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:
(d) Coordination with Education Officials. Describe:
(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.
DORS considers service provision to high school students with disabilities and their families a high priority. The agency coordinates services with local educational agencies in order to identify diploma and certificate students with disabilities and provide services designed to help them prepare for and achieve employment and self-sufficiency. Vocational Rehabilitation services and Pre-Employment Transition services are coordinated both at the statewide level as well by regional directors and supervisors on a local level. Additionally, DORS collaborates with education officials to identify students and provide youth with disabilities documentation that the youth have completed certain activities, such as receipt of transition services and Pre-Employment Transition services, under the VR program prior to the youth engaging in subminimum wage employment, under section 511 of WIOA. According to the Ken Capone Equal Employment Act signed into law in Maryland in 2016, sub-minimum wage will be phased out by October 1, 2020.