Goals
for Rehabilitation
The Illinois Department
of Human Services (DHS), Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is
the state's lead agency serving individuals with disabilities. DRS works
in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to
assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community
participation through employment, education and independent living
opportunities.
DRS collaborates with many partners to help high school students with
disabilities plan for their future. Through this collaborative effort,
these students have knowledge, skills and experience they need to
achieve their employment, post-secondary education and independent
living goals. Transition students receive a wide variety of services,
including career exploration, community-based training and work
experience, supported employment services, job training and placement,
independent living skills training, vocational evaluation, counseling
and guidance, as well as educational and financial planning.
DRS' Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP) helps students
transition from school to the world of work through school-supervised
work experiences, vocational evaluation, and work adjustment. Our
counselors work closely with transition specialists housed in high
schools, staff in individual schools and school districts, and community
partners to coordinate services for students. DRS vocational
rehabilitation counselors also assist youth with disabilities who are no
longer in high school in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining
quality employment.
DRS also supports local Transition Planning Committees (TPCs) that are
charged with identifying existing resources and unmet needs,
facilitating an ongoing exchange of information, and developing local
customer training programs. Quarterly Transition Consortiums address
transition issues, provide networking opportunities, and facilitate
information sharing among local TPC members.
Southwest Cook County
Cooperative
