During your senior year, we will focus heavily on transition planning. Transition planning is an essential part of the Individualized Education Planning (IEP) process. Transition planning includes the members of the IEP team and community service providers in an effort to successfully prepare students for life after high school. For high school students with disabilities, transition planning is a focus on the future that brings about successful post-secondary experiences, employment, and independent living within the community after high school. Simply put, transition refers to the passage from secondary education to adult life.

On this portion of our website, you will find contact information for some local agencies. If you are interested in agencies not listed here, take a look at the Transition Resource Directory of Schuylkill County Agencies. 

Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania: http://www.easterseals.com/esep/

Mission: To change the way the world defines and views disabilities by making positive, profound differences in people's lives every day. For nearly 100 years, Easterseals has been the indispensable resource for people and families challenged by disability. Now, as America faces a broad range of new issues, we make a major, positive, life—changing difference in the lives of people and families challenged by today’s disabilities. The work we do every day is redefining disability for the 21st century.

Maryville University Online: This would be a great fit for any student, family member, or educator looking for information on how to prepare for higher education regarding disabilities. The guide is 100% free and covers educational opportunities, preparation steps, knowing your rights, different types of disabilities, and recommended resources for additional information. 
https://online.maryville.edu/disabilities-guide/

Works for Me:

Works for me is a FREE resource that can direct you to agencies and programs that help people with disabilities in Pennsylvania who want to work, and improve their financial security. We will review your specific situation and guide you to resources that will help you find a job, obtain training, keep health insurance, get assistive technology, or find other support you may need.  There are many great reasons to work and, with the resources we have available, it is possible! And, contrary to what some people believe, you can work without losing your financial security or health care benefits. In fact, you may even be able to increase your income! If you are unsure about working, there are ways to stay qualified for Social Security benefits while trying a job. 

Click here to watch a video about Works for Me.

 

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation:

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is a direct service program provided through 21 district offices located throughout Pennsylvania. OVR provides vocational rehabilitation services to assist individuals with disabilities prepare for, obtain, and maintain employment. Services are provided on an individual basis. Counselors meet with individuals for face-to-face interviews and assist them in selecting their choice of vocational goals, services, and service providers. Other services that are provided at no cost to the individual include counseling and guidance, diagnostic services, assessments, information and referrals, job development and placement, and personal services such as readers or sign language interpreters.

Individuals are eligible for services based upon two important factors. These include: a physical or mental impairment that causes an impediment to employment; there exists an ability to benefit from services; and the need for services to prepare for, enter, engage in, or retain gainful employment.


Vocational Rehabilitation Services
3602 Kutztown Road, Suite 200
Reading, PA 19605
(610) 621-5800
Toll-Free (800) 442-0949

AHEDD

AHEDD provides employment and training services for individuals with disabilities. AHEDD can help youth in transition or adults with disabilities that are looking to enter or improve their status in the work force learn or develop pre-employment skills, job seeking skills, on-site job coaching support, arrange transportation, provide follow-along services throughout the first year of employment, Community Based Work Assessments, Transition services, benefits counseling, self-employment, assist in reporting earnings to the Social Security Administration, and ensure that healthcare services are in place.

(570) 622-9711

Avenues

Avenues provides services for individuals of all ages who have disabilities.

Services for children include: Early Intervention, Summer Camp, First Friends (childcare facility), Elks Nursing (provides nursing care to an individual of any age who has a developmental disability or physical or mental delays or a combination of both), and a Neurological Clinic.

Adult services include: an Adult Training Facility, Vocational Programs, Adventures with Avenues, and a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program.

In the Vocational Programs, individuals learn skills such as large and small assembly, packaging, bulk mailings, tooling, document shredding, janitorial services, kitchen skills, retail skills, horticulture, crafting, and sales.

There is also a School to Work Transition Program, which works with High School seniors who have a current IEP. These students are able to attend a sheltered workshop or supported employment opportunity. Adventures with Avenues includes monthly outings, including activities such as: bowling, movies, local fairs, dining out, and mini golf.

 

2 Park Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
(570) 622-7991

 

Goodwill Employment Services

Goodwill Employment Services works to support individuals with disabilities and other barriers, such as those at an economic disadvantage or lacking education or work experience, to find independence in achieving their fullest potential as workers and members of the community. They do this by providing job skill training to youth and seniors. They introduce individuals to the “power of earning a paycheck” in order to help them overcome barriers such as welfare dependency, illiteracy, and disabilities.

Located at the Cressona Mall:
1544 Route 61 Hwy South, Suite 6133
Pottsville, PA 17901

(570) 628-9090



The ReDCo Group

The ReDCo Group provides a variety of services for individuals with a variety of disabilities. Services in Schuykill County include:

• Management Services
• Behavioral Health Services
• Kids Intervention - Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services
• Developmental Support Services
• Evergreen Senior Services
• Workforce Investment Networks/CareerLink®.

Below is a list of the services provided under the ReDCo Group, along with their contact information.

Management Services
210 South Centre Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 628-5215

Behavioral Health Services — Schuylkill Region
16 South Centre Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 628-5234

Kids Intervention - Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services
221 Mahantongo Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 622-6417

Developmental Support Services
200 South 3rd Street
Saint Clair, PA 17970
Phone: (570) 429-1529

Developmental Support Services
121 N. Progress Avenue, Ste. 100 & 110
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 622-6882

Developmental Support Services
297 Morea Road
Frackville, PA 17931
Phone: (570) 874-0154

Developmental Support Services ICF
199 North Crescent Street
Tremont, PA 17981
Phone: (570) 695-2727

Evergreen Senior Services
138 West Centre Street
Mahanoy City, PA 17948
Phone: (570) 773-3093

Evergreen Senior Services
100 Rock Road
Pine Grove, PA 17963
Phone: (570) 345-3508

Workforce Investment Networks/CareerLink®
203 East Arch Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
Phone: (570) 622-5253


Schuylkill CareerLink®

Schuylkill CareerLink® provides assistance with job training and placement. This includes: finding a job, looking for a better job, or improving job skills. This can be done through the Commonwealth Workforce Development System, which can help individuals to search for job openings, create a résumé, apply for jobs online, research career information, or request vocational rehabilitation services. Job seekers can search for events, training programs or providers, and create a profile to keep events and information up-to-date. There is also the PA Career Coach, which is a free online tool to help individuals find local job opportunities that match each individual’s skills and experience.

 

203 Arch Street
Pottsville, PA 17901
(570) 622-5253


Anthracite Region Center for Independent Living

Anthracite Region Center for Independent Living (ARCIL) provides a wide variety of services for individuals with disabilities. ARCIL serves individuals in Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. ARCIL can help answer questions about support services, government benefits, adaptive equipment, accessibility, and other topics related to disabilities. They will assist as an advocate to help individuals with disabilities resolve issues such as inaccessibility or discrimination that are due to a disability. ARCIL can provide assistance in an individual’s home to help him/her acquire skills to become more independent, such as budgeting, preparing meals, shopping, using public transportation, or finding employment.

ARCIL also offers peer support. An ARCIL peer helper is a person with a disability who is living independently and is able to share their experiences and offer support to others. Peer helpers work one-on-one with individuals and help them to make adjustments to live with their disability, learn problem-solving skills, explore options, and use community services more effectively.

 

Markle Building
8 West Broad Street, Suite 228
Hazleton, PA 18201
(570) 455-9800
Toll-Free (800) 777-9906



Service Access Management

Service Access Management (SAM) is a base service unit that determines eligibility for services in Schuylkill County. In order to receive services through SAM, individuals must have a mental health diagnosis. SAM offers case management services, mobility training, employment training and opportunities, adult day care, and help finding employment or housing. Two housing programs that SAM offers are the PATH program and Supported Living program. In the PATH program, individuals qualify if they do not make an income and are homeless or at risk for homelessness. These individuals are provided with financial assistance and support services. There is also a Supported Living program, in which individuals must have an income. Workers will help these individuals do things such as find apartments and teach them to pay their bills.

590 Terry Reiley Way
Pottsville, PA
(570) 621-2700
Toll-Free (877) 216-5035