Postsecondary Education Rehabilitation Transition (PERT) Program

Program Overview

The PERT Program is a highly effective school-to-work transition initiative supported by the Virginia Department of Education and administered through the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) at Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center (WWRC). PERT Program services are provided on the WWRC Campus where students reside in a dormitory.

The PERT Program assists students in their transition from high school to post secondary options by helping them answer these questions:

What's out there for me?
What are my talents?
What are my interests?
What types of jobs might I enjoy doing?
What skills do I need to become employed?
What do I need to learn to live on my own?

PERT Admission Requirements

Student is an applicant with DARS
Secondary-aged youth with disabilities
Enrolled in the Virginia's public education system
Receive special education services under an Individual Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan
Age 16 at time of requested PERT Initial Evaluation or 2.5 years from graduation or secondary school completion
Possess positive classroom and work behaviors
Medically, physically and psychologically stable for at least six months
Possess a full scale IQ of 60 or evidence of good adaptive skills
Willing to comply with WWRC community living standards
Possess a strong, community-based support system which includes transport back home if necessary
Meet WWRC Admissions Criteria

Youth with disabilities who do not fully meet these admissions requirements may be considered for admission on an individual case-by-case basis through a formal pre-admissions review process. This process is initiated by the student's local Transition Team.

PERT Program Services

Comprehensive Evaluation

Prerequisite: Selected by the student’s local Transition Team
Length of Initial Evaluation: 5 days
Evaluation assesses:
- vocational strengths and abilities
- independent living skills
- social and interpersonal skills

Situational Assessment

Prerequisite:
- Completion of PERT Comprehensive Evaluation
- Received recommendation from WWRC vocational evaluators in one of the training areas offered at WWRC and support for additional services by local transition team.
Length of Situational Assessment: 5 days
Assessment includes:
- confirming vocational interest in one vocational training area
- refining vocational skills
- developing positive work habits
- determining objectives to achieve vocational and independent living skills goals.