For a young person with a disability, planning for the future can seem overwhelming. But it does not have to be! Through our programs and partnerships, we are able to work with youth on their journey to independence. Our Youth Services Teams in Georgia and South Carolina provide programs that instill knowledge today to empower the future. Whether they are transitioning from Middle School to High School or looking for employment, we have a variety of resources designed to assist young persons with disabilities.
OH YEA!
The Occupational Horizons Youth Empowering Activities (OH YEA!) is designed to empower students and engage 8th grade students with disabilities through productive activities as they prepare for the transition into high school and beyond. The activities are formatted to enhance and compliment current teacher effectiveness, increase awareness of viable community resources and ultimately better prepare students for a successful transition to high school and beyond. The program is a collaborative and complimentary community effort with school systems to deliver pre-transition services to students.
Through the OH YEA! training program, students:
- Are provided with an educational outlook to the journey from middle school to high school and beyond
- Learn more about their rights as persons with disabilities and the value of self-advocacy
- Explore meaningful assistive technology for successful transitions in school and beyond
- Utilize a strong network of professional mentors
- Lean about the importance of Independent Living including quality of life, self sufficiency, self-direction, responsibility, social ability, decision making power and employability
- In addition to the training program in the school system, the OH YEA transition services are available as a one-on-one service.
OH YEA! is offered in both Georgia and South Carolina. In Georgia, we partner with The Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS) and the Richmond County Board of Education to provide OH YEA! to various schools across the region.
In South Carolina, we have partnered with AccessAbility to work with schools in the Low Country region to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) to transition aged youth. The Pre-ETS services are able to be delivered in group, in-school, after-school or community based settings. We are able to offer these services through a contract with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB). Through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) funding, SCCB was able to design CareerBOOST (Building Occupational Opportunities for Students in Transition) as a Demonstration Project for with partners across the state.
Additionally, The U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid provides grants, loans, and work-study opportunities to eligible students attending participating colleges or career schools. Federal Student Aid is the largest source of financial aid in the U.S. For further information and an online application, visit StudentAid.gov or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center toll-free: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). TTY for the hearing-impaired: 1-800-730-8913.
Building Empowered Youth Obtaining Uniqueness!
One of our latest Peer Support Groups is designed specifically for young adults 18 to 26 with disabilities looking to build their independence and connect with other sharing similar experiences. It is all about Building Empowered Youth Obtaining Uniqueness!
BE YOU! works with young adults to help them build their confidence, connect with other young adults, build their skills and expand their future opportunities. The group regularly explores hot topics and looks for exciting things to participate in. They focus on:
- Social Skills
- Advocacy
- Transition Skills
- Employment Skills
- Understanding your Rights and Accommodations as an individual
- Life Skills
BE YOU! lets members know that they are not alone with Peer Support every time they meet. The group meets every 4th Tuesday of the month from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Click here to find out more about BE YOU! on Facebook and our Meetup.com page.
If you are interested in any of our Youth Pre-employment Services, please contact Walton Options on 706-724-6262 to speak with an Information and Referral Specialist. Or complete the Self-Referral Form online by clicking here.
Looking for more resources? Click on the links below to find out more about our Employment Services Programs.
Employment Services
Appointment Information
Gaining Preparedness Skills Training
Life Skills Training
Ticket to Work