STEP GOALS
STEP is a training/placement program that helps students with disabilities prepare to transition to employment and community participation during and after high school. Students learn to become productive, self-sufficient adults through a variety of STEP experiences. These experiences...
    - Assist students in developing desirable work habits
      and realistic career goals;
    - Provide opportunities for students to explore careers;
    - Offer meaningful work experiences through on-the-job
      placement; and
    - Encourage students to develop the social and personal
      skills needed to maintain successful employment.
 
STEP SERVICES
Vocational rehabilitation specialists work with students to individualize STEP services to meet their needs. These services include:
    - Guidance and career counseling
    - Information and referral
    - Opportunities for career exploration
    - Participation in paid work experiences
    - Job training and placement
    - Supported Employment Services
    - Independent living services
    - Coordination of post-secondary education and training
 
ACCESSING STEP SERVICES
High school students with a disability may be eligible to participate in STEP if they receive special education services or other assistance because of a disability.
All information is confidential and will not be released without consent.
Individuals can be referred to STEP as early as age 14. A referral can be made by contacting your local high school or your local DHS/DRS office at (815) 233-5904.

WORK RELATED CLASS - Classroom instruction usually conducted within the school setting that includes, but is not limited to, career exploration, job seeking skills, job placement skills, resume writing and job applications, and interviewing skills.
 
JOB SHADOWING - A method of learning about a job by spending time with a person who is working in the career. Students learn the realities of a job by walking through the day as a shadow of a competent worker. Provides opportunities for students to see if he/she has the ability to perform essential job functions with or without accommodation, to ask questions, to “observe” some job tasks, and to evaluate whether he/she likes the job based on first-hand observation.
 
COMMUNITY-BASED EXPERIENCE - Experience in the private or not-for-profit business sector that is competitive and integrated (most co-workers do not have disabilities.)
 
ON THE JOB EVALUATION/TRAINING (OJE/OJT) - A training experience where a person is evaluated in terms of aptitudes and abilities, work speed, work skills, ability to learn, quality of work performed and work behaviors. Used to develop basic job skills that would lead to employment and is utilized until the student is able to perform most or all of the required job tasks in a timely manner.
 
OJE/OJT TRAINING FUNDS - Refers to funds used for evaluation, training, and supervision of students who do not meet competitive employment standards. Must be defined as on-the-job evaluation and on-the-job training with specific time frames and training objectives, and a payment schedule that increases employer participation based on the student’s progress.
 
ON-CAMPUS EXPERIENCE - Experience in any school setting, closely supervised. Often a student’s first training experience, used to identify vocational strengths, and to develop appropriate work behaviors and skills in preparation for community placements. (e.g. janitor work, cafeteria, secretarial)
 
JOB COACHING - On-the-job support provided by school personnel, student coach, co-worker, or other trained person to ensure that students with severe disabilities have access to paid, competitive, integrated training experiences in the community. Support can include, but is not limited to, individualized job placement through task analysis and job restructuring, ongoing assessment and problem-solving, and job-site training.
 
OTHER - Specify any other specialized programming or services contractor is providing that support the student’s vocational development and successful transition to employment and community living.
 
COMMUNITY BASED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES > - Services that lead to community integrated employment, and can be coordinated or purchased from a Community Rehabilitation Program or other community-based employment service. Defined as Competitive Placement Services (assessment, Job Development and Placement, Training, and Follow-Up) or Supported Employment Placement Services.
 

Planning for the Future. . .  Begins with the Present