News

North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) was recently honored during a statewide Pre-ETS Lunch and Learn meeting hosted by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), a division within the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). NCESD was recognized for its exceptional work in delivering Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) in part of Region 1. This recognition celebrates NCESD’s commitment to supporting students with disabilities in preparing for life beyond high school, particularly in rural communities where access to such services has historically been limited.

As a contractor selected by DVR, NCESD provides transition services to students aged 14–22 who have an IEP or 504 Plan and are eligible for vocational rehabilitation. NCESD’s services span Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, and Grant counties and are designed to help students explore career paths, build workplace readiness, and develop self-advocacy skills.

Throughout the year, NCESD provides services to local school districts in the form of workshops on self advocacy, workplace readiness, post-secondary education counseling, and job exploration. Students also participate in work-based learning experiences that involve learning on a worksite through job site tours, informational interviews, and paid internships.

During the Lunch and Learn meeting, Sandra Duron, Regional Transition Consultant at DVR, highlighted NCESD’s responsiveness to district needs and its ability to adapt quickly to diverse student populations. 

“NCESD’s flexible and student-centered approach has allowed for individualized support of both self-contained and resource-level students while maintaining consistent communication and collaboration with district staff,” Duran said.

Special recognition was given to Ashley Curtin, NCESD’s Secondary Transition Coordinator, whose leadership and compassion have been instrumental in building meaningful connections with students, families, and educators to ensure more students access available transition resources.

“Many of these schools had no knowledge of DVR, Pre-ETS, and the services available,” Duran added. “Ashley’s commitment to serving youth has had a profound impact on countless lives.”

In the last year, NCESD has supported students in the following schools: Brewster High School, Methow Valley Independent Learning Center, Methow Valley High School, Cashmere High School, Eastmont High School, Liberty Bell High School, Soap Lake High School, Waterville High School, Bridgeport High School, Entiat High School, Okanogan Outreach High School, Okanogan High School, Highland High School in Omak, Tonasket High School, and Grand Coulee Dam High School.

These services are transforming the transition landscape for students in rural Washington, one workshop, internship, and success story at a time. To learn more about Pre-ETS and how NCESD is supporting student-powered storytelling and career readiness, visit our Pre-ETS webpage or contact Ashley.