three programs in Texas at Texas A&M, Texas A&M San Antonio and the University of North Texas.
Attendees included parents/family members, educators, agency staff, potential students and representatives from various tech centers in Oklahoma. The wide variety of attendees was exactly what they hoped for to spread the word about what these programs offer for students and the documented improved outcomes they give to students that complete them.
Topics presented ranged from the State of the Nation - an overview of IPSE's progress and plans for the future, to "How to start a Program", Peer Mentor Development, Building Partnerships in the community and on campus, a new pilot to support students in community employment and after graduation and beyond!
Leaders from Oklahoma and Texas also spent time together to discuss the potential of a future OK/TX Alliance to share information and further strengthen the IPSE movement as well as share information between programs. The highlight of the Summit was the student panel at the end of the day where students from all four Oklahoma programs got to share their experiences of attending college and pursuing their dreams. The students shared their favorite and best parts of attending college as well as some challenges they have had, and overcome. They also shared their job experiences and plans for the future.
We were thrilled with the feedback and requests to continue with more opportunities for the community to hear about these programs as well as the need for more programs for students. As Think College noted, only 2% of students with IDD attend college.
We know that college is not for everyone, but for the students that have that goal and can benefit from attending, they should be able to attend. IPSE leaders noted they turn away two to five times as many students as they can accept. Oklahoma needs more programs, and we hope this Summit jump started the conversation in Community Colleges, Universities and Tech Centers!
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STEM 2023
 STEM Camp 2023 is coming! Each year, Tech-Now holds specialized STEM Camps across the state that demonstrate the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math concepts. STEM Camp is open to all Oklahoma students with disabilities, ages 14-19 ( must be on an IEP, 504 Plan or have other documented physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities). Parents, guardians, and siblings are encouraged to support this learning experience by helping however possible.
See below updated registration links to STEM Camps that will be held this summer!
Ada: June 20th-June 22 (Apply here for Ada STEM location)
Atoka: July 24-July 26 (Apply here for Atoka STEM location)
Chisolm: July 10-July 12 (Apply here for Chisolm STEM location)
Oklahoma City (Autism-specific): July 6 for ages 14-17 & July 7 for ages 18-22 (Apply here for Autism-specific Oklahoma City STEM location)
Tulsa (Autism-specific): July 18 for ages 14-17 & July 19 for ages 18-22 (Apply here for Autism-specific Tulsa STEM location)
Tahlequah: June 6-June 8 (Apply here for Tahlequah STEM location)
Tulsa: June 26-June 28 (Apply here for Tulsa STEM location)
BEST STEP 2023
 BEST STEP is back. BEST stands for Building Employment Skills Today and STEP is our Summer Transition Employment Program.
Summer 2023 will offer another year of the popular program that includes job skills training, classroom instruction and internship or work experience in the community. This year, participants can choose to attend BEST (classroom) only or both BEST and STEP (classroom and work opportunity). The program consists of one week of classroom training and up to four weeks of paid work experience.
If you have any questions or would like to check on deadlines, please contact rsansom@okdrs.gov
Download Flyer here
Sooner Works Summer Camp
 Sooner Works is holding a residential college experience for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. This camp will take place the week of June 20-23, 2023. Participants will develop skills in career exploration, self-determination, college readiness, independent living, and workplace behavior. This camp is for eligible participants who are high school students diagnosed with an intellectual or developmental disability and it is free to Oklahoma residents. For more information, please email Sooner Works staff at soonerworks@ou.edu or call 405-325-4543.
Download the Sooner Works Summer Camp flyer here
Apply for Sooner Works Summer Camp here
VIBE 2023
 The Transition Visually Impaired and Blindness Empowerment (VIBE) Program, will be held from June 25 through June 30 this year, and will provide assessment and career/higher education exploration. This week-long program is designed to prepare the individual for higher education, competitive workforce and independent living to the best of their ability.
To learn more or for registration information, please contact your Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Counselor, or Deitra Woody at 405-522-3410 or Magan Rowan at 405-522-3380.
Download VIBE Flyer here
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Meet Cade
Last month, Transition Programs Field Representative, Stacey Dutton talked with Cade, a Senior at Southmoore High School in Moore. She learned a lot about him, including his love for music, theatre, and staying active. Cade is a great example of what it means to overcome challenges and reach goals. He is a very goal oriented and caring young man. We are excited to share his conversation with Stacey in this month's Student Spotlight. Here is how the conversation went:
What are your hobbies? I love the outdoors. I love hiking. I also love music and theater. I play the guitar and I come up with singer/songwriter songs.
What is your favorite summer activity and why? I love exploring the United States in the summer. Every summer my family and I take a 2-3 week trip. We plan to go to the Pacific Northwest and tour national parks.
If I gave you $50,000 to start your own business, what business would you start? I would start a record company. I would try to buy a bunch of vinyl records and sell them.
What is your dream job? I would love to be on Broadway and be a Broadway actor. I would love to express myself on the stage as a career not just as a hobby.
Do you work and if so, where are you currently working, What do you do there? And how did you get that job? I work at Oliveto Italian Bistro. I am a busser, cleaning tables, basic serving running drinks, setting tables, and getting things for customers in the entire restaurant. This is my first job and I have worked since May 2021. We asked about a potential job there and they told me and my parents what to do to apply and when to come in. I came in and I applied, interviewed, and I got the job.
What did you learn in BEST camp? Did anything you learn help you with your current job? The main thing I learned from BEST was self-advocacy and standing up for myself. I don’t have the personality to stand up for myself and I learned how to advocate for myself and my disability. In my job there was a point when I was not getting paid properly with tip-outs and I learned to stand up for myself and ask the right questions in order to get the tip-outs I deserved.
Can you tell me more about Tech Now and what are some projects you have worked on? I am technically not a student in Tech Now. I am an assistant in Tech Now as a job for Work Study. Some of the projects we do are building the nickel car, career posters about careers the students want to go into, seasonal posters, bracelets, buttons, magnets, and hand-bags. I help the students in the classroom with these projects.
Tell me about your experience with CAPE-YOUTH. I am one of the youth participants with CAPE-YOUTH. We work with policy-makers regarding youth with disabilities going into the workforce. We help find each area that needs to be worked on. The youth voice is very important because we are directly affected by these policies. I have done presentations with policy-makers talking about CAPE-YOUTH about what we do, and I have been able to have one-on-one discussions with policy-makers after presentations. My policy issue was online employment and how we need to give more availability for people with disabilities for online employment. The other CAPE-YOUTH participants have inspired me to be more outspoken in my community about people with disabilities.
What is one struggle you have had with your disability and how have you overcome it? I have a visual disability. I have no sight in my left eye and I have always had a struggle with getting my driver's license. I have had to come up with a way to see in my left eye to drive. I have added a mirror attached to my left side-view mirror on my car to help me see on my left side better and I am able to drive safer this way.
Do you have any advice for other students with disabilities? No matter what your disability is, don't let that discourage you for whatever you want. Don’t let your disability destroy your dreams. Advocate for yourself and learn how to speak out for accommodations that you need to be successful in life.
What is one thing you hope to achieve in your lifetime? I would love to have a career as an artist either on Broadway or as a musician. And if that doesn’t work out I also dream to successfully help people through social work.
What do you want the world to know about you? I would love the world to know that I care for this world and the people in it. I would hope that my positive impact would be felt throughout Oklahoma and the world. I want to make the world a better place through advocacy and social work. Also, I do not let my disability keep me down from my dreams as a performer and an artist.
Who would like to give a shoutout to? I would love to give a shout out to my dad. He has been incredible in helping me discover Tech-Now, BEST STEP, and other opportunities. He has helped me learn how to find a career for myself based on my personality and my interests. He’s been very supportive of my dreams and passions. He is my favorite person in the world and he’s an amazing father.
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Nominate Someone Today
If you know a current or former student who has participated in Transition events with DRS or who has found success through DRS Transition services, please let us know by submitting this nomination form.
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DRS Business Services Program
A program of Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Business Services Program (BSP) is a team of employment-focused professionals who are focused on connecting employers with some of their area's brightest and most highly motivated job seekers with disabilities.
Often overlooked, people with disabilities can be a great asset to employers. BSP staff stands ready to successfully bring the two groups together.
They do this by strengthening and helping maintain the knowledge of employers on a variety of disability-related employment topics, and by working with job seekers on critical job placement areas such as determining a career path, creating a resume, applying for a job, interviewing for a job, and excelling in the job.
If you are a job seeker with a disability looking for help with job placement, please contact your DRS Counselor about BSP services or inquire about our employment services at 800-487-4042.
If you are an employer looking to learn more about the advantages of hiring people with disabilities contact Yasmin Avila Guillen at yavilaguillen@okdrs.gov.
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Supporting Minorities with Disabilities Coalition
A Sooner Success initiative, the Supporting Minorities with Disabilities Coalition (SMWDC) has the goal of raising awareness of people of all abilities about aspects of life that relate to the intersection of 'minority status', socio-economic need and disability. Their mission is to strategically partner with Oklahoma organizations, agencies, community leadership, and stakeholders to improve services for traditionally underserved families. They do so by focusing on important areas such as promoting cultural awareness, strengthening parental support, conducting outreach, and helping others navigate the educational system.
They believe that through the unified voices of community members of all backgrounds, self-advocates, and families of individuals with disabilities, more will have the power to facilitate a better quality of life for their loved ones with disability-related challenges and create a plan for the future that is supported by their community.
Currently, they are placing special emphasis in the Oklahoma City metro area. To get connected with the SMWDC, please email Samantha at Samantha-Basave@ouhsc.edu
Or you can connect with them through social media on their Facebook page linked below:
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Sooner SUCCESS
Sooner SUCCESS is a statewide program. Their mission is to advance a comprehensive, unified system of health, social and educational services for Oklahoma Children and Youth with Special Needs through community based resource coordination. Contact them for more information at 1-877-441-0434.
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Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB)
Improving lives in our communities by building a quality workforce through education and creating connections between Job Seekers and Businesses. To get connected with COWIB, email yolandascott@cowib.org. or call 405-622-2026 extension 301.
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Melissa Bell is the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the Enid office. She has been with DRS for 10 months. She works with both adults and transition age youth with disabilities. She has a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling.
She was born and raised in Enid and has worked with individuals with disabilities in some capacity her entire career. She started out working in a Behavioral Health Hospital for children for five years while in college, she did school based mental health counseling for three years and worked as a special education paraprofessional for six years in an elementary school.
Most of her career has been working with children sixteen and younger so her role as a DRS Counselor has given her the opportunity to branch out and work with a new demographic. She enjoys working with individuals with disabilities and helping them better themselves and reach goals they once thought were unachievable.
She has a ten year old lab who is her “baby”. Melissa is a kind and knowledgeable professional who has brought a great deal of charisma and positivity to DRS. We are lucky to have her on our team!
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 Melissa Bell
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Vocational Rehabilitation
ph. (580) 233-0244
melissa.bell@okdrs.gov
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Christopher Lange is a Rehabilitation Technician in the Bartlesville office. He joined the DRS team in 2019 after earning an Art degree from Tulsa Community College. Originally from Alaska, he spent much of his life there and in Colorado before eventually moving to Oklahoma.
Christopher’s inspiration for serving youth with disabilities began at a young age when he would spend time with his grandmother, who was a foster parent for children with disabilities. As an adult, he learned what DRS does and decided that by joining the team he could carry on the legacy of his grandmother by doing everything he could to help young people with disabilities get connected with opportunities that lead to fulfilled lives.
Christopher spends a lot of time attending trainings and meetings, researching, and trying to stay aware of the most current and helpful resources for the youth he serves. He is truly a wealth of knowledge and has been an asset for many families and youth in Oklahoma. We are lucky to have him on our team!
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 Christopher Lange
Vocational Rehabilitation Technician
Vocational Rehabilitation
ph. (918) 283-8150
clange@okdrs.gov
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What is Transition?
The Transition Program provides services to prepare students with disabilities for employment and life after high school. Services may include career counseling, vocational evaluation, work adjustment training, on-the-job training, work-study, and job development and placement. The Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired divisions jointly run the Transition program so the youth can easily move into adult services when it is time.
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We can help create the blueprint for your youth’s success |
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