FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
    JIM HORNE
    Commissioner of Education
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
    Members
    SALLY BRADSHAW
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    LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
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    CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
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    JULIA L. JOHNSON
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    WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
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    MEMORANDUM
    November 1, 2003
    To:
    Directors of Exceptional Student Education
    Directors of Career and Technical Education
    District Finance Officers
    From:
    Loretta Costin, Director, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
    Shan Goff, Deputy Chancellor, K-12 Education
    Nancy Cordill, Director, Office of Workforce Education
    Subject:
    Third Party Cooperative Agreements
    The Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), supported by the
    Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services (BISCS) and the Office of Workforce
    Education, is seeking to enter into third party cooperative agreements (TPCA) with Local
    Education Agencies (LEA) throughout the state. Through the development of cooperative
    agreements, DVR and BISCS intend to expand and improve services that lead to employment for
    students with disabilities, as well as maximize the funding available for school-to-work transition
    services in the state of Florida.
    A TPCA involves joint funding of vocational rehabilitation (VR) services for individuals who
    are students with disabilities and who are eligible for VR services. DVR will provide a 1:1
    match for non-federal funds that are contributed by the LEA, thus doubling the funding available
    for collaborative services.
    DVR has current agreements with several LEAs for job placement and supported employment
    services. Other potential areas for collaboration include:
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    Expansion of Career and Technical Education programs for students with disabilities;
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 201-7400 • www.fldoe.org

    Directors of Exceptional Student Education
    Directors of Career and Technical Education
    District Finance Officers
    November 1, 2003
    Page 2
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    Vocational training and career exploration;
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    Work experience programs for returning graduates with special diplomas;
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    Case management and liaison services between the LEA and DVR; and
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    Rehabilitation technology services.
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    Benefits to the LEA include:
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    Increased financial resources for the provision of transition services for students with
    disabilities;
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    An expanded range of transition options for students with varying levels of disability;
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    Improved technical assistance in the area of transition for teachers;
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    Increased family involvement in the transition process; and
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    Increased agency involvement in the transition process.
    If you are interested in exploring the potential of an agreement between your district and the
    division, we encourage you to contact Allison Chase, VR Administrator (850-245-3348).
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    LEA Transition Specialists
    SEDNET Project Managers
    FDLRS Associate Center Managers
    DVR Area Administrators
    Linda Champion

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