Narrative: j. 2.

(A) Consultation and technical assistance, which may be provided using alternative means for meeting participation (such as video conferences and conference calls), to assist educational agencies in planning for the transition of students with disabilities from school to post-school activities, including pre-employment transition services and other vocational rehabilitation services; 

The previously mentioned interagency cooperative agreement facilitates the coordination of transition services among RSB, the SEA and LEA's in planning for the transition of students with disabilities from school to post-school activities, including pre-employment transition and vocational rehabilitation services. RSB provides for consultation and services for pre-employment transition services such as job exploration counseling, work based learning experiences, counseling on opportunities for post-secondary education, workplace readiness training and instruction in self-advocacy which may include peer mentoring. 

Further information is provided for VR eligibility, and VR transition services.  These include Vocational Rehabilitation services, postsecondary training programs, and connections to community agencies/resources that may be appropriate for transition planning.  RSB can collaborate with the LEA to provide for work experience opportunities such as internships, apprenticeships, and employer-driven skills training.

RSB provides consultation and technical assistance to the Office of Special Education through active participation in the Missouri Interagency Transition Team (MITT) and the Missouri Blind Task Force. Individual consultation and technical assistance may be provided by RSB to LEA's and students with disabilities and/or their families during an IEP or 504 meeting, during a person-centered planning meeting when invited, etc. Consultation and technical assistance may occur in person, by conference call, video conferencing, or another agreed upon means.

(B) Transition planning by personnel of the designated State agency and educational agency personnel for students with disabilities that facilitates the development and implementation of their individualized education programs (IEPs) under section 614(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; 

Missouri students with disabilities receiving special education services in accordance with the IDEA are also required to receive transition services as part of their IEP beginning at age 16. If such services are determined appropriate by the student’s IEP team, a student younger than 16 may receive transition services as part of the IEP. RSB may provide pre-employment transition services to students with disabilities beginning at the age of 14.

RSB participates in the facilitation and development of the IEP wherever possible. The student, LEA, IEP team and RSB jointly determine when and if pre-employment transition services are needed as well as when employment preparation should begin. If RSB is unable to attend in person, the LEA arranges an alternative means by which RSB can participate such as a conference call or video conferencing. For those students who have been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, the development of the Individualized Plan for Employment is coordinated with the student's IEP goals and services. Unless an extension is agreed upon by the student or legal guardian development of the IPE must occur within 90 days of the eligibility determination. The IPE must be developed prior to the student exiting from high school.

(C) The roles and responsibilities, including financial responsibilities, of each agency, including provisions for determining State lead agencies and qualified personnel responsible for transition services and pre-employment transition services;

Plans, policies, procedures, and financial responsibilities of each party is specified via an interagency cooperative agreement. The parties to the agreement include the Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services (Vocational Rehabilitation), Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and the Office of Special Education and Office of Career Readiness.

The agreement further facilitates the coordination of transition services to students with disabilities. It contains guidance on the primary source of service provision including the educational agencies’ financial responsibility for education related services. The agreement further defines RSB’s agreement to pay for employment related transition services provided in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act.

Roles and responsibilities of qualified personnel who are responsible for transition services are also specified. This includes guidelines and procedures for outreach and identification of students with disabilities who are in need of transition services. The agreement also ensures joint planning of individualized educational plans and individualized plans for employment. It provides opportunities for students to receive “for credit” work experiences through the Cooperative Work Experience Program.

(D) Procedures for outreach to and identification of students with disabilities who need transition services and pre-employment transition services. Outreach to these students should occur as early as possible during the transition planning process and must include, at a minimum, a description of the purpose of the vocational rehabilitation program, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and scope of services that may be provided to eligible individuals;

RSB counselors will provide outreach to and identification of students with visual disabilities in need of transition services. Students are not required to have an open vocational rehabilitation case to participate in outreach activities. RSB counselors and children’s specialists collaborate with local schools districts and DESE to facilitate referral processes. RSB staff and school districts identify overlap in educational goals and services and determine financial responsibilities. RSB also utilizes community resources, such as local job fairs to disseminate program information. The Prevention of Blindness Program has provided vision screenings to high school students in the Department of Social Services High School Career Fair.  POB has also begun to attend back to school fairs. Through these collaborations and braiding of services, RSB increases outreach to students and improves student transition into employment.

VR and RSB outreach will inform education staff, students, and as appropriate, families, and other authorized representatives about the purpose of the vocational rehabilitation program, VR and RSB eligibility requirements, application procedures and the scope and services that may be provided to eligible individuals.

RSB advocates for early awareness of vocational rehabilitation services to minimize gaps from school to post-school activities. RSB is committed to outreach activities to facilitate pre-employment transition services designed to provide necessary supports for obtaining independence, post-secondary education, and employment. Examples of outreach activities include:

• Missouri Interagency Transition Team (MITT): The Missouri Interagency Transition Team (MITT) promotes interagency collaboration in Missouri at the state level by establishing a group vision for improving outcomes for young adults with disabilities. MITT consists of diverse state-level members, including RSB, that meet quarterly to share resources, develop goals and promote activities to improve transition education, pre-employment transition services, and post—secondary outcomes. It holds the annual Summer Transition Institute to provide further information and resources to education and RSB personnel regarding matters affecting students with disabilities.
• Blind Task Force (House Bill 401): Members are appointed by the Commissioner of Education in cooperation with the department of Social Services and include an RSB staff person, education personnel, parents, blindness professionals, and representatives from blindness consumer groups. The purpose of the Blind Task Force is to develop goals and objectives to guide the improvement of special education, related services, vocational training, and transition from school to work, rehabilitation services, independent living and the employment outcomes for eligible blind or visually impaired students. Accomplishments of the Blind Task Force include:
• • The bi-annual Vision Summit for Parents and Educators of Children with Visual Impairment/Blindness. Topics focused on the provision of appropriate education services, accommodations, and pre-employment transition services for students who are blind or visually impaired
  • The creation of a "Blindness Skills Specialist" position at each of the DESE Regional Professional Development Centers whose responsibilities include coordination of "services available from other entities who serve eligible students.”.  DESE has contracted with three specialists, one located at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO, and two located at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO.
  • Submission of an annual reports from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to the Missouri Legislature. The report is to include the number of students with visual impairments receiving special education services who: 1) receive transition planning services with the cooperation of RSB as part of their Individual Education Plan; and 2) are referred to RSB.
  • Establishment of a joint referral system between the Division of Special Education in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and RSB.

(E) Coordination necessary to satisfy documentation requirements set forth in 34 CFR part 397 regarding students and youth with disabilities who are seeking subminimum wage employment; and

Chapter 17 of the RSB Policy Manual “Extended Employment and limitations on the use of subminimum wage” provides RSB staff with guidelines on the required documentation for consultation with students and youth who are seeking subminimum wage employment. RSB assigns a Central Office staff person responsible for coordinating with district offices upon becoming aware of any individual that seeks to obtain subminimum wage employment. Central office provides the required form documentation to district office staff. Completed forms are reviewed by the Central Office staff person prior to submission in accordance with RSB Chapter 17 and 34 CFR 397.31.

(F) Assurance that, in accordance with 34 CFR 397.31, neither the SEA nor the local educational agency will enter into a contract or other arrangement with an entity, as defined in 34 CFR 397.5(d), for the purpose of operating a program under which youth with a disability is engaged in work compensated at a subminimum wage.

The interagency agreement provides the assurance that an LEA may not enter into a contract or make other arrangements with a subminimum wage employer for an individual who is age 24 or younger for which work is compensated at a subminimum wage.  The agreement specifies that students who seek to obtain subminimum wage employment are informed that neither RSB nor the SEA/LEA can provide services to obtain subminimum wage employment.   Students are informed that vocational rehabilitation services are intended to achieve an employment outcome in a competitive-integrated employment setting.

RSB informs the student that Vocational Rehabilitation Services are available should the applicant wish to pursue competitive-integrated employment. This includes the opportunity to receive Pre-Employment Transition Services. RSB provides information regarding RSB’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).