Youth Transition Services

Wallowa County’s Youth Transition Program provides a wide variety of services to students with disabilities beginning at age 16.  One highly trained person works with high school special education teachers in assisting students to successfully transition from high school to the world of work.  This process includes instruction in career awareness, personal-social skills, job readiness, independent living, vocational aptitudes, and self-advocacy skills.  Students may participate in the program’s work experience and job shadow options to gain knowledge about various career interests.  Through a partnership with Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services qualified students also receive post high school education program assistance, as well as, on the job training supervision for up to two years after graduation. 

Youth Transitions to Employment Summer Work Program

The Wallowa County ESD, in partnership with Oregon DHS Vocational Rehabilitation, offers summer work opportunities to students in our Youth Transition Program.  We connect students with local employers to help them find jobs that are aligned with their career interests.  Students gain work experience and develop essential job skills over the course of eight weeks.  All employment expenses, including wages and insurance, are covered by the ESD through a grant provided by Vocational Rehabilitation.

We are excited to have four students participating in the program.  We'd like to thank the following employers for hosting these students:

• Enterprise Animal Hospital

• Wallowa County Grain Growers

• Wallowa County Humane Society

• WCESD Technology Department

Our hosts are incredibly important to the success of this program.  We appreciate their support, as well as the  amount of time and energy they invest in our students!