Narrative: d. 2. A.

DVR continues to monitor and implement the state-level agreement between DVR and CDE. This agreement promotes flexible and collaborative planning and service delivery among DVR, local education agencies, local school districts, and other state and community agencies for youth who are transitioning from school to work and/or post-school activities which lead to employment. The agreement promotes accessible, timely and uniform vocational rehabilitation services for all Colorado students who have a disability and require vocational rehabilitation services. Additionally, the agreement encourages education agencies to develop, implement and promote pre-ETS and career exploration for students with disabilities prior to their referral to DVR for services. Finally, the agreement defines how transition planning must occur to assure that vocational rehabilitation services complement the transition services provided by education agencies. Consistent with education requirements, transition planning must begin what the student is 15 years old, and local education agencies are expected to invite DVR representatives to the IEP meeting, with parent consent. The transition IEP coordinates the plans developed with other agencies, including DVR, to support effective transition. DVR's policy manual also stipulates the time of referral as occurring when the student's focus begins to shift toward employment. This allows the DVR Counselor to work closely with the eligible student, and his or her parent/guardian, to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) before the student leaves the school setting (or if Colorado DVR is operating under an order of selection, before each eligible student able to be served under the order leaves the school setting). The key tenets of the agreement have been developed into a desktop guide, updated annually and entitled the “CDE/DVR Cooperative Services Handbook for Youth in Transition". Thousands of these handbooks are distributed each year to youth, parents, educators, rehabilitation counselors and community–based agency providers.

Currently, DVR is partnering with CDE to update the interagency agreement signed in 2017 and the accompanying handbook. The 2017 update incorporated changes within WIOA and vocational rehabilitation regulation, but now will expand to include components related to the Student Data Transparency and Security Act (PDF) (HB 16-1423; C.R.S.22-16-101 et seq.), Employment First For Persons With Disabilities (SB 16-077), and the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) now the Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V).  These editions will extend to DVR’s agreement with Institutions of Higher Education as well when this is updated. The purpose will be to educate partners on shared data and how it can be utilized in the design of effective service provision for strengthening post-secondary outcomes. Simultaneously, Colorado along with our education and CTE partners hope to create a Transition Cadre that includes agency representation of the WIOA state plan to develop a strategic plan to increase equitable access for all students with disabilities to Alternative Cooperative Education (ACE) while promoting increasing competitive integrated employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Once complete, the interagency agreement will guide local interagency operating procedures identified as an outcome for the June 2020 Transition Leadership Institute.

The introduction of Pre-ETS to Colorado’s education partners initially was met with anxieties.  Education partners struggled to understand how Pre-ETS did not supplant their mandated services under IDEA. Additionally, DVR staff were overwhelmed with how to implement. Our partnership with CDE has assisted in the delivery of messaging to local education partners through Director Meetings, newsletters and regional cadres. DVR has an ongoing and close partnership with leadership from CDE's Exceptional Student Services unit. This allows for routine and reciprocal technical assistance between DVR and CDE. Staff from both agencies regularly meet to collaborate on how to best support educators, DVR Counselors, community partners, and families to meet the transition needs of students and youth with disabilities. Local education partners may seek technical assistance and consult with DVR through various levels and methods of communication. At times, the local DVR Supervisor will consult with local education partners, such as when developing local practices for referral and DVR participation in IEP meetings. Other times, local partners will outreach to state level leadership within CDE and DVR to guide broader issues that arise in meeting and negotiating transition requirements of both systems.

Four Lead Rehabilitation Counselors specializing in transition services assist in providing mentoring and training DVR staff across the state specific to transition. These Counselors provide technical assistance and consultation to facilitate local partnerships and the development of effective transition services. DVR continues to develop guidance and tools, which will address day-to-day operational questions for field staff and education partners. 

DVR also collaborates with educators to reach out to and identify students with disabilities who might benefit from vocational rehabilitation services. Meeting these needs remains a challenge, particularly within the rural and mountainous areas of Colorado, as well as for students who have the most significantly disables. The use of technology has helped to increase collaboration within large rural geographic areas, but could be utilized more. Those areas utilizing technology have been able to conduct one-on-one meetings with students and Pre-ETS workshops, including career preparation, connecting activities, youth development and leadership. Additionally, DVR staff have the capacity to video chat when feasible. This is successfully and widely used with young adults and the agencies and families who support them. DVR’s Youth Services and Transition Unit is using technology, including Zoom to provide technical assistance, support and training to education and DVR partners simultaneously on topics that support partners as they strive to meet the ever growing need of Colorado’s youth with disabilities who are preparing for career entry.

DVR intends to further explore social media and other electronic means of communication to attract youth, and as a mechanism to deliver Pre-ETS to students with disabilities. Using this technology is intended to improve client engagement and rapport with youth and DVR continues to pursue options such as Podcasts to reach more students. 

Colorado recognizes a need to refine the delivery of Pre-ETS and is exploring with education partners how to best provide students with Pre-ETS that are intentional in order to make a positive contribution to the IEP outcome.  DVR is also beginning to analyze available data with an eye toward identifying gaps and developing staff training to improve service delivery.