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:
A pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) counselor and a Transition counselor are assigned to high schools in the state. Counselors provide direct services to students in the school setting under the core service categories for Pre-ETS, and they provide counseling and guidance on moving into transition services, fully affording students both knowledge and the means to enter into the vocational rehabilitation program.
In order for Pre-ETS to be provided in the school setting, an application for services must be completed by the entity proposing to provide services. The application must be reviewed and approved by a selection committee. Next, an agreement to operate within the school system is developed and approved by all parties. Pre-ETS require monthly reporting by the vendor, prior approval of the curriculum, and monitoring by ARS and the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) with collaboration and input from the local school officials.
Additionally, ARS has developed a plan to partner with school systems to provide Work-based Learning Opportunities Leading to Future Employment (WOLF). School systems complete proposals to provide services, which delineate Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and WIOA responsibilities. The partnership includes measurable criteria, a reporting structure, and a monitoring guideline.
The following are the responsibilities of ARS and DSB regarding transition planning and vocational rehabilitation services for eligible and potentially eligible youth:
- Designate vocational rehabilitation personnel to be responsible for the provision of technical assistance, consultation, and the development of statewide program strategies and procedures applicable for youth with disabilities and those eligible for 504 plans.
- Facilitate the identification of youth with disabilities who may benefit from vocational rehabilitation services as early as possible, but no later than the academic year in which the student turns 16.
- Make relevant data available about eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and track information about employment outcomes for youth with disabilities.
- Assign vocational rehabilitation counseling personnel to develop relationships with LEAs to formalize collaborative approaches to student outreach and transition planning and referral development and tracking.
- Make LEA personnel, students, and their families aware of the vocational rehabilitation program, including VR eligibility requirements (in accordance with 34 CFR 361.42), and the application procedures and scope of services (in accordance with 34 CFR 361.48) that are provided to all eligible or potentially eligible individuals.
- Provide the core Pre-ETS to eligible and potentially eligible students with signed parent/guardian consent beginning at age 16 for both ARS and DSB.
Procedures for Timely Development and Approval of Individualized Plans for Employment for Transition Students
The process for moving students into transition for the development and approval of an Individualized Plan for Employment includes having the Pre-Employment Transition Counselor first identify the students that want to participate along with the parents/guardians that have given their approval. The Participation Agreement Form captures who would like to move forward with signatures of the student and the parent/guardian. These forms will be made available to students with disabilities beginning at age 16, for those students who express an interest in pursuing competitive, integrated employment.
Next, a meeting is scheduled by the Pre-ETS Counselor for the Transition Counselor, Pre-ETS Counselor, Parent/Guardian, Student, and School staff. The IEP is reviewed along with the student’s progress in Pre-ETS services. This meeting is to explain the process, services, and the documents required in order for the student to apply for VR Transition services.
The party responsible for the student (parent/guardian/student) will be provided with a flyer that describes the steps of the VR process and the documentation needed to initiate the process The Pre-Employment Transition Counselor will facilitate a seamless referral to the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for Transition.
In order for the Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Counselor to move forward with an application, certain documentation is needed. The Pre-Employment Transition Counselor assists in providing a smooth referral process by giving clear copies of the following documents to the receiving counselor:
1. Demographic Form
2. Driver’s License or State Identification Card, if available
3. Disability Information (IEP, 504, or medical record)
4. Social Security Benefits Awards Letter (if available)
5. Income information (if available)
These items along with the complete referral packet is given to the receiving counselor. The Pre-Employment Transition Counselor then documents the date of referral.
Pre-ETS Students and Section 511
ARS has developed forms and processes to delineate that the required services and documentation are provided prior to entry into a subminimum wage situation.
Counselors contact each school they are assigned to at the beginning of the school year (1st semester of school) to inquire if any families or educators have identified their students as a potential candidate for sub-minimum wage/sheltered work. If a student is seeking subminimum wage, or if it is unknown whether or not the student could benefit from competitive integrated employment, the Pre-Employment Transition Counselor meets with the student and parent or guardian to provide informed choice and career counseling.
The counselors work with the high school transition team, the student, and their family to gather documentation of the transition services the student receives while participating in high school. This documentation will demonstrate the student’s ability to participate in competitive integrated employment.
If the VR counselor cannot make an eligibility determination due to the significance of a student’s disability, the counselor may request trial work experiences to determine if the disability is too significant for the student to benefit from VR services in terms of an employment outcome under 34 CFR 361.42(e).
If a student has participated in Pre-Employment Transition with ARS and/or through transition services offered by the school, and there is clear and convincing evidence that the student is not a candidate for competitive integrated employment as determined by the student’s participation in trial work, the counselor will gather the documentation (Individualized Education Plan, Transition Plan, Pre-employment Services Progress Reports, and/or the ARS Work Experience Progress Reports) and the appropriate forms will be signed and disseminated.
ARS forms require clear and convincing supporting documentation regarding a decision on the student’s ability to benefit in competitive integrated employment, signatures be obtained of all parties involved, all documents are presented at least 45 days after completion, that the method of transmission is documented, and that career counseling is again provided within 30 days of case closure.
Age for Pre-Employment Transition Services
Arkansas Rehabilitation Services and the Division of Services for the Blind Arkansas have agreed to begin Pre-Employment Transition Services at age 16 through age 21.