Local Collaboration for Program Improvement Diana Kizer, CRC, LPC & Robert Eames, CRC Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services

Oklahoma Transition Programs Contracted School Districts – Rehabilitation Counselors 3 Dedicated Transition Units –14Counselors 5002 Total Transition Students 4831 Vocational Rehabilitation Students 171 Visual Service Students

Referral Process DRS is identified as “Lead Agency” Identify Students by 504’s (Diabetic & Vision), IEP & Emotional Disturbance. Contact with Teacher & Student/Parent. Attend IEP meetings, Face to Face or mail notification to Parents/Student.

Referral Process School VR/VS Post Secondary Training Outside Agency

Memorandum of Understanding Established in 2002 Defines Purpose and Definition Coordination of Service Procedures Agency Financial Responsibility Conditions and Terms of Reimbursement Interagency Dispute Resolution

Referral Sources College/University (2 year/4 year) Career Tech Private Trade School Oklahoma Workforce Oklahoma American Indian Tribal VR Program Oklahoma/Tribal Higher Ed Program Educational Opportunity Centers

Referral Sources Work Adjustment Program Supported Employment Agencies Developmental Disability Service Division (DDSD) Social Security Administration (SSA) Group Homes Placement Sheltered Workshop/Enclave

Referral Sources Community Mental Health Services SSI Benefits Coordinators Community Youth Services Workforce Oklahoma/JTPA

Transition School to Work Program Vocational Counseling & Guidance Vocational Assessment & Evaluation Work Study Work Site Learning Work Adjustment Training On the Job Training Supported Employment Job Placement

Transition School to Work Program Provide Drivers Education - Developed study manual with flash cards, practice tests, and book on tape - Referral to drivers training programs for assessment/training for more severely disabled. Provide Summer Transition Camp Provide Job Readiness Training Provide Resource Guide Provide Hierarchy of services availability

Collaborative Programs Job Club Tech Now Oklahoma Systems of Care (WRAP) Information Fairs Summer Youth Program (JTPA) Department of Labor – Child Labor Department of Health OSU Extension Special Olympics

Oklahoma State Department of Education, State Personnel Development Grant Two Teams identified to improve/increase transition services in the rural areas – Kiamichi - Durant and Kiamichi - Hugo Professional Development - Transition Assessment Training provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education, National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center (NSTTAC) & University of Oklahoma Zarrow Center for Learning Enrichment. Pre/Post Testing Tool developed by NSTTAC Grant money for purchasing Transition Related Assessment & Tools. Self Determination Assessment/Curricula Training

Barriers & Challenges Maintaining on going relationships with individual districts due to staff changes. Identification of Roles between Transition Specialist/Teacher & VR Counselor. Involvement with School Administration in the IEP Process. Parental Involvement. Tracking of students after graduation

Barriers & Challenges Post Secondary Institutions NOT addressing IEP needs of the student. State Agency Involvement. Long waiting list for adult services in many localities. Eligibility versus Entitlement Programs. Large caseload sizes for VR/VS Counselors. Employment within the community Cultural Barriers

Strategies Provide Ongoing Professional Development Promote Awareness on Transition Issues Develop Program Evaluations. Involve Administration and regular ed teachers in All Transition related activities Provide Student Self Determination and Advocate Training Provide Parental Advocate Training Begin Agency Referral process early in the school year and follow up prior to senior exit Post School Follow Up Survey

Strategies Establish Roles/Responsibilities between Transition Coordinator/Teacher and DRS Counselors Raise community awareness through active student participation in community events Mentorship within students community Involve Tribal entities in Transition Process

Questions?