This session will be three-fold with the first part of the session focusing on summer programming and the evidence behind the importance of summer involvement for youth with disabilities. The second part of the session will focus on statewide vocational rehabilitation updates from state VR leadership. And the final part of the session will focus on the partnership between the American Job Centers, WIOA youth programs, and Vocational Rehabilitation Services to provide opportunities for Tennessee youth to prepare for and experience employment.

Presenters:

Blake Shearer, Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Director
Blake Shearer is the VR Transition Director with the Tennessee Department of Human Services who has a passion for helping to improve the postsecondary outcomes of students with disabilities through collaborative efforts. He, along with a statewide team of over 25, help to oversee Pre-Employment Transition Services, Transition School to Work grants, and Tennessee’s 17 Project SEARCH programs.

Triniti Holden, Pre-Employment Transition Services Supervisor
Triniti is the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Supervisor for Shelby and Fayette Counties in Tennessee. Triniti graduated from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with her Bachelors in Education. After serving years as an educator in low socio-economic areas of the city, Triniti segued to the transition services team at TN Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services as a Pre-ETS Specialist, prior to being promoted to Pre-ETS Supervisor.

Linda Fisher, Middle Tennessee CTRC Area Manager
Linda is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with a Master of Education in Rehabilitation Services from Auburn University. Ms. Fisher has nearly 24 years of experience in the field of Rehabilitation Services. She has worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Masters, Manager of the CTRC Shelbyville, and is now the CTRC Area Manager for Southern Middle Tennessee.