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YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS

What a Phenomenal School Year

Thank you for another amazing school year. Schools and districts across Oklahoma shown great dedication to students with disabilities. DRS is proud to work closely with schools and school districts whenever it is possible. This year, we have been able to leverage these partnerships to provide unique opportunities to students with disabilities through programs like Work Adjustment Training and School Work Study. In the 2024-25 school year, hundreds of schools and districts used SWS and WAT. This allowed students to learn valuable job and life readiness skills that should stay with them as they transition into the next phases of life.

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) is helping students with disabilities in many areas of the state Hundreds of schools and school districts have welcomed Pre-ETS team members into their classrooms to teach important lessons in self-advocacy, job exploration, work-based learning, post-secondary education, and workplace readiness. This year, we saw the emergence of Central Tech and Kiamichi Tech in the delivery of Pre-ETS curriculum. These new teams in addition to the great work being done by the University of Oklahoma Pre-ETS team is allowing students in all areas of the state to experience growth that will last a lifetime. 

Project SEARCH is another program that is changing lives. Through Project SEARCH, students with disabilities learn real world job skills while working as interns with popular host businesses in their community. Many Career Tech and K-12 school districts partner with Project SEARCH, which helps students get connected with the program.

Things are headed in the right direction in Oklahoma for students with disabilities and that is one of the most exciting parts of this past school year. Even with all that was accomplished, DRS expects growth in how many Career Tech districts, and K-12 schools and school districts we are partnering with. Through the successful completion of SWS, WAT, and Pre-ETS lessons, the positive impact will be undeniable. Our expectation is that even more students with disabilities experience growth in the 2024-2025 school year.

Stay Up-to-date with Transition

Summer 2024: STEM Camp

TechNow STEM Camp is open to Oklahoma students with disabilities, ages 14-19 who are on an IEP or 504 Plan or who have other documented physical, mental, or cognitive disabilities. At STEM Camp, students will learn different ways to interact with computers, software, and related technologies to design and create: Power Racer dragster, HT Racer, full color patches for jackets, pants, and shirts.

They will get to make shirts, hats, mouse pads, pin back buttons, and bracelets. Students will develop new skills while interacting with peers and making memories that will last a lifetime. The camp is held from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. over three days. Below are the dates and locations of the currently planned STEM Camps for Summer 2024:

Ada STEM Camp:

Monday – Wednesday, June 10-12, 2024

Ada-Pontotoc Technology Center

601 W. 33rd St., Ada, OK 74820

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Ada STEM Camp Flyer

Lawton STEM Camp:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, June 17, 18, 20, 2024

Life Ready Center

702 NW Homestead Dr,

Lawton, OK 73505

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Lawton STEM Camp Flyer

Tulsa STEM Camp

Monday – Wednesday, June 24-26, 2024

Central Church of the Nazarene

7291 East 81st Street, Tulsa, OK, 74133

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Tulsa STEM Camp Flyer

Davis STEM Camp:

Tuesday – Thursday, July 9-11, 2024

Davis High School

400 E. Atlanta St.

Davis, OK 73030

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Davis STEM Camp Flyer

Atoka STEM Camp:

Monday – Wednesday, July 22-24, 2024

Atoka-Kiamichi Technology Center

1763 W. Liberty Rd., Atoka, OK 74525

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Atoka STEM Camp Flyer

Skiatook STEM Camp:

Monday – Wednesday, July 15-17, 2024

Newman Middle School Gymnasium

2000 W. Oak St.

Skiatook, OK 74070

From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Click here to download Skiatook STEM Camp Flyer

Summer Sibling Camp Looking for Volunteers*

Sooner SUCCESS will be hosting our 3rd annual Sibling Camp on May 29-
31st in Wewoka, Oklahoma. They are looking for highly motivated volunteers
who want to create a fun and engaging space for people with
intellectual/developmental disabilities and/or special health care needs.

What Volunteers do:
Provide one on one support and assistance
Play games, STEM/outdoor activities
Arts and crafts
Eat delicious food
Help campers have a great experience

*Requirements:
18+ years of age
Must pass a background check
Will work with people with special healthcare needs and/or sibling

If you are interested in volunteering, you can sign up online using the link below or by contacting Samantha Basave at Samantha-basave@ouhsc.edu or by phone at 405-593-9266.

Click here to sign up as a volunteer for 2024 Sibling Camp

Summer 2024: Visually Impaired and Blindness Empowerment (VIBE)

The Transition VIBE Program provides 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. Lessons will include independent living skills, interviewing/interviews, communication skills, technology, team building, resume skills, travel/transportation, and more. VIBE takes place June 23 – June 28, 2024.

To sign up or for more information, contact your DRS Counselor or or Deitra Woody at 405-522-3410 or Magan Rowan at 405-522-3380.

Click here to download the VIBE 2024 flyer

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 

Student/Youth Spotlight

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. This month, Tracy Keeley interviewed Ronald Lee, a recent graduate of Altus High School who is a great example of student success. Here is their conversation: What are your interests and hobbies? I enjoy playing video games and watching television. My favorite show is Sponge Bob. What activity do you enjoy the most during the winter?  In the winter, I enjoy spending time outdoors. What is your preferred winter drink?  My favorite winter drink is hot chocolate without marshmallows. 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 help my sister and put the rest in a bank. Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities?  In high school, I was a football manager where I helped the team with water. I also worked in the library helping to keep it clean. Could you share your experience with the Project SEARCH program?  I enjoyed working in the cafeteria while in the Project SEARCH program.  I really enjoyed the different activities I was able to do within that one department. What is something you learned from the Project SEARCH program?  The project the Project SEARCH program has helped me understand that there are so many more activities to do within a department than I ever imagined. What are your plans after you complete the Project SEARCH program?  Working at Wal-Mart or Lowe’s after completing the Project Search program. What is your dream career?  Working at Lowe’s. Can you share one challenge you've faced due to your disability and how you managed to overcome it?  Time management.  I have overcome my trouble with time management by trying to be more mindful of time and setting timers to help stay on time. What advice or tips would you like to share with other youth that may be interested in the Project Search program? Get your job done and work in a hospital. What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime?  My biggest dream is to work with the OSU football team. What would you like the world to know about you?  I am a very hard worker.

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.

Transition Resources

Tech-Now

Founded in 1999, the mission of Tech-Now is to empower students with disabilities to make positive career choices that will allow them to lead productive and prosperous lives. 

Tech-Now Inc. partners with schools across Oklahoma to offer a computer applications class that goes far beyond using a word processor and media presentation application. The curricula are designed to meet international and state technology standards with an emphasis on pre-employment transition services.

The activities begin with individual technical skills development for simple assignment projects, and progress into the employment simulation which requires multiple team members, duty assignments, and team organization.  These assignments allow for soft skills development and practice, and are often the first employment related skills practice the individuals experience. 

The final step to Tech-Now’s approach to pre-employment skills development is the micro business. The businesses showcase the students’ skills by offering student created products for sale. Via the micro businesses students also gain some on the job experiences that will be essential to their first job successes.

They are always interested in adding additional program sites to the Tech-Now family.  Schools looking for a computer applications class that is project based and goes a long way in helping students on an IEP or 504 Plan develop marketable skills can contact: tech-now@hotmail.com

Pervasive Parenting Center

The Pervasive Parenting Center is a non-profit organization that launched in January 2014 to help families in eastern Oklahoma find resources available for people living with autism and other disabilities. They are partially funded by a grant from the U. S. Department of Education. Services include Autism Screenings, Social Group, Parent Support Groups, Disability Trainings, Peer Mentoring, IEP assistance and training, Sibshops, etc.

If you have questions, please contact Kodey Toney by phone at 918-647-1255 or by email at ktoney@pervasiveparentingcenter.org. Even more information is available on their website or by connecting with them on their Facebook page.

Grant Opportunities

Here are some exciting grant opportunities to be aware of:

Samsung: Solve for Tomorrow Contest

• Each year Samsung hosts a $2 million national competition where students are asked to consider how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can be used to create change in their communities.
• Visit www.samsung.com/solve to take the first step by signing-up to become part of the competition.

The Awesome Foundation Grant

• The Awesome Foundation is a global community advancing the interest of awesome in the universe $1000 at a time.
• Visit https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/submissions/new to apply for an Awesome Grant.

Meet Jessie

Jessie Renteria is a Rehabilitation Technician in Oklahoma City. She has been with the DRS team since 2015. She works with clients of all ages and is one of the most engaged and involved DRS team members when it comes to participating in Transition events and activities.

She demonstrates enthusiasm and passion for serving students with disabilities. When asked about why she loves what she does Jessie said, "Seeing excitement on their faces when they learn they can have any job they want is the highlight of my day."

Jessie and her husband are raising four daughters, so they live very busy and fulfilled lives. Between soccer, going to cookouts, going on family outings, and going shopping, there is always plenty going on in Jessie's time away from work.

Having people on our team who genuinely love their job is what allows DRS to fulfill our mission. Jessie is an outstanding team member who is committed to the important work we do. We are lucky to have her on the team. 

Jessie Renteria
Rehabilitation Technician

Vocational Rehabilitation

ph. 405-635-8214

jrenteria@okdrs.gov

Meet Skylar

Skylar Bell is a Pre-Employment Transition Specialist at Kiamichi Technology Center. She began working in her role in July of 2023 and is loving her job. Previously, Skylar worked as a public-school classroom teacher in both elementary and middle school settings and spent time working with high school students involved with the Cheer program. In her nearly ten years working in public education, she learned that she had a calling to help students prepare for a bright future. So, if there is something Skylar knows well, it is helping students with their transition to their next phases of life.  Skylar has said that one of her favorite things about working in education is that she gets to interact with so many students with different backgrounds and personalities.  She thrives from the fact that in this field of work, no two days look the same. Skylar tells us that when it comes to working with Transition aged students, “It is very rewarding to know you have the potential to impact their future.” Skylar is a smart, thoughtful, and dedicated professional with a long, bright future ahead of her. We are lucky she is part of our team serving Oklahoma’s students with disabilities.

Skylar Bell
Pre-Employment Transition Specialist

Kiamichi Tech

ph. 918-465-2323

sbell@ktc.edu

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.

Contact Us:

krandall@okdrs.govRenee Sansom Briscoe
rsansom@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-951-3488

Chris Compton
ccompton@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-605-9651

Tracy Keeley
Tracy.Keeley@okdrs.gov
Phone: 918-581-2322

Kevin Randall II 
krandall@okdrs.gov
Phone: 405-255-9663

We can help create the blueprint for your youth’s success