OVR promotes empowerment of youths with disabilities

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation has introduced the inclusion of educational youth programs into its Fiscal Year 2001 state plan in efforts to empower youths with disabilities.

According to OVR Director Tee Abraham, the agency has opted to add in new initiatives specifically designed for the youth in order to prepare them for future employment.

The agency has proposed for a stay-in-school program tailored for junior high school students. Under this program, OVR will be working closely with high school students enrolled under Special Education.

The goal of this initiative is to provide for juniors one summer where they would be free to explore a career of their choice.

Ms. Abraham likened the program to the former Job Training Partnership Act’s summer youth employment and training program, where high school students earned wages by training under an agency.

“We will combine both education and training. This is a career exploration so they may also go to the Northern Marianas College to obtain job skills or train on work ethics, personal grooming, and health care,” said Ms. Abraham.
But the most aspect part of the program, she added, is when the VR agency links trainees with prospective employers.

“We stress on the importance of this because it would be an opportunity for the students to sell themselves to the employers, and employers can hopefully act as mentors,” she explained.

For senior high school students under Special Education, VR’s newly-approved 2001 state plan also allows them to undergo job skills training five months before they exit high school. While students are under training, they will be receiving stipends, according to Ms. Abraham.

“It is our goal to provide this opportunity for students as well as employers to view their options. More importantly, we hope this will help employers get over fears about hiring individuals with disabilities,” she said.

Meanwhile, OVR’s new state plan also features summer recruitment program in order to attract Psychology majors or graduates for an internship with the VR agency.

Off-island students will be exposed to rehabilitation counseling, policy-making, and other VR services for the whole summer.

Participants to the program will also have the
opportunity to attend national conferences related to the field.