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DARS presents school‑to‑work services for students with disabilities
Summary
Erica Schwartz, manager at the Petersburg DARS office, described vocational rehabilitation and transition programs for students 14 and older, including job‑exploration counseling, job coaching, driving evaluations and partnerships such as Project SEARCH and WWRC; transportation was highlighted as a major barrier to employment.
Erica Schwartz, manager of the Petersburg office of the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), told the joint meeting that DARS provides individualized transition and vocational rehabilitation services to high‑school students (age 14 and up) and adults with disabilities.
Schwartz described services that range from job exploration and workplace readiness to job coaching and driving evaluations. She highlighted partnerships with regional workforce centers, Project SEARCH and the Wilson Workforce Rehabilitation Center (WWRC), and said DARS can help with college applications, vocational training and limited client costs for residential programs.
"Our services are completely optional, voluntary," Schwartz said, explaining that students and families may choose the level of engagement and that services can continue after high‑school exit in individualized cases. She described practical supports including mock interviews, resume help, job fairs and a job‑placement program (IWork) that coordinates DARS, District 19 and service providers to address immediate barriers such as housing, medication and counseling.
School and council members expressed interest in stronger connections between DARS and local transportation offerings to ensure students can access work and training opportunities. Staff and members agreed to pursue closer coordination between school transportation options and community employment resources and to share contact information for DARS counselors.
