Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Blind)
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan [13] must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by title IV of WIOA:
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[13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA
d. 2. D. Procedures for outreach to and identification of students with disabilities who need transition services.
Current Narrative:
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) has adopted the following procedures for outreach to and identification of Students With Disabilities (SWDs) who need transition services:
- BSBP counselors will work with LEAs to identify SWD and potentially eligible students that may benefit from the delivery of Pre-ETS.
- BSBP will assign VR counselors to work with LEAs to coordinate and implement the provision of Pre-ETS.
- Pre-ETS may be provided by either the LEA (under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]) or BSBP (under the Rehabilitation Act).
- School personnel, family members, guardians, or other interested persons may refer students for BSBP services.
- BSBP will provide school personnel, family members, guardians, or other interested persons the necessary forms to initiate Pre-ETS, transition or other VR services.
- BSBP in collaboration with LEAs may utilize a variety of activities to provide outreach to and identification of SWD in need of transition services and Pre-ETS. These activities may be conducted jointly and/or individually for student with IEPs, students with 504 plans and other potentially eligible student with disabilities not currently receiving services. Activities may include, but are not limited to, presentations to students and parents, IEP attendance, websites, brochures, conferences, professional groups/councils, and regular contact between LEA and BSBP personnel.
- Outreach activities and student identification by BSBP shall generally begin when students reach the 10th grade and minimally include dissemination of the following information:
- The purpose of BSBP;
- Eligibility requirements BSBP services;
- How to apply for BSBP services; and
- The scope of services that may be provided by BSBP, including Pre-ETS.
Not all eligible or potentially eligible students with disabilities will require all five required
pre-employment transition services, however, all should receive all needed services, as determined through informed choice and consultation with each student based on their strengths and needs and consistent with their IEP, when applicable.