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
- o. State's Strategies
Describe the required strategies and how the agency will use these strategies to achieve its goals and priorities, support innovation and expansion activities, and overcome any barriers to accessing the VR and the Supported Employment programs (See sections 101(a)(15)(D) and (18)(B) of the Rehabilitation Act and section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)):
- o. State's Strategies
o. 4. The methods to be used to improve and expand VR services for students with disabilities, including the coordination of services designed to facilitate the transition of such students from school to postsecondary life (including the receipt of VR services, postsecondary education, employment, and pre-employment transition services)
Current Narrative:
The CDOR has been working with CDE to expand the uppermost age range for a student with a disability to be ages 16 through 21, or upon matriculation from high school, whichever is later, for the purposes of the goals and objectives within the State Plan and the CDOR/CDE Interagency Agreement, and the provision of DOR Student Services. For potentially eligible or VR eligible students with disabilities who meet criteria in the California Education Code Section 56026 and who are receiving CDOR Student Services, CDOR will extend the timeframe for receiving services beyond the age of 22 based upon the student’s birth month, but not beyond the point at which a secondary school student exits their special education program.
In addition to the CDOR/CDE Interagency Agreement and Appendix A, the CDOR developed three new resources: a Collaboration Worksheet, CDOR School Contact List, and a CDOR Student Services flyer. It aims to support the development of strategies that will work best in each LEA and CDOR district. Topics include but are not limited to referral to CDOR Student Services, student access, and other key processes - understanding that different areas will have different resources and needs.
The CDOR continues to meet with California’s Special Education Local Planning Areas directors biannually to maintain communication between CDOR and students with disabilities.
On a regular basis, CDOR and CDE send out joint communication to staff to keep them apprised of the needs of students with disabilities.
The CDOR Director and CDE’s Director of Special Education conduct joint speaking engagements to speak of the need to fully integrate education so that every student regardless of disability be mapped from the educational system to employment.
Most recently, CDOR has been working closely with LEAs for provision of services during COVID-19 through joint stakeholder calls and CDOR leadership connecting with all schools.
Refer to the “Systems Alignment, Coordination & Integration” priority, goal two objectives and strategies for additional information on the response for Description (o)(1) – State’s Strategies.