Oklahoma’s BEST STEP Program Helps Spiro High School Students with Disabilities Gain Job Skills and Work Experience
Oklahoma students with disabilities have a unique opportunity to gain valuable job skills and hands-on work experience during the summer through the BEST STEP program. This initiative is designed for students who are at least 16 years old, have a documented disability, are clients of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) or have potential eligibility, and plan to return to school in the fall.
BEST STEP is a collaborative effort between Oklahoma DRS, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Oklahoma Workforce Boards, Kiamichi Technology Center, Spiro Public School, and local employers, ensuring students receive the support and training needed to enhance their career readiness.
The program consists of two key components:
🔹 Building Employment Skills for Today (BEST): A one-week summer program (Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) where students engage in activities to build job search skills, explore career interests, develop workplace readiness and social skills, learn about post-high school education and training programs, strengthen self-advocacy, and experience peer mentorship—all in a fun, interactive setting. The week kicks off with an in-depth orientation and paperwork completion on Monday.
🔹 Summer Transition Employment Program (STEP): A four-week paid* internship where students gain real-world work experience in their local communities, supported by job coaching assistance.
BEST STEP provides students with a pathway to employment success by fostering independence, workplace skills, and confidence. Through hands-on experiences and direct employer engagement, participants leave the program better prepared for future job opportunities.
For more information on how to apply or to learn more about the BEST STEP program, visit https://oklahoma.gov/okdrs/students/transition/beststep.html.