Narrative: d. 1.

Transition services provide eligible students with disabilities the knowledge, skills and opportunities to make a successful transition to postsecondary education/training, independent living and competitive integrated employment based on their educational and career goals.

Pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS) are provided to individuals who are students with disabilities. A student with a disability as defined in Missouri is

• ages 16 through 21 and
• eligible for and receiving special education or related services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP); or
• an individual with a disability for purposes of Section 504 (individual does not need to have a 504 plan to meet the definition requirements).

Pre-ETS may be provided to individuals as young as 14 years old if pre-ETS is determined necessary by the IEP team.

MVR, in collaboration with DESE’s Office of Special Education and local education agencies, will provide or arrange for the provision of pre-employment transition services in the areas of job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, counseling on opportunities for postsecondary education/training, workplace readiness training, and self-advocacy, including peer mentoring, for all students in need of such services who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services.

Each local MVR district office will also participate in pre-employment transition coordination with the local education agency to include attending IEP meetings when invited, using conference calls and video conferences, when necessary; working with local workforce development entities and employers to develop work opportunities for students with disabilities; coordinating pre-employment transition services with transition services provided in accordance with IDEA; and, when invited, attending person-centered planning meetings for youth receiving services under Title IX of the Social Security Act. To effectively coordinate these services, MVR:

• conducted statewide training to include guidance regarding IEP participation for all MVR staff that serve students in Missouri high schools;
• worked in partnership with the Parent Advocacy Coalition Educational Rights Center to develop a video introducing VR services that can be shown at IEP meetings;
• conducted cross training on services to youth with local job center staff and MVR staff in Kansas City and St. Louis, the two largest metropolitan areas of the state;
• invited special education personnel to train new MVR counselors on transition services within the IEP;
• provided cross training with local CILs to include information regarding benefits planning; and
• is currently working in collaboration with DMH’s Division of Developmental Disabilities (DD) to provide cross training with MVR counselors and DD support coordinators regarding their respective services.

To deliver pre-employment transition services, MVR developed two summer programs, which include a six week paid summer work experience, one for VR eligible students with disabilities in partnership with CRPs and a program with CILs for students with disabilities who are eligible or potentially eligible for VR. MVR collaborated with businesses and school districts to provide services in these programs.

In addition, MVR is contracting with the University of Missouri (MU), College of Education, to provide assistance with the provision of pre-employment transition services. The University hired 43 transition specialists located across the state, who are certified teachers and can go into the classroom, to collaborate with local education agencies and MVR to provide pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities who are potentially eligible for VR services. Eight of the 43 provide pre-employment transition services in the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled.

MVR is also working with Wonderland Camp of Rocky Mount, an educational camp for children, teenagers and adults who have disabilities, to provide internship opportunities for both students and youth with disabilities. MVR sponsors students and youth with disabilities to participate in a week long Missouri Youth Leadership Forum, developed by the Governor’s Council on Disability that focuses on leadership, citizenship, and social and career development skills. MVR funds deaf/hard of hearing students to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology for a pre-employment transition services camp.

MVR is utilizing its business outreach specialists to work with employers, MU transition specialists and local education agencies on creating work experiences for students with disabilities. This collaboration, known as Groundhog Job Shadow Month, occurs in February. And, MVR is collaborating with its WIOA partners in providing seamless, coordinated services to youth and students with disabilities.

MVR has a policy that outlines transition activities and services including the timely development and approval of an individualized plan for employment (IPE) for each eligible student prior to leaving high school. MVR will provide for the development of the IPE as early as possible during the transition planning process, but, at least, by the time the eligible student leaves the school setting. The IPE will include specific transition services or pre-employment transition services and supports needed for an eligible student with a disability or a youth with a disability, including youth with the most significant disabilities, to achieve an employment outcome or projected post-school employment outcome. An IPE is required to be developed in consideration of and coordination with the IEP of a student with a disability under IDEA or a student’s Section 504 services. The IPE will be coordinated with the IEP and developed within 90 days from the date of eligibility determination and prior to a student with a disability exiting from high school.