Transition to Employment (TTE)

The L.I.F.E. Transition to Employment (TTE) program focuses on enhancing skills for future employment. Consumers work on a full spectrum of activities and skills needed for successful employment from surveys identifying strengths and weaknesses to formal mock interviews. The program also continues to enhance key independent living skills such as kitchen and knife safety, food safety, medication, finances, and more. This employment service program is funded by the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and is a competitive program that accepts individuals 16 and older.

TTE Training Activities

  • person handing money to another person

banking, budgeting, making change

safe ladder use, safe lifting, safe knife use …

collating, stapling, filing, mailing

food-handling and food service skills

knowing personal information, creating a resume, searching for jobs, performing at job interviews

working with others, managing conflict

Transition to Employment (TTE) Program Leadership

ASHLEY WATZKE
ASHLEY WATZKEManager of Day Treatment and Employment- DTA, DTT, DTS, TTE, GSE

Role:
  • As the Manager of Day Treatment and Employment, my job is to ensure we are providing the best service we can while ensuring we are always following the guidelines set forth by the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). I create and follow through with any policies and procedures we need for our programs. I work with consumers, their families, and DDD Support Coordinators to create functional and meaningful goals for our consumers. I train and assist staff in all programs so they can support our consumers in these goals to the best of their ability. I am also part of L.I.F.E.’s Leadership Team. This team meets regularly to discuss ways to continue to improve our services. We work collaboratively in this effort in our unique transdisciplinary approach.
Career History:
  • I have been lucky to work in different settings since August of 2008, serving children and adults with developmental disabilities. I have been with L.I.F.E. since July 2013 where I started as a habilitation provider in the community and then later in the adult program on campus. I quickly fell in love with the values and support L.I.F.E. offered to not only the clients but also to staff and I felt privileged to become and serve as a teacher in the academy, later growing into Student Services Supervisor. I have recently moved into this new role as DTA/DTT/DTS manager. I’m very excited for this adventure and will strive to serve all to the best of my ability.
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
  • “Love what you do and never work a day in your life” - Unknown
Personal:
  • I have been married to my best friend for almost 4 years now and when we are not at work, you can find us chasing around our crazy wild daughters. In 2015, while I was teaching pre- school within the L.I.F.E. Academy, I had a student that at the time was in search of her forever home. Little did I know this little girl would become a huge part of my husband and my life. We adopted her in 2017 and she is now our daughter! As a family we enjoy weekends at home hanging out with our family and going camping when we can! We absolutely live for football season and the Arizona Cardinals; we won’t miss a game.
JULIE SWEET
JULIE SWEETLead of Transition to Employment (T.T.E) Program

Role:
  • I teach consumers in the Transition To Employment (T.T.E.) program how to become employable and maintain a successful job. I facilitate 3 jobs the consumers have around campus. I also teach a curriculum that aligns with the AFLS standards.
Education:
  • I attended Mt. Hood Community College. Gresham, OR
  • I have over 100 hours of Special Education training.
  • 3 years of Transition training
Career History:
  • I have worked in Special Education for the past 27 years. I have worked in 5 states from K- 12th grade. My favorite job prior to working at L.I.F.E. was as a Transition Specialist for Mesa Public Schools. I received intense training and mentoring to help develop a new transition program for their school district. I came to L.I.F.E. in July 2018 as a part of the transition team.
Personal:
  • I am originally from Portland, Oregon. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 39 years. I have two children and two grandsons that are the light of my life.

Other Day Treatment and Employment Programs

Contact Us for More Information About L.I.F.E.

call us at 480-621-8361 EXT 136 or complete this form

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