Vocational:
Ability for Hire
http://abilityforhire.com/job-seekers/
So, what’s on your mind? Maybe you feel
insecure or lack motivation. Maybe you feel
like you won’t be able to provide value to
an employer. Maybe you feel
misunderstood. No matter what you’re
feeling, we have people who can help with
a host of services that include: evaluations,
vocational counseling, training,
employment, accommodations, and
transition services for students.
Corporation for National & Community
Service
https://www.nationalservice.gov/node/365
15
Participating in a national service program
offers members a unique opportunity to
develop personally and professionally.
Research has proven that those who
participate in service increase their
understanding of how they can address
social challenges. Being a national service
member also provides opportunities for
enhanced problem-solving skills, ability to
work in teams and planning abilities.
The Evolution and Potential of Career
Pathways
http://s3.amazonaws.com/PCRN/docs/Evol
ution_of_Career_Pathways_092315.pdf
Career Pathways systems provide a
framework for organizing and formally
aligning the education, workforce, and
supportive services needed by a wide range
of individuals to attain the credentials
required for family-supporting careers. This
paper provides a context for the increased
attention that Career Pathways approaches
have received in recent years—by
examining the evolution and efficacy of
pathways strategies for building a skilled
workforce.
National Collaborative on Workforce and
Disability
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/
NCWD/Youth is your source for information
about employment and youth with
disabilities. Our partners — experts in
disability, education, employment, and
workforce development — strive to ensure
you will be provided with the highest
quality, most relevant information available
Literacy Information and Communication
System
https://lincs.ed.gov/state-
resources/federal-initiatives/moving-
pathways/career-pathways-exchange
The Career Pathways Exchange is a free
information service that consolidates and
distributes career pathways-related
resources, events, and information from
Federal and State agencies and partner
organizations. The Exchange streamlines
information from multiple outlets to
facilitate a deeper national dialogue on
career pathways systems development and
implementation.
Freedom to Work Project, SD Coalition of
Citizens with Disabilities
http://ftw.sd-ccd.org
1-800-210-0143
FTW offers work incentive trainings,
resource materials on the website and
contact information on Benefits Specialists
in SD who can answer your questions about
work and SSI/SSDI benefits.
South Dakota Benefits Specialists Network
800-224-5336
Pierre
605-224-5336
Staff assist SSI and SSDI beneficiaries in
understanding how part-time, full-time, or
seasonal work affects disability benefits and
other federal, state, and local benefits.
Staff can also answer questions about how
employment would affect health care
benefits, SSA work incentives, and
employment-related work incentives
offered by other programs.
Health Care:
Social Security - BENEFITS SPECIALIST
221 S Central Avenue
Pierre South Dakota 57501
(605) 224-5336
(800) 224-5336
(605) 224-8320 Fax
Call them if you have any questions
regarding if social security is right for you at
this age.
Medical Assistance for Workers with
Disabilities (MAWD)
http://ftw.sd-
ccd.org/disabledpersonsandfamily/medical
assistanceforworkerswithdisabilitiesmawd/
MAWD is an incentive for people with
disabilities to return to work or remain
working and allows an individual to remain
on, or become eligible for, health insurance
through Medicaid. For more information,
contact your local office of:
Department of Social Services
1-877-999-5612
http://dss.sd.gov/findyourlocaloffice
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Pierre
605-773-3195
https://dhs.sd.gov/rehabservices/de
fault.aspx
Division of Service to the Blind and
Visually Impaired
1-800-265-9684
https://dhs.sd.gov/servicetotheblind
/default.aspx
Got Transition?
www.gottransition.org/
National resource center focusing on a
young adult's transition from pediatric to
adult health care.
Living Services:
ABERDEEN - ASPIRE, Inc.
607 N. Fourth St.
Aberdeen, SD 57401-2733
(605) 229-0263
Executive Director: Jennifer Gray
Website: www.aspiresd.org
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Program Specialist: Kara Peery
Independent Living Services
https://dss.sd.gov/childprotection/indepen
dentlivingprogram/
The Independent Living Program provides
the following services for teens and young
adults who are in or have been in foster
care: Youth Organizer, Housing,
Conference and Workshops, Medical
Assistance for Youth Formerly in Foster
Care, Preparing for Post-Secondary
Education, and Education and Training
Voucher (ETV Funds)
Education:
Federal Student Aid – an Office of the US
Department of Education
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-
college/applying
This site focuses on how to help students to
prepare for college, specifically applying to
schools. It answers various questions
students may have.
Think College
https://thinkcollege.net/
Think College
UMass Boston
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, Massachusetts 02125
Voice: (617) 287-4300
Fax: (617) 287-4352
TTY: (617) 287-4350
Email: thinkcollege@umb.edu
Think College is a national organization
dedicated to developing, expanding, and
improving inclusive higher education
options for people with intellectual
disability. It includes information on
Technical Assistance, Training, Resources,
and Transition and Postsecondary Programs
for Students with Intellectual Disability
(TPSID).
Catch the Wave, Transition Services Liaison
Project
www.tslp.org
800-224-5336
Pierre
605-224-5336
A day of university orientation for high
school students with disabilities who are
considering post-secondary education. TSLP
provides information, training and liaison to
encourage students with disabilities to
complete their education and succeed in
independence.
South Dakota Department of Education
800 Governor’s Drive, Pierre, SD 57501
Linda Turner, Special Education Programs
Director
Beth Schiltz, Special Education Programs
Transition Specialist
Phone: 605-773-3678
beth.schiltz@state.sd.us
Varied Services:
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DHS)
http://dhs.sd.gov/rehabservices/default.asp
x
605-773-5990
The Division of Rehabilitation Services is
made up of twelve offices across the state
that offer a variety of services to people
with disabilities. We are a part of the
Department of Human Services, and as
such, are committed to enhancing the
quality of life of people with disabilities.
DHS – Developmental Disabilities
http://dhs.sd.gov/developmentaldisabilities
/default.aspx
Their mission statement is: To ensure that
people with developmental disabilities have
equal opportunities and receive the services
and supports they need to live and work in
South Dakota communities.
Family Support 360
Aberdeen Area Family Support
202 Main St. Ste. 402
Aberdeen, SD 57402
email: abfamily@abe.midco.net
Tami Leddy-Sederquist - 605-216-3359
Family Support 360 serves people with
developmental disabilities. This program
assists participants and their families in
getting the services they need to live as
independently as possible in the
community.
South Dakota Parent Connection
http://www.sdparent.org/web/index.php?s
iteid=2825
1-800-640-4553
We connect families caring for KASA is a national, grassroots project
children/youth (ages birth to 26) with the created by youth with disabilities for youth
full range of disabilities or special health 13-24. KASA knows youth can make choices
care needs to information, training and and advocate for themselves if they have
resources in an environment of support, the information and support they need.
hope and respect. Joining is free for youth and open to
anyone.
Division of Services to the Blind and
Visually Impaired
Hillsview Properties Plaza, 3800 E. Hwy 34,
Pierre, SD 57501
Gaye Mattke, Director
Phone: 605-773-4644, 605-773-9684 (TTY)
Fax: 605:773-5483

Center for Parent Information and

Resources – Resource Library
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/resourcel
ibrary/
This library has a great amount of resources
that are transition and after high school
based, as well as many other subjects.

A Transition Guide to Postsecondary

Education and Employment for Students
and Youth with Disabilities
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ose
rs/transition/products/postsecondary-
transition-guide-may-2017.pdf
Created by Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services United States
Department of Education

Disability.gov
www.disability.gov
Provides students fast facts on their
disability, legal rights, community life,
employment, etc. Self-knowledge is crucial
for students with disabilities to succeed in
post-secondary life.

Kids as Self Advocates

www.fvkasa.org/
207-458-1009