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
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
Describe the designated State agency's procedures and activities to establish and maintain a comprehensive system of personnel development designed to ensure an adequate supply of qualified State rehabilitation professional and paraprofessional personnel for the designated State unit, including the following:
- i. Comprehensive System of Personnel Development; Data System on Personnel and Personnel Development
i. 6. Coordination of Personnel Development Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
As appropriate, describe the procedures and activities to coordinate the designated State unit's comprehensive system of personnel development with personnel development under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Current Narrative:
MVR works closely with the Office of Special Education and school districts to coordinate staff development activities and services for students with disabilities.
Throughout the year, MVR staff and special education personnel from both the state and local levels focused on participation in special education transition-related trainings/professional development activities. Examples of these activities include attendance and presentations at the DESE Transition Summer Institute, Missouri Council of Administrators of Special Education and Missouri Parents Act’s (MPACT) Tools for Life Transition Summit. MVR coordinates opportunities for representatives providing pre-employment transition services to be a part of training and professional development activities. MVR hosted Transition Kickoff events for VRCs and special education teachers around the state. The events were originally held in Kansas City and Springfield and are now being replicated statewide.
The Cooperative Work Experience Program (COOP) agreement is an interagency state and local program between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Special Education, MVR and Career Education); Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB); and local school districts in the state of Missouri. The agreement is embedded in the state transition MOU and is available for all school districts. The purpose is to facilitate the coordination of transition services from school to post-secondary training and/or employment for students with disabilities who participate in special education programs and are eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services. The MOU outlines roles and responsibilities among participating agencies and school districts in the development of off-campus work experience programs. Through these programs, students with disabilities who are receiving services through an IEP can earn high school credit in accordance with Missouri high school graduation requirements for the number of hours they work in a paid competitive, integrated employment setting. Additionally, MVR continues to work collaboratively with providers and local school districts to meet transition needs of students.
MVR, the Office of Special Education, school personnel and CRP staff are involved in partnership activities, joint training and technical assistance activities. Two assistant directors of transition and section 511 services is a member of the Missouri Interagency Transition Team and an active member of the state’s Special Education Advisory Panel. An MVR staff member familiar with transition services is an active member of the MPACT Board.
State Rehabilitation Council: The State Rehabilitation Council reviews and comments on the development of the CSPD plan and related policies.