Pre-ETS

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

Overview

Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are five services designed to provide early support to students with disabilities and improve post-school outcomes. These services are available free of charge to eligible or potentially eligible students through ACCES-VR and help students build the skills and confidence needed to transition from school to further education, training, or employment. They are:

  • Job Exploration Counseling – Helping students understand career options, labor market information, and the steps needed to enter various careers.

  • Work-Based Learning Experiences – Opportunities for students to gain hands-on work experience, such as internships, job shadowing, or informational interviews.

  • Counseling on Postsecondary Education – Guidance on options after high school, including college, vocational training, and other postsecondary programs.

  • Workplace Readiness Training – Teaching essential soft skills and behaviors needed for employment, such as communication, punctuality, teamwork, and problem-solving.

  • Instruction in Self-Advocacy – Helping students understand their rights, learn to communicate their needs, and advocate for accommodations and supports in education and the workplace.

We offer a series of short videos to provide clear guidance on Pre-ETS and support successful implementation:

How to Connect with a Pre-ETS Service Provider in Your Area

To access Pre-ETS, contact the ACCES-VR Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for Transition and Youth Services (SVRC TAYS) in your area. They will connect you with a local Pre-ETS provider.  You can find their contact information here. 

Resources for Educators, Families, and Students

The Office of Special Education and ACCES (OSEA)

In January 2025, the New York State Department of Education announced the formation of a newly unified office, combining the Office of Special Education (OSE) and Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) under the name Office of Special Education and ACCES (OSEA). This integration underscores a strong commitment to collaboratively serving students with disabilities and supporting individuals pursuing career and educational goals. 

Benefits for Students, Educators, and Staff:

  • Seamless Transitions: Provides consistent support for students moving from school to higher education or employment.
  • Enhanced Resources for Educators: Offers unified guidance, professional development opportunities, and collaboration across the P-20 continuum.
  • Collaboration for Staff: Encourages coordinated efforts to maximize support for students with disabilities and other individuals pursuing career success.

In October 2025, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) issued guidance on Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students with disabilities. The policy emphasizes the importance of collaboration between State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) and State vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies, including ACCES-VR and the NYS Commission for the Blind, to ensure students receive comprehensive, individualized support for transitioning into adulthood. The Policy Directive can be found here.