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YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS |
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Mark Your Calendars
BEST STEP 2024 is coming. BEST STEP is a summer program for students with disabilities (age 16-21) focused on developing job skills. It can be thought of as being a combination of two different programs - BEST (Building Employment Skills for Today), which is a one week program set in the classroom and STEP (Summer Transition Employment Program), which is an (up to four week) paid internship where participants can work for employers in their community.
In BEST, the week will be led by Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) professionals. The lessons that will be taught are intended to prepare participants for success on the job. Successful completion of BEST should lead to successful internships for those who participate in STEP.
STEP is optional. Not everyone who participates in BEST will participate in STEP. Factors such as ability for participants to supply their own transportation, available participating employers in an area of the state, the job interest of the participant, the capability of the participant, the participant's career goals and how all of these things align will help determine which participants would benefit from STEP. In STEP, participants will be assigned to staff who will help guide them along the way throughout the internship with the goal of making the experience truly beneficial.
To participate in BEST STEP, there are a few things to know. First, the student will need to apply. After applying, the BEST STEP selection staff, comprised of Pre-ETS and DRS staff in each respective area will consider all who have applied. They will then conduct a follow up with applicants, as appropriate, with details for the next stages of the process.
There are limited spots available in each location. We strongly encourage students to get their applications in now before locations are full.
Applications opened earlier this year. Since December, many students have been applying. Not all specific locations have been determined. Over the next couple of months, however, more locations will be identified, and the details will be available online (see link below).
It is very important to look at the application deadline because it may be different from location to location. For some locations, the deadline to apply is February 16, 2024, while others will accept applications until March 31, 2024. Applying before the deadline indicated by each respective location will help BEST STEP staff make the best selections for their areas. Next steps of the process should take place through April. Some BEST STEP locations start as early as June 3rd, 2024. It is important to have the application submitted, to respond to staff reaching out with next steps, and to have required items such as ID, etc. ready to go before BEST STEP begins.
If you have any questions about BEST STEP or the application process, please email Renee Sansom Briscoe at RSansom@okdrs.gov.
Interested in BEST STEP 2024? Click here to see location details and apply
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February 2024 - Inclusive Black History Month Celebration
 The Inclusive Black History Month Celebration will be a great way to recognize Black History Month in 2024. Sooner Success will be taking the lead through this event by celebrating the rich history and the many contributions of the African American/Black community with disabilities through art.
Date and Time:
February 25, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m.
Location:
Willa D Recreation Center
909 Frederick Douglass Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73117
To register as an
- Attendee
- Vendor
- Participant
- Volunteer
Click here to register for the Inclusive Black History Month Celebration
For Questions or special accommodations contact: Mayra Rocha (Coalition Chair)
Mayra-Rocha@ouhsc.edu 405-534-8000.
March 2024 - People With Disabilities Awareness Day
 Are you ready to network? Celebrate outstanding accomplishments? If so, join us for People with Disabilities Awareness Day on March 5, 2024 from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma History Center.
Let's take action! Plan on coming, bring a friend or two and network with the more than 70 disability-centric exhibitors. They bring a wealth of information and might introduce you to new programs.
Celebrate success! Stay and congratulate our Awareness Day Award Winners.
We are back at the Oklahoma History Center and the event is free to all who want to attend. The venue is ideal for talking with exhibitors and an outstanding place to showcase the award winners.
Date and Time:
March 5, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. through 4:30 p.m.
Location:
Oklahoma History Center
800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
If you have any questions or need help registering, please call us at (405) 951-3478 or email cmartin@okdrs.gov.
Click here to learn more and register for People With Disabilities Awareness Day
March 2024 - Disability at Work: Thrive Forum 2024
 The Disability at Work: Thrive Forum 2024 is a crucial business summit highlighting the substantial benefits and return on investment tied to disability employment. Through storytelling from successful people with disabilities, employment professionals, partners, and businesses, the business community in OK will learn how embracing a wider variety of populations into their workforce positively impacts both their bottom line and the communities to which they provide goods and services.
Date and Time:
March 28, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.
Location:
Oklahoma History Center
800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Click here to register as a guest for Disability at Work: Thrive Forum 2024
Click here to register as a vendor at Disability at Work: Thrive Forum 2024
Tulsa Area and Oklahoma City Area Transition Fairs
 NEW resource! Anyone can learn about transition (resource) fairs happening in both the Greater Tulsa and the Greater Oklahoma City areas. The calendars can be accessed from a computer through the following links:
Click here for Tulsa area transition fairs
Click here for Oklahoma City area transition fairs
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Meet Tamara
So many young people across Oklahoma are doing amazing things. Tracy Keeley and Kevin Randall work nonstop searching for stories of successful students with disabilities so we can share their journeys and brag about them. Student success is perhaps the main reason many of us do what we do. One example of student success is Tamara Rayos. Tamara is a student in the OU Sooner Works program. Recently, Kevin Randall met with Tamara to talk with her about her experiences, her perspective, and how she has found success through Transition services and resources. Tamara has a lot of great things to talk about. We are excited to share their conversation here. Here is what they talked about:
What are your interests and hobbies?
I enjoy organizing things, watching Hallmark movies, and listening to Pentatonix, an American a cappella group from Arlington, Texas. Pentatonix is known for their pop-style arrangements featuring vocal harmonies, basslines, riffing, percussion, and beatboxing. They create cover versions of contemporary pop songs or Christmas tunes, often presented in medleys, in addition to producing original material.
What activity do you enjoy the most during the winter?
During my winter breaks from school, I find joy in spending time with my family, and I also enjoy munching on ice.
What is your preferred winter drink?
I like drinking strong and hot coffee during the winter days.
If I were to provide you with $50,000 to create a positive impact in your community, how would you use it to bring about meaningful change?
I would distribute the funds among fellow students with disabilities who wish to participate in the Sooner Works program. I intend to offer them scholarships to facilitate their attendance in the program.
Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities?
During my high school years, I volunteered at the food bank where I gained experience in packaging and delivering food to families in need.
Could you share your experience with the Sooner Works program?
Sooner Works has provided me with valuable cooking skills, and my favorite dishes to cook is spaghetti. I find pleasure in both the classroom and social interactions with my classmates. I often assist them with homework challenges. Sooner Works plays a role in fostering my independence and preparing me for a career post-graduation. Being an early bird is essential in this program to ensure timely completion of tasks.
What is something you learned from the Sooner Works program?
I have had a great conversation with the Sooner Works director, who enlightened me on the importance of a healthy work-life balance. I enjoy the Sooner Works classroom lessons on money management, timekeeping, and navigating bus routes.
Having finished the Fall semester 2023 in the Sooner Works program, what are your plans for the upcoming Spring semester 2024 with Sooner Works?
Come Spring semester 2024, I'll be embarking on a new internship more aligned with my career goals. The insights gained from my Fall 2023 internship have clarified what I don't want in my career field. I'm particularly interested in undertaking interpreting roles for English and Spanish speakers.
What advice would you give to other young individuals who are interested in applying for the Sooner Works Program at OU?
For new students entering the Sooner Works program, it's important to apply for as many scholarships as possible. The students joining the program in fall 2024 must be prepared to complete assignments on time, and it's helpful if they are self-motivated to achieve their goals.
What is your dream career?
My dream career is to become a healthcare interpreter upon completing my schooling.
Can you share one challenge you've faced due to your disability and how you managed to overcome it?
I have faced discrimination because of my disability. In a previous work environment, a leader on my shift disclosed my disability to others without my consent. To address this, I overcame the challenge by filing a formal complaint to halt the discrimination against me and prevent others from facing similar mistreatment. The discrimination ceased immediately after I filed the complaint.
What advice do you have for young people who want to make a positive impact in their communities or the world at large?
I aspire to make a positive impact in the lives of others. I envision establishing a coalition for both current and alumni students of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE). This coalition aims to assist current IPSE students and their families in successfully navigating the program.
What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?
I aim to increase the participation of students and their parents in the IPSE programs, with a specific focus on the Sooner Works program.
What would you like the world to know about you?
I want the world to know that I am a diligent student, dedicated to my work, and always open to seeking assistance when facing challenges.
Is there anyone specific you'd like to give a shoutout to?
I'd like to express my gratitude to DRS, my parents, and Sooner Works. I want to thank them for supporting my independence and for helping me discover scholarships that bring me closer to my future career.
Serving and inspiring Oklahoma's students with disabilities is our passion; our purpose. Each month, we hope to highlight a student whose story encourages others.
We have learned that one of the best ways to hear about our most amazing students is from those that spend time with them everyday. So, we encourage family members, education professionals and transition professionals to tell us about students who are doing amazing things.
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How to nominate a Student:
If you know a current or former student who has participated in Transition events or who has found success through Transition services, please let us know by submitting this nomination form.
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Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB)
Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB) is one of six local workforce development boards in Oklahoma. COWIB serves Canadian, Cleveland, Hughes, Lincoln, Logan, Okfuskee, Oklahoma, Seminole, and Pottawatomie counties. The youth program is designed to assist youth and young adults with one or more barriers to employment. Their ultimate goal is for the youth and young adults to secure employment with career and promotional opportunities. Their career navigators assist clients in mapping out their career path towards attaining this goal. Some of the services they offer include career guidance, career exploration, work skills training, tuition assistance for post-secondary occupational skills training, paid internships, on the job training, and supportive services.
The Youth Program is divided into two categories: Out-of-School Youth (OSY) (between the ages of 16 – 24) and In-School Youth (ISY) (between the ages of 14 – 21).
Eligibility for each program is as follows:
Out of School Youth
· 16-24 years of age
· Not attending any school
· At least one of the following must apply:
- Individual with a disability
- School dropout
- Within the age of compulsory school attendance, but has not attended school for at least the most recent complete school year calendar quarter
- Low- income individual and is either an English language learner or basic skills deficient
- An offender
- A homeless youth or a runaway youth
- In foster care or has aged out of the foster care system
- Pregnant or parenting
- An individual who is low income and “requires additional assistance” to enter or complete an educational program or to secure or hold employment as follows:
- A youth with a parent or legal guardian that is currently or previously incarcerated for a felony conviction;
- A youth with a parent or legal guardian who lacks a high school diploma or GED;
- Who attends or has attended a chronically underperforming/low performing school listed on the State Department of Education website; or
- A youth between 18 – 24 years of age with a pattern of Poor Work History. Poor work history includes non-reoccurring employment income and sporadic employment.
In School Youth (primarily focused on High School Seniors and 2nd year Career Tech students)
· Attending school (as defined by State law), including secondary and postsecondary school
· 14-21 years of age
· Low Income; and
· At least one of the following must apply:
- Basic Skills Deficient
- An English Language Learner
- An offender
- A homeless youth or runaway youth
- In foster care or has aged out of the foster care system
- Pregnant or parenting
- Individual with a disability
- Meet the requirement of “Needs Additional Assistance”
If you serve youth and young adults 16-24, give COWIB a call to discuss ways they can assist.
Yolanda Scott M.Ed.
yolandascott@cowib.org
405-622-2026
Click here to find the workforce development board in your area.
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Oklahoma School for the Blind
Located in Muskogee, the Oklahoma School for the Blind (OSB), also known as Parkview School, provides residential and day education, and outreach programs at no charge for Oklahoma children who are blind or visually impaired from infancy through 12th grade. OSB's goal is to help students reach their maximum potential.
OSB offers a comprehensive curriculum of reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, physical education, music and computer science for residential and day students. Specialized instruction includes braille, orientation and mobility, optimum use of low vision, adaptive equipment and technology, and tactile graphic skills.
The secondary school program includes college preparation, vocational training and a work-study program. In addition, students may receive assessment, counseling, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, hearing tests and health care services. Recreational activities include student organizations and interscholastic athletics.
Check out this Information for Parents document to find out about the specialized services OSB provides for Oklahoma's children who are blind or visually impaired. OSB programs serve students on campus as well as those attending school in their home communities. Open the Information for Parents PDF file or Information for Parents Word file.
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Grant Opportunities
Here are some exciting grant opportunities to be aware of:
Association of American Educators Foundation Classroom Grant
- Grants are available for up to $500. Due to an increase in application submissions, grants are highly competitive and they can only provide funds to a fraction of those who apply.
- Classroom grants can be used for a variety of projects and materials including, but not limited to, books, software, calculators, math manipulatives, art supplies, audio-visual equipment, and lab materials. Funds must be used within one year of the application deadline.
- Classroom grants are available to all full-time educators who have not received a scholarship or grant from AAE in the past two years. Awards are competitive. AAE members receive additional weight in the scoring rubric.
- Grant application can be found at https://www.aaeteachers.org/index.php/classroom-grant-application
- Application deadline is currently listed as Spring: March 1st and Autumn: October 1st.
Walmart Local Community Grants
- Local Community grants range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5000.
- Applications may be submitted at any time during each quarter funding cycle. All applications will be reviewed prior to the next funding cycle.
- Grant applications can be found at https://walmart.org/how-we-give/local-community-grants
- Application deadline is currently listed as:
- Quarter 1: February 1 – April 15
- Quarter 2: May 1 – July 15
- Quarter 3: August 1 – October 15
- Quarter 4: November 1 – December 31
Special Education Foundation Adaptive & Assistive Equipment Grants
- The aim of the Foundation is to enhance the education or the independence of students or to improve their quality of life through these grants.
- Specialized equipment and other needs for students with disabilities include, but are not limited to: augmentative communication devices; adaptive equipment; hearing aids; and eyeglasses.
- Applications MUST be submitted by the student’s teacher. Once the application has been reviewed and confirmed an eligible request, the parent/guardian will receive an email from SEF to complete and submit their application.
- Grant applications can be found at https://sef-stl.org/what-we-do/adaptive-assistive-equipment.html .
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Applications are considered on an ongoing basis.
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Melissa Newton is a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor in the Bartlesville office. She has been a member of the DRS team since 2014. In her years as a VR professional she has made a positive impact on many Oklahomans by helping them discover their own strengths. Melissa is honest, happy, and trustworthy. She is a funny, fun-loving person who is very passionate about staying active and being outside. She loves riding horses, hunting, and fishing.
Like many who work in a field focused on helping people, Melissa family centered. One of her proudest moments as a parent was hearing her daughter tell her she has been a good mom. Some fun facts about Melissa are that she is a Neil Diamond fan, and she does not love folding socks.
Melissa gives her all to serving youth with disabilities in Oklahoma. She is a team player who can be counted on consistently. We are lucky to have her as part of our team.
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 Melissa Newton
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Vocational Rehabilitation
ph. 918-397-2253
MNewton@okdrs.gov
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Claudia Otto, PhD is the statewide Oklahoma Transition Teams Coordinator for the University of Oklahoma and the National Center on Disability Education and Training (NCDET).
In her 20 year career she has worked at the secondary level as a special education English teacher, as a Disability Services Specialist, as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the College of Education and Human Sciences, and as an Educational Consultant.
Dr. Otto has presented sessions for families in both English and Spanish. She is passionate about the work she does for students with disabilities and/or language barrier learning needs. She is an amazing person and a dedicated professional. We are lucky to have her on our team.
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 Claudia Otto, PhD
Transition Teams Coordinator
University of Oklahoma
claudia.c.otto-1@ou.edu
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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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