Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation (Combined or General)
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. 1. The designated State unit's plans, policies, and procedures for coordination with education officials to facilitate the transition of students with disabilities from school to the receipt of VR services, including pre-employment transition services, as well as procedures for the timely development and approval of individualized plans for employment for the students
Current Narrative:
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) has established plans, policies, and procedures for coordination between MRS and education officials designated to facilitate the transition of the students who are individuals with disabilities from the receipt of educational services in school to the receipt of vocational rehabilitation services under the responsibility of MRS. This includes the provision of Pre-ETS and the timely development of an IPE prior to graduation from exit for secondary education.
The following provides additional detail on coordinating efforts and activities:
- MRS and Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Interagency Agreement (IA) – As required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, this IA defines how MRS and MDE plan and coordinate transition services, including pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities;
- The IA serves as a guide for the subsequent development of local level Interagency Cash Transfer Agreements between MRS and Local Education Agencies (LEA);
- MRS is part of a multiagency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2016. The purpose is to strengthen interagency collaboration to promote students with disabilities exiting secondary education with competitive integrated employment and/or a connection to post-secondary. Partner agencies include: The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, MDE, Michigan Workforce Development Agency, Michigan Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration, and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council;
- An MRS representative sits on the Michigan Interagency Transition Team (MITT). This team provides a state level collaborative infrastructure to align supports and services that ensures a seamless transition for all students with disabilities in the K-12 education system into adult life;
- As part of Michigan’s Employment First initiative, MRS participates in a multiagency effort to coordinate and implement Seamless Transition as an evidence-based model for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities;
- MRS has approximately 30 VR counselors dedicated to the provision of Pre-ETS for potentially eligible students with disabilities; and
- The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) is a mandated advisory council that consists of 25 governor appointed delegates representing 25 organizations and 8 at-large appointments. An MRS representative sits on the committee as an ex-officio member providing bureau information, updates, and technical guidance.
Additional coordination between MRS and education include the following programs or projects:
- Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and MRS Summer Program - This program provides work-based learning opportunities and supports at DNR sites statewide for students with disabilities;
- Project SEARCH (PS) - Michigan has multiple PS sites jointly developed by MRS, education and business. This one-year employment preparation program takes place entirely at the workplace and provides a combination of classroom instruction, career exploration, and hands-on training through worksite rotations. The program culminates in individualized job development and competitive integrated employment;
- Post-secondary Education Rehabilitation Transition (PERT) Program - The PERT program provides a one week comprehensive vocational and independent living assessment. It’s offered as a summer program at Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) for students with disabilities in secondary education;
- Summer College Experience Program for Students with Disabilities - In partnership with Western Michigan University, this program is designed as an exploratory introduction to post-secondary education. Program components include classroom instruction and extracurricular activities to establish skills essential to transitioning from secondary to post-secondary education or employment; and
- Adjudicated Youth Project - In partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Children’s Service Agency, this project aims to lower recidivism rates, provide workplace readiness training, and increase employment outcomes for adjudicated youth returning to the community.