DIVISION POLICY 2.37

SUBJECT

Transition Services

EFFECTIVE DATE

October 18, 2017

EXPIRATION DATE

This policy will be reviewed and updated as needed.

PURPOSE

To ensure transition services are provided to eligible students or youth with disabilities to assist in obtaining their vocational outcomes.

POLICY

Overview

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) has expanded both the population of students with disabilities who may receive services, but also the kinds of services that DBS may provide to youth and students with disabilities who are transitioning from school to post-secondary education and employment.

DBS provides a range of services, from most basic to the most individualized and intensive service, thereby meeting the evolving needs of a student or a youth with a disability who is transitioning from school to post-school life. Transition services are provided for students or youth with disabilities who have been determined to be eligible for services. Once determined eligible, an individualized plan for employment must be developed in accordance with Policy CS 02.14. The Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) must outline the specific devices and services, including any post-secondary training, the client may need to achieve an employment outcome.

Transition services

A coordinated set of activities for a student designed within an outcome-oriented process that promotes movement from school to post school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational training, competitive integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living or community participation.

The coordinated set of activities must be based upon the individual student's needs, taking into account the student's preferences and interests, and must include instruction, community experiences, the development of employment, and other post school adult living objectives, and acquisition of daily living skills and functional evaluation.

Transition services must facilitate the achievement of the employment outcome identified in the student's IPE; including outreach to and engagement of parents or, as appropriate, the representatives of students or youth with disabilities. [34 CFR 361.5 (a)(55)]

DBS counselors and VR staff will work with school-based Exceptional Student Education Specialists (ESEs) to request that the ESE:

• Serves as the transition referral point of contact to the VR counselor;
• Disseminates information regarding VR services, including pre-employment transition services;
  
• Makes referrals to the VR counselor of potentially eligible students with disabilities for the purposes of accessing pre-employment transition services;
  
• Meets with students, parents and school personnel to facilitate the involvement of the transition age student in career development, vocational evaluation, and vocational preparation activities and curricula;
  
• Works with VR counselors to develop and implement regionally conducted career related activities; and
  
• Encourages students to participate in DBS Summer and Academic Work Programs.

All transition services provided by DBS program staff must be documented by the counselor and included in the VR case file.

Students and Youth with Disabilities

DBS serves eligible transition aged students (age 14 up to 22), out of school youth (age 14 up to 24), and their families by providing an array of VR services that gives students and youth the tools necessary to prepare for, secure, retain, or regain employment consistent with their unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice. Coordination of individualized services is a critical component of transition. Therefore, DBS collaborates with students, their families, and local education officials to facilitate the eligible student's transition from the secondary educational setting to the receipt of vocational rehabilitation services - ultimately leading to the goal of employment.

Based on each individual student's unique needs, DBS transition services may include orientation and mobility, rehabilitation teaching, access technology and education services. In all cases, services provided by DBS program staff will be included on the student's Individualized Plan for Employment.

Signed by Robert L. Doyle, III, Director, on October 18, 2017.