As a parent of a student with disabilities, you probably have lots of questions about your child's future. How will they find a job? What can you do to help? Who else will be part of this journey?
Connecticut's Level Up Program uses a team approach to help students with disabilities prepare for their future. This means parents, students, and teachers all work together. Here are answers to the most common questions parents ask.
What is the Level Up Program?
Level Up is a program that helps students with disabilities prepare for their future. It's offered by the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. Students ages 16-22 who have an IEP or 504 plan, may be eligible to participate.
The program doesn't work alone. It brings together four important people: you (the parent), your child (the student), school staff (educators) and a Level Up Counselor (Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor). When everyone works as a team, students have the best chance for a successful and independent future that includes meaningful employment.
Why does teamwork matter when planning for the future and finding jobs for students with disabilities?
Getting a job isn't something that happens overnight. It takes planning, education, training, and support. When parents, students, educators, and Level Up Counselors work together, each person brings something special to help.
Think of it like building a house. You need different people with different skills. The same is true for helping your child prepare for future employment. Everyone on the team has an important job to do.
What is my role as a parent in this team approach?
You know your child better than anyone else. You've watched them grow and learn. You know what they're good at and what they enjoy doing. This information is very important for the team.
As a parent, you can:
- Share what you know about your child's strengths and interests
- Help your child practice job skills at home
- Support your child when they feel nervous or unsure
- Ask questions when you or they don't understand something
- Celebrate your child's progress along the way
Your voice matters. The Level Up team wants to hear from you. You're not just signing papers - you're helping make important decisions about your child's future.
What does my student do as part of this team?
Your child has the most important role of all. They're learning to speak up for themselves and make choices about their future. This is called self-advocacy, and it's a skill they'll use their whole life.
Students in Level Up learn to:
- Talk about what kind of work interests them
- Ask for help when they need it
- Practice job skills in real workplaces
- Make decisions about their future
- Communicate with employers about their needs
At first, your child might feel shy about speaking up. That's normal. The Level Up counselor will help them build confidence over time.
How do educators fit into this team?
Educators include your child's teachers, special education staff, and Level Up counselors. They bring knowledge about job skills, workplace rules, and how to help students succeed.
School educators help by:
- Sharing what your child has learned in school
- Teaching work-related skills in the classroom
- Connecting school learning to real jobs
- Working with Level Up counselors to plan services
Level Up counselors help by:
- Meeting with your child regularly
- Setting up work experiences
- Teaching job skills
- Guiding them through post-secondary education options
- Helping your child explore different careers
- Connecting your family to other helpful services
What kinds of services does Level Up provide?
Level Up offers five main types of help:
- Job Exploration: Your child gets to learn about different types of jobs. They might visit workplaces, talk to employees, or try out different tasks.
- Work-Based Learning: Your child gets real work experience in actual jobs. This helps them learn what it's like to have a job and practice important skills.
- Work Readiness Training: Your child learns skills that all employers want, like showing up on time, working with others, solving problems and financial literacy.
- Self-Advocacy: Your child learns to speak up for themselves and ask for what they need at work.
- Post-Secondary Counseling: Your child gets help thinking about life after high school, including college, job training, or going straight to work.
How does this team approach help my child find jobs?
When everyone works together, your child gets support from all sides. You encourage them at home. Teachers help them learn skills at school. Level Up counselors connect them with real work experiences.
This team approach helps because:
- Your child gets consistent messages about their abilities
- Problems get solved faster when everyone communicates
- Your child builds confidence with support from multiple people
- Employers see that your child has a strong support system
- Many students feel more confident about their future when they have a whole team cheering them on
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If your child is between the ages of 16-22 and receives special education services, Level Up could be an important part of their future. The program is designed to work with your family's needs and help your child discover their potential.
Your child's future starts with the team you build today. Level Up is ready to be part of that team, working alongside you and your child's educators to create pathways to meaningful employment and independence.
Start your journey today by filling out our contact us form.