June 21, 2002
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
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School District Superintendents
Vocational Rehabilitation Area Directors
Exceptional Student Education Administrators
Career and Technical Education Directors
Adult Education Directors
Community College Occupational Deans
FROM:
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Shan Goff, Chief
Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services
Division of Public Schools and Community Education
Loretta Costin, Director
€
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
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Nancy Cordill, Chief
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Bureau of Program Planning and Development
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Division of Workforce Development
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SUBJECT:
Interagency Collaboration and Transition for Students with Disabilities
The Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services (BISCS), Division of Public
Schools and Community Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and the
Bureau of Program Planning and Development, Division of Workforce Development (DWD) are
mutually committed to collaborate in the development of a coordinated support system which
meets the needs of Florida’s children and youth with disabilities and promotes their successful
transition into the community and the workforce.
The purposes of this memorandum are to
affirm this state level commitment and to promote interagency collaboration for transition at the
local level.
Thus this memorandum should be shared with staff who have responsibility for
transition activities.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act address
transition requirements for students with disabilities and require interagency collaboration to
ensure that transition services are delivered in a coordinated manner to minimize gaps, maximize
Interagency Collaboration and Transition for Students with Disabilities
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June 21, 2002
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Page Two
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the efficient use of resources, and promote positive student outcomes. Several initiatives
are in place and others are being planned to facilitate interagency collaboration at the
state and local levels and increase the number of students with disabilities who
successfully transition from school to adult life.
At the state level, BISCS, DVR, DWD, and other agency representatives participate in
the Agency Partners for People with Disabilities, an interagency council that meets on an
ongoing basis to address issues across agencies impacting individuals with disabilities.
Agency Partners members identified transition as a major issue on which to focus
attention and resources. A state level interagency cooperative agreement is in the process
of revision and will be disseminated statewide. Also, an action plan was developed that
identifies activities to implement the interagency agreement and promote policies and
practices that facilitate collaboration.
Project
CONNECT
, funded by BISCS, was initiated to increase the involvement of
educators, individuals with disabilities and their families, community-based
organizations, agencies, and businesses in the transition planning process. Local Project
CONNECT
sites (currently 18-25 sites/21-28 counties) are:
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Forming or revitalizing local interagency transition councils
•
Conducting focus groups to identify local community needs
•
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Identifying strengths, gaps, and barriers to interagency collaboration in transition
planning
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Developing local solutions for local problems
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Developing local interagency cooperative agreements or ways of work
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Implementing recommended transition practices
State level project staff are developing a statewide infrastructure for support and
collaboration and collecting data to identify needs and evaluate implementation.
State
level agency staff are actively involved in this project, using recommendations from local
sites in planning and policy development.
BISCS, DVR, and DWD will continue to work closely together to promote collaboration
among appropriate agency personnel responsible for transition at both state and local
levels. Activities will include:
•
Providing collaborative funding for transition-related projects
•
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Developing and disseminating products designed for a diverse audience (students,
families, educators, and agencies)
•
Disseminating information relating to statutes, rules, policies, and promising practices
•
Supporting cross-agency training at the state, regional, and local levels
Interagency Collaboration and Transition for Students with Disabilities
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June 21, 2002
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Page Three
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Each district is encouraged to establish a working team of representatives involved in
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transition to ensure effective coordination of services between local education and
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vocational rehabilitation agencies.
State staff as well as Project
CONNECT
staff and
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participants are committed to providing technical assistance and support to district teams.
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Please do not hesitate to contact the staff listed below if you have questions or need
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additional information.
We look forward to working with you as partners in the
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transition effort to ensure that all of Florida’s students with disabilities reach their desired
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postschool outcomes.
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Janet Adams
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BISCS
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850/488-1106
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SC 278-1106
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E-mail:
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adamsj@mail.doe.state.fl.us
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SG:LC:NC/jal
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Cecil Bradley
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DVR
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850/488-6210
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SC 278-6210
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E-mail:
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bradlec@vr.doe.state.fl.us
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Joyce Lubbers
Project
CONNECT
352/392-0701
E-mail:
jlubbers@coe.ufl.edu
cc:
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ESE Transition Contact Persons
FDLRS Managers and Transition Contact Persons
Project
CONNECT
Site Coordinators
Agency Partners for People with Disabilities
Developmental Disabilities Council Employment
Task Force Members
Gary Blumenthal
Community College Contacts for Services for
Students with Disabilities
Vocational/ESE Contact Persons