Voc Rehab focuses transition services on students with disabilities

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation hosted its third series of capacity building training endeavors focusing on Pre-Employment Transition Services for students with disabilities.

Through the partnership fashioned by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) with the National Technical Assistance Center for Transition (NTACT) out of Idaho, consultant Dr. Alison Lowenthal conducted training on island for the employees of OVR and Special Education Division of the Department of Education.

This training endeavor was provided by NTACT free of charge and it was for five (5) days starting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 and ended Monday, September 8, 2025.

Dr. Alison Lowenthal is a senior faculty specialist at the Center for Transition and Career Innovation at the University of Maryland. In her role, she supports schools, communities, and government agencies by providing expert guidance to help improve the transition from school to work or further education for students with different abilities.

Dr. Lowenthal has over 25 years of experience working in special education, transition planning, and vocational rehabilitation- with a strong focus on helping young people with differing abilities.

Before joining the University of Maryland, Dr. Lowenthal served as the state transition manager at the Idaho division of Vocational Rehabilitation. She also worked with the Departments of Education in both Idaho and Colorado, helping to coordinate services that support students as they move from school to adult life.