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d. 2. C. Roles and responsibilities, including financial responsibilities, of each agency, including provisions for determining State lead agencies and qualified personnel responsible for transition services;

Current Narrative:

Roles and responsibilities, including financial responsibilities, of each agency, including provisions for determining State lead agencies and qualified personnel responsible for transition services;

Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities for each partner agency as required by federal and state regulations are as follows:

  1. Local education agencies provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education for students with disabilities, including preparation for transition from school to work or other postsecondary activities.
  1. VR assists with student transition from secondary school to work through postsecondary training, education, or direct placement services necessary to achieve a successful employment outcome.
  1. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities focuses on reducing the use of sheltered workshops and other non-competitive employment day activities and promote opportunities for gainful employment for persons with developmental disabilities who choose to seek such employment (Chapter 393, Florida Statutes). Additionally, "to promote independence and productivity, the agency shall provide support and services, within available resources, to assist customers enrolled in Medicaid waivers who choose to pursue gainful employment." If an individual is eligible for APD waiver services and employment is a needed service, then this service must be provided to meet standards as outlined in Florida rule.
  1. Children's Medical Services ensures a smooth and successful transition process to adult healthcare services and providers for youth and young adults with special healthcare needs.
  1. Mental Health Services, in partnership with families and the community, provides a system of care that enables children and adults with mental health or emotional disabilities to live successfully in the community, become self-sufficient or to attain self-sufficiency at adulthood and realize their full potential. Mental health support and services enable adults and transitioning students to participate in community activities such as employment and other valued community roles.

Specific Purpose

Specific intent of the interagency agreement is to:

  1. Provide guidance to the local education agencies, VR, DBS, APD, Children's Medical Services and Mental Health Services' front-line employees, when serving students transitioning from school to work or postsecondary activities.
  1. Provide information to parents/students so they know what they can expect from the local education agencies, VR, DBS, APD, Children's Medical Services and Mental Health Services during the transition process.
  1. Provide parameters to the local education agencies, VR, DBS, APD, Children's Medical Services and Mental Health Services' administrators/managers/nursing supervisors when developing, negotiating and implementing local cooperative agreements.
  1. Encourage and support the participation of all agency personnel in the IEP process at the local level through the development of guidelines, policies and/or procedures.

Financial Responsibilities

The Department of Education, VR, DBS, APD, Children's Medical Services and Mental Health Services are committed to meeting financial responsibilities as required by law. Agency/Division heads for the organizations will periodically identify areas for improved programmatic and financial efficiencies and develop strategies to meet financial responsibilities, including joint appropriations requests from the state legislature and negotiations with federal agencies. Each party is financially responsible for the services it provides under its own laws and rules.

Conditions and Terms of Reimbursement

If a non-education agency fails to provide or pay for services for which they are responsible, and which are also considered special education and related services, the local education agency (or state agency responsible for developing the student's IEP) shall provide or pay for these services to the student in a timely manner. The local education agency or state agency may then claim reimbursement for the services from the non-education agency that was responsible for the provision of the services and failed to provide or pay for these services and that agency shall reimburse the local education agency or state agency in accordance with the terms of this agreement.