High School Transition Services

NW Works is proud to participate in two collaborative transition programs that empower families and students to begin thinking about life after leaving the school system.

Seven people in safety vests stand smiling for a picture. They are in front of a small poster that says "Fortessa".

PreETS is a collaboration between area High Schools, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services and community colleges or certified providers, like NW Works. The program offers students with disabilities an early start at career exploration and preparation for adult life. PreETS creates an opportunity in the lives of young people with disabilities and their families to connect with resources early on and jumpstart their consideration of what life will look like after leaving the school system. 

Pre Employment Transition Services (PreETS)

Two men sit facing across from one another at a round table. The man on the left is looking at the man on the right who appears to be thinking. The man on the right is holding an orange ipad. They are practicing interview skills.

Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is a collaborative program run in partnership with Valley Health, Winchester Public Schools, Frederick County Public Schools, the Northwestern Community Services Board, the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services and NW Works. The program focuses on training opportunities for high school students with disabilities after completing their requirements for graduation from high school. The Winchester, VA site is one of nearly 20 in the Commonwealth. Project SEARCH is a globally recognized program. 

Interested in learning if ProjectSEARCH or PreETS is right for you or someone you know? Contact your school’s transition specialist to learn more.

“These students are getting real jobs, what we would say is competitive employment. They’re applying for jobs like you or I would.”

— Chuck Ashby, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, FREDERICK CO. PUBLIC SCHOOLS