Easter Seals Disability Services

The McComb Transition Success Program

Karl McComb, Visionary and Community Advocate

The McComb Transition Success Program at Easter Seals Southern Nevada began with Karla McComb, one of the greatest leaders in disability services in the State of Nevada.  Karla believed that all people with disabilities could succeed in pursuing an education, a career and ultimately, an independent life.  Easter Seals Southern Nevada believes in that same vision.   Karla always created positive change in the lives of the people she touched and it is an honor to continue her work of greater independence for everyone, without regard for age or ability.

 Mission

The McComb Transition Success Program empowers individuals with disabilities or special needs to create positive solutions for change.  Through person centered counseling and group social skills training, individuals will gain greater independence and acquire coping and adjustment skills to realize success in achieving their life's goals.

What is Transition?

Transition is a change that can occur at any point in life, to anyone of any age.  Whether the individual going through transition is a high school student with a visual impairment or an adult with acquired hearing loss, changes often impact one's ability to move forward with life's daily functions such as work, leisure and the necessity of maintaining healthy relationships.  Easter Seals believes that providing access to quality counseling, social skills training, and other transition related services equips individuals to meet the challenges of transition and realize success in achieving their life's goals.

 What Services Do You Receive?

Easter Seals caring staff provides services that include individual counseling related to transition and coping and adjustment.  A social skills training group which incorporates individual sessions for maximum benefits is also available.  Additional services such as creating a transition plan and financial aid research as well as scholarship application assistance are incorporated to ensure each client's unique situation is addressed.  A written report suitable as a guide to acquisition of services accompanied with information and referral will be provided to the individual and their support team.

1. Counseling/Intake

• Initial interview to discuss goals and individualized needs.
• May include client's family and support team professionals as needed.

2.  Individualized and Group Social Skills Training

• Individuals participate in five individual and five group sessions that will train appropriate social skills for persons with disabilities to empower them to engage themselves for a successful work and personal life experience.

3.  Individualized Coping and Adjustment Counseling Sessions

• Begins with comprehensive bio/psycho/social assessment report for determining appropriate goals.
• Access to individualized sessions that will assist client in developing healthy coping skills in order to adapt to daily challenges of life with a disability.
• Client and support team receive progress reports detailing adjustment techniques and Client success.

4.  Written Report

• All services will include a written report appropriate for the vocational setting or tailored to Client and support team needs.  This report may include community information and referral.

5.  Follow-Up

• Easter Seals Staff will follow-up with the Client and support team to verify the outcomes of the assessment and recommendations, and offer any additional support as needed.

Meet Raquel O'Neill

Raquel is a Licensed Social Worker for Easter Seals Southern Nevada. Raquel is licensed in Nevada and graduated with her Master's Degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2006.  Raquel first joined Easter Seals as a Transition Coordinator for McComb Transition Connect in 2006 where she assisted high school students with disabilities with job readiness or college preparation.  In 2007 Raquel was hired as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for Services to the Blind and Vision Impaired. 

Raquel is excited to be returning to the Easter Seals Family to create the new McComb Transition Success Program.  Recognizing that transitions occur in all stages of life, Raquel is taking her comprehensive knowledge to provide person-centered services in the areas of social skills, coping and adjustment, and career planning.