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. B. Transition planning by personnel of the designated State agency and educational agency that facilitates the development and implementation of their individualized education programs;
Current Narrative:
A. The roles and responsibilities of The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) are to:
- Provide consultation to assist in the identification of eligible and potentially eligible Students With Disabilities (SWD) and assess their individual needs for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
- Provide consultation to LEAs on transition planning to prepare a student to move from school to competitive integrated employment or post-secondary education in accordance with the student's unique needs as determined through the Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) process and provision of Pre-ETS.
- Provide information to parents and/or guardian(s), student/clients regarding VR eligibility, vocational assessment for employment and post-secondary planning and Client Assistance Program.
- Obtain written consent for the release of confidential information, pursuant to BSBP policy and procedures, federal and state laws and regulations regarding confidentiality.
- Provide contact information for BSBP personnel and office locations.
- Provide brochures and materials about the VR process and services to LEAs for distribution to the students, parents, legal guardians, teachers and others.
- Participate with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) in joint training of education and VR staff as needed.
- Inform MDE, LEA personnel, students, legal guardians and parents of the mandates found in the Rehabilitation Act and its implementing regulations, which require the student with a disability exiting school to be referred to BSBP prior to entering subminimum wage work with a 14c certificate holder.
- In collaboration with LEAs, provide or arrange for the provision of Pre-ETS to all SWD in need of such services.
B. The responsibilities of the Michigan Department of Education within its authority are to:
- Partner with BSBP to ensure that students can participate in programs and services that will result in a seamless transition to post-secondary training and employment.
- Identify local and statewide opportunities for SWD that would enhance their education and transition services.
- In partnership with BSBP, provide technical assistance and training regarding the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to LEAs and other stakeholders identified by the MDE, including parents, families, guardians and students relating to the provision of Pre-ETS and other transition services.
- Encourage collaboration and coordination between LEAs and BSBP to minimize duplication and maximize resources, services and opportunities for SWD.
- Identify a point of contact at the Department of Education’s Low Incidence Outreach (LIO) Program.
- Encourage coordination between LEAs and local -BSBP offices, to ensure the provision of disability documentation prior to the provision of Pre-ETS, and/or copy of the Individual Employment Plan (IEP)/504 for students referred with appropriate consent as required by State law and the requirement to provide all special educational services or related transition services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) required to be provided by the school system under Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in accordance with Section 101(c) of the Rehabilitation Act and 34 VCFR 361.22(c) of its implementing regulations.