Transition Impact Awards
- Most Transformative Provider
- Service Categories: Communication and Social Skills, Financial Literacy, Independent Living Orientation and Mobility, Job-Seeking Training, Work-Based Learning Experience, Workplace Soft Skills.
- Fast & Effective Award
- Service Categories: Communication and Social Skills, Financial Literacy, Independent living Mobility & Orientation, Job-Seeking Training.
- Uplift Award
- Service Category: Job-Seeking Training.
When Watauga Opportunities, Inc. (WOI) received recognition in three major award categories this year, we knew there was something truly special happening behind the scenes. So, we asked them: What makes your program so impactful?
Their answer? It starts with thoughtful curriculum design, intentional staff training, and a commitment to honoring each student’s unique path.
“We have written a curriculum that:
- Applies principles of Universal Design for Learning
- Gives instructional flexibility to meet individual student needs
- Provides a framework for identifying where the student falls on the career development continuum and offers milestone suggestions that align with that continuum
- Levelled to offer accessible options for student learners with a range of strengths and support needs
- Prioritizes self-determination skill-building opportunities through built-in advocacy and self-evaluation practices
- Incorporates assistive technology and digital learning tools
- Infuses hands-on experiences and work-based learning across the WOIA categories
- Prioritized access, equity, and inclusion”
Their commitment doesn’t stop at curriculum design; WOI has built a staff culture focused on responsiveness, collaboration, and high expectations:
“We train our staff to:
- Work as a member of an interagency team
- Collaborate and staff student cases with EIPD (VR Counselors) to ensure continued services are in place, as appropriate
- Serve as strong customer service representatives (ie- figuring out how to say ‘yes’ when at all possible to meet student needs)
- Ensure that the program fits the students not that the students fit the program
- Have the skills and resources to create and implement instructional materials that meet their unique student strengths and needs
- Utilize tools and technology to support access and engagement
- Backwards plan and see Pre-ETS as a tool to get the student to their next phase
- Provide services in a range of settings, depending on student’s needs, including in 1:1, small group, large group, and summer camp settings”
They also shared the guiding quote that shapes every training:
“All students with disabilities are capable of experiencing meaningful postsecondary outcomes and benefit from exploration of their interests and goals.”
WOI shared three powerful stories of student growth that began with Pre-ETS:
“We worked with a student who participated in a range of Pre-ETS services, that culminated with her going to a local business to do a work sample with Pre-ETS. She did well with this experience and EIPD (Vocational Rehabilitation) assisted her in getting lined up with an internship at the same site. She was then hired on full-time after graduation, and the business and EIPD continued to support her. She learned how to drive with the assistance of these supports. She is now driving herself to and from work and is over one of the departments at the business. She still tells her Pre-ETS and EIPD staff members that she would not have had this opportunity without these supports.”
“We had another student that showed very little motivation when he originally started working with Pre-ETS. After completing an interest survey and several workplace tours, he decided he was interested in learning more about, and ultimately pursuing, a heavy equipment profession. The student participated in a job sample at a heavy equipment company and ended up also participating in an internship with EIPD post-HS-graduation. He did not have a driver’s license at the time of graduation, but this was a goal of his. He ended up getting hired on at the job site and now has been working for over a year and not only has his license, but has also earned his CDL! The business owner says that he would absolutely take on other Pre-ETS students as long as they share his work ethic and drive!”
“Finally, we have a student who just graduated last year. When he was a freshman, he was extremely resistant to Pre-ETS and to thinking about work and life after high school. However, each year he became more and more interested, especially his 11th and 12th grade years. His interest area always related to cars and auto mechanics. He was able to complete a job shadow at an auto mechanic site with Pre-ETS and also was able to tour the auto mechanic program at his local community college. Since he’s graduated, he is working at the local Valvoline, and plans to soon enroll in the local community college automotive program. Our Pre-ETS specialist reports that last time she went to get her car serviced at the shop where this alumni is now working, he was her technician!”
A Look Behind the Curtain
WOI also sent us a video offering a glimpse into how their curriculum and services come together on the ground. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at a model that’s making real change happen.