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Idaho PYs 2020-2023

Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Blind)

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:

    __________

    [13] Sec. 102(b)(2)(D)(iii) of WIOA

    • g. Coordination with Employers

      Describe how the designated State unit will work with employers to identify competitive integrated employment and career exploration opportunities in order to facilitate the provision of:

g. 2. Transition services, including pre-employment transition services, for students and youth with disabilities.

Current Narrative:

Pre-Employment Transition Services -

In addition to regional activities that are put on throughout the year, ICBVI host three main summer programs:

Work Readiness Camp – This one-week program is a collaborative effort between ICBVI, IESDB, and IDOL. This program focuses on job readiness skills, and helps to prepare students for summer employment experiences, or participation in our SWEP program.

College Days – This one-week program is for students who plan to pursue higher education after high school. This program is a collaborative effort between ICBVI, IDOL, and Boise State University.

Summer Work Experience Program - Every summer, ICBVI hosts transition aged students with disabilities (SWD) for a 7-week Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) in Boise. Students eligible for Pre-ETS from across the state participate in the SWEP program. Throughout the program, all of the five required Pre-Employment Transition Services, as identified under WIOA, are delivered. ICBVI staff work with community employers to host our students for a work experience program. Students are paired with employers based upon interest and ability. 

In addition, ICBVI’s Project Coordinator for Transition Services, in collaboration with regional staff, will develop and implement Pre-ETS activities and programs in every region of the state.

In 2018, ICBVI launched a innovation program entitled the Visually Impaired Students Transitioning in to Adulthood (VISTA) Leadership Program. This program is specifically for transition aged students who are eligible for Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).

The definition of leadership, for the purposes of this program, is more contemporary from a theoretical perspective, with a student-informed emphasis to program design. This contemporary, strength-based approach; which leverages the student's contextual resources (e.g., healthy relationships, engagement and access to community) is consistent with the theories of positive youth development.

There are 3 elements that make up the foundation of the VISTA Leadership Program:

  • Social Emotional Learning
  • Service Learning
  • Mentoring (both peer and adult)

The formal program is one-year in length, and graduates of the VISTA Leadership Program mentor and support the incoming cohort and will continue to be supported up to their 22nd birthday, or in the event they are no longer eligible for Pre-ETS.