Helping Ohio Students with Disabilities Build a Path to Employment
Free Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for Students Ages 14–21 Through Opportunities for Ohioans with DisabilitiesEvery student deserves a clear path from the classroom to a fulfilling career.
If your child, student, or client has a disability and is between 14 and 21 years old, Ohio offers a powerful—and completely free—program designed to give them the skills, confidence, and realworld experience they need to succeed in the workforce.
At 1st Choice Family Services, we are a trusted local provider partnering with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) to deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) across the state. We help students bridge the gap between school and work—so they can step into adulthood with purpose and independence.
Ready to Get Started?
Call us at 614-235-1623 or email pre-ets@1stcfs.org today
What Are Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)?
Pre-Employment Transition Services—commonly called Pre-ETS—are a set of federally funded programs offered through Ohio’s Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) agency. These services are specifically designed to prepare students with disabilities for life after high school by giving them hands-on career exploration, workplace skills, and self-advocacy training.
Pre-ETS is not just a program. It’s a bridge—connecting young people with the confidence, knowledge, and experience they need to thrive in competitive employment, postsecondary education, or independent living.
Who Qualifies for Pre-ETS in Ohio?
Pre-Employment Transition Services are available to students who meet the following criteria:
Are between 14 and 21 years old
Can benefit from Pre-ETS services
Have a documented disability (learning, behavioral, mental health, mobility, hearing,
vision, or other)
Students are considered Potentially Eligible (PE) if they have documentation of a disability.
Accepted documentation includes:
IEP, ETR, or 504 Plan
Social Security Award letter
C/OEDI or C/FED documentation
Other diagnostic documentation (e.g., audiogram, psychological evaluation, vision
report)
Already have an open case with OOD?
A separate Pre-ETS request form is not required.
Students, families, and educators can work directly with OOD staff to get connected.
Five Services That Prepare Students for the Real World
Our Pre-ETS program covers five core service areas, each designed to build a different dimension of career readiness.
1. Job Exploration Counseling
Discover career paths that match your interests and strengths.
Students identify where they are in the career planning process, complete interest inventories, and conduct informational interviews with professionals in their fields of interest. They learn why employment matters—and how to find work that’s meaningful to them.
2. Work-Based Learning Experiences
Step inside real workplaces and gain firsthand knowledge.
From worksite tours and job shadowing to hands-on experiences at community businesses, students see what the working world looks like up close. They learn appropriate worksite behaviors and begin applying new skills in real settings.
3. Counseling on Postsecondary Opportunities
Explore every option available after graduation.
Students explore college, university, vocational training, and other adult learning pathways. They learn about financial literacy, budgeting, work incentives, FAFSA, scholarships, and how accommodations work on campus—from interpreting services to service animals and beyond.
4. Workplace Readiness Training
Build the social and professional skills employers are looking for.
Students practice mock interviews, complete job applications, build resumes, and may attend job fairs. They also learn about the impact of their personal social media profiles and how to communicate professionally—from email etiquette to voicemail messages.
5. Instruction in Self-Advocacy
Speak up, stand tall, and take ownership of your future.
Students develop a stronger awareness of their rights and responsibilities. They learn leadership skills, explore peer mentoring and advocacy groups in their communities, and build the networks that support long-term success in the workplace and beyond.
Don’t Wait — Your Student’s Future Starts Now
Pre-ETS services are available at no cost. Every month that passes is a month of career preparation your student could be gaining. Take the first step today.
FAQ
Is there a cost for Pre-ETS services?
No. Pre-Employment Transition Services are funded through Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and are completely free to eligible students and their families.
Does my student need a formal VR case to receive Pre-ETS?
Not necessarily. Students who are Potentially Eligible (PE) can access Pre-ETS without a full Vocational Rehabilitation case. Documentation of a disability is all that’s needed to get started.
What age does my student need to be?
Students must be between 14 and 21 years old and still in a secondary education program (or the equivalent) to qualify for Pre-ETS.
Can schools refer students directly?
Absolutely. Educators, school counselors, and transition coordinators can refer students by helping them complete the Request for Pre-Employment Transition Services form, or by contacting our team directly.
Where are services provided?
1st Choice Family Services partners with OOD to deliver Pre-ETS across Ohio. Services can take place in schools, at community worksites, or in other settings tailored to the student’s needs.