Getting ready for back to school, tips and reminders! 

It is hard to believe that our students will be heading back to school in just a few short weeks! We have some reminders and tips to make heading back to school successful for everyone. 

It is not too late to apply for Job Foundation! Job Foundation engages, connects, and gives students advanced prep by starting early in their second to last year of school. This occurs through discovery and the completion of a Job Foundation Report that includes actionable next steps for employment. Click here to learn more about Job Foundation and how to apply. 

Any student who participated in Job Foundation this past year is eligible for the School to Work program this fall. All students who have completed Job Foundation should have received a Welcome Letter for School to Work. Students who did NOT participate in Job Foundation should have received a letter to explain next steps for School to Work, or reasons why they might not be eligible for School to Work at this time. Please check your email. Click here to learn more about School to Work. 

DVR (Division of Vocational Rehabilitation) enrollment is a requirement to participate in School to Work in the 2025-2026 school year. If you have not yet met with your DVR counselor, make sure to do this right away. If you need help connecting to your DVR counselor, please let us know. We are here to support connections! 

Another great way to support your young adult in getting ready for school is with this helpful 4-week planner from Understood.org. It’s a useful resource for students of all ages - whether younger or older.

• Click here to view a sample of the 4-week planner.
• Click here to explore more school support resources from Understood.org.

Back-to-school starts now!

Currently Accepting Job Foundation and School to Work Applications

Attention 2027 Grads – Job Foundation is a program designed to help students and their team seamlessly move into their final year in Transition. A job coach will observe the student through a discovery process and compile the information in a report that is shared with the student’s team. The Job Foundation Report includes recommendations including actionable next steps needed for success. Job Foundation is available to students in their second year of Transition (ages 19 to 20 years old) and who are eligible with Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) (formally Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)). Students who participate in Job Foundation can move into School to Work in their final year of Transition. 

Attention 2026 Grads – Applications for School to Work are now open. This is an opportunity for your student to access the vital resources they will need once they graduate. The School to Work team will help explore opportunities for employment and the goal is to be employed before the student graduates, creating a smooth transition from “School to Work”.

For students who want to work and are interested in applying to the School to Work program, qualifiers are:

• Enrolled in DDCS (formally DDA)
• Have Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Selected 1st and 2nd choice for Employment Providers
• Currently 20-21 years of age

This team provides a network of people who are invested in the student's success and who will provide ongoing support during school and after graduation as long as needed. Please note, if you have participated in Job Foundation, you do not need to fill out a separate application for School to Work. If you completed a Job Foundation application but were unable to participate due to not meeting the eligibility criteria with DDCS (formally DDA) but have since become eligible before your third year of Transition, you do not need to fill out another application.

• Click the following links to apply to Job Foundation or School to Work: English Version / Spanish Version
• Click here to learn more about Job Foundation
• Click here to learn more about School to Work
• Click here to learn more about how to choose an Employment Provider
• If you have any questions, please email S2W@snoco.org

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month! 

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord and impacts the muscles used for activities such as breathing, eating, crawling, and walking. 1 in 50 individuals are a carrier for the gene that causes SMA. Click here to learn more and get involved in spreading awareness about SMA Awareness Month. 

James Ian is a singer/songwriter, actor, model and is living with SMA. In July he performed at the White House in celebration of Disability Pride Month, and his song “Spaces”, was made by, and for, the disabled community. Click here to read about how James was able to capture the collective voice of the disability community through his song.  You can also find him on Instagram @JamesIanMusic and Facebook at JamesIanMusic. 

Extreme Heat and Weather Information  

According to the Administration for Community Living, “Extreme heat has emerged as an increasingly prevalent and severe natural hazard, presenting significant risks to public health, safety, critical infrastructure, and agriculture. People with disabilities and older adults are disproportionately affected by extreme heat, and their exposure leads to a higher likelihood of experiencing severe health risks or death.” Preparing ahead of time can help to when the heat, and stress rises during the summer months.   

• Stay hydrated and know the signs of heat-related illness.  
• Take heat seriously. In extreme heat, a fan should NOT be relied on as the only method of cooling.  
• Have an emergency kit, including extra medications if needed.  
• Be careful about the amount of time spent outdoors  
• Draw your curtains. 40% of heat can come through windows. 
• If the power goes out, make sure to stay in contact with family and friends. Arrange to have family, friends, or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods.  
• If you need help paying your cooling bills, you may be eligible for LIHEAP assistance. Click here for more information or call 866.674.6327   

Click here to sign up for SnoCoAlerts and learn more about Extreme Heat Events and Cooling Centers. 

Click here to take the Global Heat Health Indoor Heat – Myths and Facts Quiz. 

Opportunity for WA students with disabilities to learn self-advocacy skills 

The League of Education Voters (LEV) has an opportunity for students with disabilities to learn self-advocacy skills.  

LEV’s Student Potential Youth Advisory Council (SPYAC) is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year.  

SPYAC is a paid advocacy and leadership training program, run through the Investing in Student Potential coalition, where students will:  

• Build leadership & self-advocacy skills 
• Learn how the legislative process works  
• Learn from peers and system leaders
• Help shape education policy 
• Get paid $550 for the year  

LEV is looking for middle school, high school, transition-age, and early-20s youth with disabilities who are passionate (or just curious!) about advocacy, leadership, and making a difference in education policy.  

Click here to apply and learn more about the Investing in Student Potential coalition.

• Did you Know? Social Security provides information for those who are helping young adults, and their families navigate the Social Security Application process? Whether you help a family member or friend or help someone through a group or organization, there is a Third-Party Disability Application Video Series for you. These videos offer detailed guidance for people who help claimants file a disability application, whether online or with paper forms. Specifically, the series focuses on the required forms and steps needed to file a complete third-party disability application.  
• The four-part video series includes:  
  • Video 1: “Helping Others Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits”  
  • Video 2: “The Application Package” - The application package for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.   
  • Video 3: “Additional Information & Forms” - Additional information and forms for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.   
  • Video 4: “Tips & Best Practices” - Tips and best practices for filing a disability application online on someone’s behalf.  
• Click here view videos and to learn more.