Young Adult Transitions


The Young Adult Transitions (YAT) program partners with school districts and Vocational Rehabilitation Services to provide students and youth with disabilities training, opportunities, and services to achieve competitive integrated employment. YAT also promotes experiences for each intern to develop the tools to live as independently as possible as well as participate and have a meaningful role in their communities.

The program is year-round and each intern’s schedule is determined by their IEP/ISP team. A typical day begins at 8:15am and ends at 3:00pm. The YAT building is located at 1326 6th St. Brookings, SD 57006.

Curriculum

Curriculum for the YAT program is developed from Pre-employment Transition Services appointed by Section 511 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2016. These areas include:

  • Job exploration counseling

  • Work-based learning experiences in an integrated environment

  • Post-secondary education counseling

  • Workplace readiness training to develop social skills and independent living skills

  • Instruction in self advocacy


Daily Schedule

Link to schedule

In addition, interns participate in Project Skills experiences throughout the week. Their schedule is dependent on each experience.


Independent Living

In addition to gaining skills to work independently, YAT helps prepare interns to live as independently as possible. YAT has a fully functional kitchen, bathroom, dining room, bedroom, and laundry room to provide students with “real-world” knowledge about cleaning, cooking, and maintaining a home.


Young Adult Transitions Staff

Ramona Kauk, MS, CRC, CESP

Young Adult Transitions Instructor

For more information regarding the YAT Program, please complete the following form: