Located in:
- Program-Specific Requirements for Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services Portion of the Unified or Combined State Plan* must include the following descriptions and estimates, as required by section 101(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by WIOA:
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* Sec. 102(b)(D)(iii) of WIOA
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:
Training and technical assistance regarding the role, function and requirements of the vocational rehabilitation program in coordinating transition services with schools is an ongoing process. The Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Rehabilitation Services Memorandum of Understanding clarifies how to meet the individual needs of youth dually eligible for special education services and Michigan Rehabilitation Services. It outlines resource sharing and coordination. This aligns local policies, programs, and practices to support a seamless transition system. The Michigan Department of Education and Michigan Rehabilitation Services agree that quality student-centered planning requires shared responsibility and coordination of resources. When Michigan Rehabilitation Services resource sharing options are used, they do not replace services that are the responsibility of the Michigan Department of Education/Office of Special Education as directed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Personnel and financial resources are shared between Michigan Rehabilitation Services and local education agencies to address the transition employment needs of youth with disabilities under three defined options:
1. Interagency Cash Transfer Agreements (ICTA) - Established using non-federal local dollars as contribution for the purpose of capturing additional federal vocational rehabilitation funds to expand and enhance vocational rehabilitation services to students with disabilities. These agreements must include assurances required by the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services and the Rehabilitation Services Administration;
2. Third Party Cooperative Agreements (Certified Expenditures) - Agreements which entail the use of cooperating agency staff provided by the partner as a contribution to Michigan Rehabilitation Services. The partner documents specific expenditures have been incurred, such as wages for cooperating agency staff or supplies and Michigan Rehabilitation Services uses that value for match. The vocational rehabilitation services provided by this arrangement must not be the statutory obligation of the partner; and
3. Donations and Gifts - Contributions received by Michigan Rehabilitation Services from private individuals or organizations. These funds are used by Michigan Rehabilitation Services for cost sharing or matching. Donations and gifts cannot use in-kind contributions as an allowable source of matching funds and carry certain stipulations regarding conditions for use.
Agreements between local education agencies and local Michigan Rehabilitation Services districts may specify target students, goals and objectives, specific vocational rehabilitation services to be provided, and data sharing activities. Significant gains were made last year in improving the quality, consistency and clarity of the agreements and to better articulate the return on investment to educational partners. This continues to be a priority and an ongoing effort. The intermediate school district/local education agencies provide services as required under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Michigan Rehabilitation Services provides services to eligible students as specified in their Individualized Plan for Employment.
Local education agencies and Michigan Rehabilitation Services will continue to develop and maintain strong relationships with businesses to support the employment of individuals with disabilities. The Career Preparation system links schools, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, workforce investment agencies, and also routinely includes businesses in the planning and implementation of the program.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services continues to create partnerships, resources and capacity to support the provision of vocational rehabilitation services in postsecondary training when appropriate for students.
The Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Michigan State University Collaborative Careers Project is an innovative model to support joint customers of Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Michigan State University. The provision of postsecondary education and training by Michigan Rehabilitation Services has been decreasing over the past several years. This pilot project, as outlined in the interagency cash transfer agreement, addresses systemic barriers to accessing Michigan Rehabilitation Services and improves employment outcomes for students with disabilities participating in postsecondary education and training. Historically, access to Michigan Rehabilitation Services has occurred in the county in which an applicant resides. This project increases ease of access by stationing a Michigan Rehabilitation Services counselor on Michigan State University campus. The project is in the fourth year and capitalizes on a synergistic team approach to service coordination and delivery between the following:
- Michigan State University Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
- Michigan State University Career Services Network
- Michigan State University Rehabilitation Counseling Program
- Michigan Rehabilitation Services Counselor
- Michigan Rehabilitation Services Business Network Division
Students with disabilities benefit from the shared expertise and resources available, which would otherwise be more limited and challenging to access. Secondary benefits include access to a large number of potential employers through Michigan State University alumni, a research component involving the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, and diverse work-based learning opportunities on campus. Michigan Rehabilitation Services plans to replicate this model at other institutions of higher education in the state based on this project.
Adjudicated youth have been identified as an underserved population for Michigan Rehabilitation Services. This population is being served through the Adjudicated Youth Project in partnership with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Juvenile Justice. Emphasis is placed on assisting the individual to stay connected to Michigan Rehabilitation Services as they transition to their home community.