DORS offers two specific programs to help youth with documented disabilities prepare for employment:

● Pre-Employment Transition Services for students at least 14 years old, in at least high school, and no more than 21 years old. For more information please see the Pre-ETS Fact Sheet above

● Vocational Rehabilitation Service for high school students in the next to-last year of high and out-of-school youth may be eligible for additional Vocational Rehabilitation services beyond Pre-Employment Transition Services. One must apply and be found eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation services. There may be a waiting list for these services. 

DORS has transition counselors assigned to every public high school in Maryland and works specifically with students who have significant disabilities to prepare them for employment. DORS transition counselors work with eligible students during their last two years of school to both provide and arrange for services (such as career counseling and decision making, assistive technology, job preparation, post-secondary education assistance, job placement services, and job coaching services) to assist with transition planning to help ensure a smooth transition from school to post-secondary education or employment. 

Be sure to connect with DORS student services as early as your first year of high school and apply for additional services in your last two years of high school. Qualifying students can request Pre-Employment Transition Services as early as 14 years old when in at least high school. It is recommended that students apply for Vocational Rehabilitation services through DORS in the fall of their next-to-last year of high school. If eligible, Vocational Rehabilitation services may be available to the individual after they are no longer considered a student. Working with students during their last two years of high school gives DORS transition counselors ample time to provide transition planning and help ensure a smooth transition from school to post-secondary education or employment 

In order to be eligible for DORS services, you must have a physical or mental disability that seriously affects your ability to work, and you must need employment rehabilitation services in order to get or keep a job. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are presumed eligible for DORS services. 

You or anyone listed below may call your local DORS office or complete an online referral form on the agency website:

● School personnel with parental, guardian consent - click here for agency linkage consent form.
● Parents or other family members.
● Service providers.

DORS Referral