View as a webpage / Share  |  Foreign language options

YOUTH, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND COUNSELORS

BEST STEP Recap

Although BEST STEP is one summer program, it is offered in a way that can resemble two separate programs. The first week, BEST, is a week-long classroom session where students with disabilities get to interact with their peers and learn about how to prepare for life after high school. For this week, they will learn from some of the state's most talented transition-focused professionals, Pre-ETS Specialists. Students will have the opportunity to work in a paid internship through the STEP portion of the program after successfully completing the week of BEST.

Some preliminary numbers for BEST STEP 2024 have become available. This year, over 400 students with disabilities were served through BEST. This includes locations in 30 locations (27 towns), covering 21 counties across the state. Eight of these locations were established this year; allowing many traditionally underserved areas in rural and southern Oklahoma to access this popular summer program for the first time. The new locations were a huge success thanks to a partnership with Kiamichi Technology Center, who identified new opportunities for expansion. Partnerships with Central Technology Center and with the University of Oklahoma National Center for Disability Employment and Training (NCDET) were also critical for successful delivery of BEST this year. 

Many of these students were able to work through the STEP portion of the program in a paid summer internship where they got to put to work what they learned in the BEST portion of the summer. Hundreds of students with disabilities participated in STEP internships. The STEP portion was a success because of strategic partnerships with DRS. The Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB), Southern Workforce Board (SWB), NCDET, and Oklahoma Career Tech's Central and Kiamichi campuses all played important roles in coordinating this unique internship program. These groups worked closely with employers in the communities surrounding this year's BEST locations. Businesses were able to see the value in hiring STEP interns. For that, we are thankful.

This summer, students with disabilities learned new skills and practiced what they learned. We are excited that so many people had a great summer through the BEST STEP program Each year, we hope to expand BEST STEP into new areas and by including relevant curriculum that translates to successful transitions for students with disabilities. 

Stay Up-to-date with Transition

August 2024: OKCPS Back to School Bash

OKCPS will host two Back to School Bash community events to provide families with the information, resources and direct services they need for a successful school year. The goal of this event is to bring our community partners and families together for opportunities to enroll, receive no-cost medical and health screenings, register for after-school programs, receive free resources, and more!

Douglass High School

Date: August 3, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

US Grant High School

Date: August 10, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

August 2024: Purcell Back 2 School Bash

______________________

❤HEART OF OKLAHOMA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BACK 2 SCHOOL BASH

______________________

This event is located in downtown Purcell (2nd and Main) by McClain Bank, on Saturday, August 3rd, from 5:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.

Services

They will offer a wide range of services to support local businesses, including educational workshops, networking events, and marketing assistance. Our goal is to provide the resources and support that businesses need to succeed.

Impact

Since their founding in 1995, Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce has played a crucial role in promoting economic development in the local area. Their work has helped to create jobs, attract investment, and support local businesses.

August 2024: Back 2 School Fill the Bus in Oklahoma City

Hosted by the GNWY Internship. Back 2 School Fill the Bus event will be held on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 5:00p.m. at Indoor Soccer Arena. Address is 100 N McCormick Ave, Oklahoma City, OK  73127

FREE event is kid friendly and will have bounce houses and food trucks. Come check it out!

August 2024: OSU-Tulsa Back to School Bash

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa is hosting its fourth annual Community Back to School Bash from 5 to 7 p.m., Aug. 6, where families of students grades Pre-K through 12 can get free school supplies, enjoy live entertainment and learn about programs and services to help everyone have a successful school year.

“This event has become a cherished tradition in their community, providing essential school supplies to students in need,” said Alnetta Morris, community engagement coordinator at OSU-Tulsa. “Last year, thanks to our community’s incredible generosity, they were able to pass out over 500 backpacks filled with supplies. This year, they aim to surpass that number and make an even greater impact.”

Participants are invited to go through the booths in OSU-Tulsa’s Main Hall, collecting backpacks, school supplies and information about various helpful programs and services available to them. Members of the OSU-Tulsa Police, Tulsa Police Department, EMSA, Tulsa Fire Department, and City of Tulsa Water and Sewer Department will be at the event for families to meet and ask questions. Free immunizations provided by the Tulsa Health Department will also be available.

The event is designed to be fun family atmosphere for everyone, with local school bands, dance groups and youth organizations performing in OSU-Tulsa’s parking lot C. DJ J Soule will also be playing music for the crowd and the Tulsa Fire Department will allow families the opportunity to get a closer look at one of their fire trucks.

“When we seize the opportunity to step up and help those in our community in need, they are accomplishing OSU-Tulsa’s core purpose: preparing future leaders, scholars and workers by ensuring they have the tools to succeed in school now, and in the future,” said Craig Freeman, interim vice provost and dean of the College of Professional Studies at OSU-Tulsa.

The fourth annual Community Back to School Bash is sponsored by Chase Bank and the Alpha XI Sigma Tulsa alumnae chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. For questions about the Back to School Bash, contact Morris at alnetta@okstate.edu.

August 2024: Bartlesville 2024 5K/Fun Run Back to School Bash

The Delaware Tribe of Indians will hold a “Back to School Bash” 5K Race and Fun Run on Saturday August 10, 2024. The events will be start at the Delaware Tribe of Indians Complex at 5100 Tuxedo Blvd. in Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006. The 5K will kick off at 7:30 A.M., with the Fun Run/Walk following at 7:45 A.M., There will be a registration fee of $30 for the 5K or $20 for the Fun Run/Walk (both fees include a t-shirt!). You may register online at https://www.runsignup.com. For more information call (918) 337-6586 or email Cody Blackmon at cblackmon@delawaretribe.org.

August 2024: Back to School Bash in Tulsa

For children and youth with special healthcare needs. in the Tulsa community and surrounding areas. This event will feature organizations that offer services and resources to youth with special healthcare needs. Highlights include backpacks, school supplies, community vendors, community resources, food and drinks, snow cones, live DJ with music, giveaways, kidz zone, family fun, and more!

Date and Time:
August 17, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location:
BS Roberts Park; 901 N Greenwood Ave, Tulsa, OK 74106

October 2024: Family Caregiver Respite Retreat

Sunday, October 20 - Tuesday, October 22, 2024

A weekend retreat for those identified as primary caregivers of children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. All caregivers in southern Oklahoma (counties include McCurtain, LeFlore, Choctaw, Pushmataha, Latimer, Pittsburg, Atoka, Bryan, Hughes, Seminole, Pottawatomie, Cleveland, McClain, Garvin, Stephens, Comanche, Cotton, Kiowa, Tillman, Greer, Jackson, Harmon) supporting an individual with I/DD will be eligible regardless of their current status in seeking support services for their care receiver. Please contact Jenifer Randle at jenifer.randle@okdhs.org if you have any questions.

Family caregivers will enjoy an all expenses paid weekend at Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Meals and respite voucher for the weekend are included. Optional outdoor activities (horseshoes, canoes, disc golf, fishing) as well as an outdoor painting activity, weather permitting. 

If interested, and live in one of the counties listed above, please apply by clicking the link below or by scanning the QR Code in the image above.

Click here to apply

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

Meet Jeremiah 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, we shine the spotlight on Jeremiah, a high school student in Tulsa. He and Tracy Keely talked about life, staying active, how to be ready for the transition from school to becoming an independent young adult. Here is how the conversation went. What are your interests and hobbies? I enjoy watching movies. What activity do you enjoy the most during the summer? I favorite activity this summer has been working at the Tulsa Dream Center. What is your preferred summer drink? My favorite drink in the summer is Gator Aid. 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 like to build an activity center just like the Tulsa Dream Center. Have you ever had any prior work experiences or volunteer opportunities? No. Could you share your experience with the BEST STEP program? This summer I worked at the Tulsa Dream Center.  I clean up the grounds, sweep the gym, help in the food pantry.  I also help loading up things for student trips. What is something you learned from the BEST STEP program? I learned how to have and work at a great job. What are your plans after you complete BEST STEP? I will be a Senior in high school. What is your dream career? My dream career is running a community center.  I like talking to people and helping them. What advice or tips would you like to share with other youth? My advice to other youth is to always keep trying new things. What is the most significant goal or dream you wish to achieve in your lifetime? I want to graduate from high school and start working at a full-time job. What would you like the world to know about you? I like helping people.   Is there anyone specific you’d like to give a shoutout to? I would love to give a shoutout to my supervisor at the Tulsa Dream Center, Mr. Larry Harris.

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

Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (OLBPH)

Did you know Oklahoma has a statewide, free library service for people who can’t use traditional books or struggle with standard print? The Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (OLBPH) has a huge collection of audiobooks and electronic braille – more than 100,000 titles, including all kinds of fiction and nonfiction! The OLBPH serves Oklahomans of all ages with a wide variety of vision impairments and disabilities. Some patrons have a physical condition that makes it uncomfortable or impossible to hold a traditional book or turn the pages. Others have reading disabilities and find much more success with audiobooks.

Many patrons get their audiobooks and magazines through the mail in the form of digital cartridges. The cartridges are heard through a player  provided by OLBPH at free of charge to the users.

Patrons who use a computer, tablet, or smartphone have the option of downloading books and magazines and listening through their personal devices.

OLBPH has an education-focused program called the Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) Center that serves Oklahoma students and children from birth through the 12th grade. They provide assistive technology, accessible textbooks, and other educational materials. The library also has a state-of-the-art digital recording studio and a dial-up service for patrons to hear newspaper content from several Oklahoma publications over their phones. And it’s all FREE! For more information about OLBPH and how to use its free services, call 1-800-523-0288, 
email olbph@okdrs.gov, or visit www.olbph.org.

OLBPH is a program under the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) assist students with a documented disability, ages 14-21 and enrolled in an Oklahoma school system, to explore, discover, increase awareness, and prepare for post-secondary training/education and/or employment. Pre-ETS activities focus on job exploration, work-based learning, workplace readiness, self-advocacy and post-secondary education counseling.

For more information or to get connected, please contact:

Dr. Annie Baghdayan

abaghda1@ou.edu

Meet Kasey

Kasey Rhoads is a Pre-Employment Transition Specialist with the University of Oklahoma National Center for Disability Employment and Training (NCDET). She started in this role, which she calls her dream job, in January 2024. She is from Indiahoma and loves everything about being a native Oklahoman.

She always had a passion for befriending and helping others with unique/special needs. Growing up, one of her closest friends, Brittany, had special needs. Kasey says that the time they spent hanging out gave her great perspective and helped her develop appreciation for those who face disability-related challenges.  

Kasey’s career goal was to become a School Counselor. She wanted to work with students with disabilities to help them realize their potential and plan for their future beyond high school.

Amazingly, she was introduced to the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) field of work, which centers around preparing youth with disabilities.

Kasey loves animals and has many of them. She is also in school currently pursuing a master’s degree.  She is looking forward to learning more about the world of Pre-ETS and growing in her current position – even as she obtains her graduate degree. Kasey is a dedicated and passionate lifelong learner who brings stability, knowledge, and personal experience to Pre-ETS. We are lucky to have her as part of the team.

Kasey Rhoads
Pre-Employment Transition Specialist

University of Oklahoma

ph. 405-325-2218

kasey.rhoads@ou.edu

Meet Katie

Katie Sims is a Work Skills Trainer with the University of Oklahoma National Center for Disability Employment and Training (NCDET).

She is from Noble and has been in her role for nearly a year and a half. Katie has been thriving as a professional who works closely with Oklahoma students with disabilities.  

She is inspired to work in this field because she believes every young person should have the kind of support system that allows them to reach their goals and become whatever they want to become in life.

Katie enjoys spending quality time with her own children. She helps coach her daughter’s softball team, which takes up a good deal of her time. But she would not change that for anything.

 Katie believes in the potential of all students. She is committed to the work of helping students with disabilities develop skills that will help them transition into their post-high school lives. For that we are thankful. Katie is hard working, compassionate and capable. We are lucky to have her as part of the team.

Katie Sims

Work Skills Trainer

University of Oklahoma

ph. 405-325-1478 

katie.sims@ou.edu

Grant Opportunities

Here are some exciting grant opportunities to be aware of:

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation

• Provides National Grants for innovative model projects of national scope focused on its vision to empower youth with disabilities to lead productive lives through increased employment.
• Nonprofit organizations can review MEAF’s priorities and guidelines and take an eligibility quiz to see if they qualify to apply for a grant.
• Visit https://us.mitsubishielectric.com/en/sustainability/greater-community/meaf-grant/index.html for more information about the program.

U.S General Services Administration Computers for Learning Program

• K-12 educators can apply for this computer grant, which aims to provide students in disadvantaged communities with equipment for their schools.
• Applications are accepted throughout the school year.
• Visit https://computersforlearning.gov/cfl/home for more information about the program.

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:

Renee 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