When students with disabilities graduate high school, many families feel lost and wonder, “What comes next?”
“The last thing I wanted was for him to be sitting at home watching tv all day,” says Charnette, Myles’ mother. “That’s heartbreaking when you know he has so much more potential.” That’s why Charnette took a proactive approach, enrolling her son, Myles, in Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) with SOAR365.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) help students with disabilities ages 14–22 explore careers, build job skills, and prepare for life after high school.
Who Qualifies for Pre-ETS?
Pre-ETS is designed to start early, so students with disabilities can build confidence and direction before graduation.
- Open to students ages 14-22 (who are still in school).
- Students must have a qualifying disability (504, IEP or other documented disability).
Who Oversees Pre-ETS in Virginia?
The program is overseen by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Faced with a shortage of providers in Central Virginia, DARS asked SOAR365 to offer Pre-ETS.
In 2025, SOAR365 served 68 students and is planning to be able to support 250 by 2028.
But the community need is even greater. Currently, 650 students in the DARS Richmond district alone are waiting to receive these services. SOAR365 is growing its program to meet those needs.
Why Is Pre-ETS Important?
Adults with disabilities face significant barriers to employment, including transportation, workplace accessibility issues, and a lack of ongoing job coaching and accommodations.
- Only 47.6% of working-age adults with disabilities in Virginia are employed.
- Nationwide, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities ages 16-64 was 8.8% in 2025. That’s more than twice the rate for people without disabilities in the same age group (4.1%).
By graduation, many young people with disabilities haven’t gained the skills necessary to find and keep meaningful jobs. Without a strong foundation, they face an increased risk of long-term unemployment or underemployment.
That’s why Pre-ETS is so crucial. Through Pre-ETS, students with disabilities can explore and even try out a variety of jobs and find what works best for them. Along the way, they’ll learn new career and life skills to help them be more independent. They’ll also practice social skills and learn to advocate for their needs.
What Services Are Included in Pre-ETS?
Pre-ETS consists of five key services:
1. Job Exploration Counseling – researching different career options and building motivation
2. Work-Based Learning Experiences – hands-on learning through workplace tours, job shadowing and internships
3. Workplace Readiness Training – developing key social and independent living skills, like budgeting and interviewing
4. Counseling on Educational & Training Options – learning about post-high school training and educational opportunities that match their areas of interest
5. Instruction in Self-Advocacy – expanding communication and leadership skills by advocating for their own wants/needs, whether in school or workplace settings
In 2023, DARS provided Pre-ETS to 44,471 students with disabilities across Virginia — up from 34,650 in 2021 and 41,826 in 2022. The four most sought-after services were workplace readiness training (11,113 students), job exploration counseling (10,559 students), work-based learning experiences (8,953 students), and instruction in self-advocacy (7,641 students) – all of which are offered by SOAR365.
Thanks to SOAR365’s network of local business partners, students can try a variety of job environments and find what works best for them. Employers benefit from our students’ strengths and talents, while the students learn valuable career skills. The workplace also offers plenty of practice for social interactions, independent living skills, and self-advocacy.
That was true for Myles. While he was enrolled in Pre-ETS, Leo Castro, Pre-ETS Supervisor, arranged for him to have work-based learning experiences – including a successful internship at Walgreens. There, Myles’ friendly nature helped him shine as a customer service associate. It also prepared him for the next step after graduation: Supported Employment.
What Is the Difference Between Pre-ETS and Supported Employment?
Pre-ETS starts as early as age 14, while a student is still enrolled in high school. It helps introduce students with disabilities to adulthood and the world of work. By laying a solid foundation of career and life skills, it gives them a head start, shortening the gap between school and employment.
Supported Employment is SOAR365’s rapidly growing vocational rehabilitation program, which is also overseen by DARS. It’s designed for adults with disabilities, ages 18 and up, who are interested in working and who are looking for help to find and keep a meaningful job. Here, each participant is matched with a dedicated job coach. SOAR365 job coaches have experience with a wide range of support needs and job possibilities. Our job coaches:
- Take the time to learn each participant’s interests, strengths, goals and support needs.
- Arrange visits to local businesses so participants can practice different skills and try out different workplaces.
- Assist participants with the job application and interview process.
- Provide on-the-job guidance and set up the supports each person needs to succeed.
Some of our Pre-ETS participants, like Myles, move into Supported Employment after graduation.
Myles’ internship at Walgreens was going successfully when the Walgreens fulfillment center opened. Leo took Myles on a tour. “He fell in love with the combination of AI and robots. His attention to detail was his strength, and he takes directions very well. So, it was a perfect environment for him,” says Leo.
Since Myles had already done work-based learning in Pre-ETS, he was ready to move straight to the job development phase of Supported Employment, securing a job with Walgreens. Now, he’s been working at the fulfillment center for over a year, with the help of his job coach.
“I am proud!” says Myles. “I’m really happy because he loves it,” says Charnette. “It’s been a hard journey, so to see Myles so successful is pretty amazing.”
How to Get Started With Pre-ETS
Families interested in Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) can start by talking with their child’s school team. You can request a referral through your school counselor, transition coordinator, or special education case manager. Families can also contact DARS directly to ask about eligibility and next steps. Starting early gives students more time to explore careers, build job skills, and plan confidently for life after high school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pre-ETS
What does Pre-ETS stand for?
Pre-ETS stands for Pre-Employment Transition Services.
Is Pre-ETS free?
In most states, Pre-ETS is provided at no cost to eligible students through Vocational Rehabilitation funding.
Does my child need an IEP to qualify for Pre-ETS?
Students typically need documented disabilities, but an IEP is not always required.
When should students start Pre-ETS?
Students can begin as early as age 14 to allow time for exploration before graduation.
Have more questions? Feel free to reach out to SOAR365’s Director of Employment Services, Chris Martin, at (804) 381-5405 or by email at [email protected].