HomeMy WebLinkAboutIdaho Division of Vocational RehabilitationI.
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE IDAHO DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND
BONNEVILLE DISTRICT #93
PT]RPOSE
The Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) and Bonneville District #93 enter into
this agreement solely to facilitate the transition of students with disabilities from K-12 public
education into adult life. This transition to adult life may involve any or all of the following goal
oriented activities: post-secondary education, training and job placement, direct placement into
appropriate employment (to include supported employment if required), advocacy and any other
activities that are relevant to the student and within the scope of IDVR's mission and role.
Additionally, IDVR will collaborate with the District to provide or arrange for the provision of
pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities who are in need of these
services. Pre-employment transilion services include: job exploration counseling; work-based
learning experiences that are provided in a competitive integrated environment, to the maximum
extent possible; counseling on opportunities for enrollment in comprehensive transition or
postsecondary educational programs at institutions of higher education; workplace readiness
training to develop social skills and independent living; and instruction in self-advocacy. These
pre-employment transition services may be provided to students who are eligible for or receiving
section 504 services, in addition to students eligible for or receiving services under an IEP.
Students with disabilities who are not on a section 504 or who are not on an IEP are also eligible
for Pre-employment transition services. IDVR will not provide pre-employment transition
services that the school customarily provides under IDEA.
Transition planning and services are a required component of Individual Education Plans under
the Individuals with Disabilities E<lucation Act (IDEA).
To this end the parties to this agreement will work together to:
A. Assist the student with disabilities to make informed choices regarding their adult living
goals. The student's parents or guardians will be included in this planning process.
B. Ensure compliance with the relevant transition planning and provision of services
processes as required by the lndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), P.L.
105-17.
C.Ensure that all transitioning students with disabilities engage in an assessment of their
ability to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services as allowed for by the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (WIOA), P.L. I l3-128.
Use the provisions of IDE.A and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to
benefit individual students with disabilities; by developing a cooperative, team approach
to transition that is seamless rather than fragmented.
D.
Revised April 14, 2022
II.PROGRAM AND SCOPE OI- SERVICES
IDVR and Bonneville District #93 Agree:
This agreement recognizes that the parties are entering into a relationship which
emphasizes a multi-disciplinary team approach to transition and Vocational
Rehabilitation. A multi-disciplinary team includes the VR Counselor, student,
parent or guardian, and school staff. This will allow for flexibility yet will also
recognize that those services which are distinctive to the credentials of a specific
staff will be performed by that staff.
That those obligations specifically assigned to the parties to this agreement by
law, regulation or rule will not be violated in the discharge of this cooperative
agreement.
That they will collaborate in the development of the transitioning student's
Individual Education Plan (IEP) and the development of any relevant
lndividualized Plan for Employment (IPE). Approval of the IEP is vested with
School District #, the student, and his,4rer parents or guardian. Approval ofthe
IPE is vested solely with IDVR, the student, and his/her parents or guardian.
That the determination of the student's eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation
services rests exclusively with IDVR.
That they will share student information as necessary. (See Section IV regarding
confidentiality of student information).
That they do not illegally discriminate in employment, eligibility for services or
type of service provision based solely upon considerations of race, color, creed,
age, sex, or disabling condition. They further agree that they do not contract or
otherwise do business with other parties or entities that do.
That each party wrll individually keep such records as required by law, regulation
or rule. Said records will be open to official audits required by State or Federal
Law.
2.
-r_
1.
7.
5.
4.
6.
B.Bonneville District #93 Ap;rees:
l. To transfer to IDVR certifiable non-Federal monies in the amount of $7,408.80
for SFY 2023, based upon the estimated annual enrollment and upon receipt of
appropriate billing, of certihable non-federal monies which IDVR will use to
match available federal monies appropriated under the Rehabilitation Act. These
monies will be used expressly for allowable costs incurred by IDVR in the
furtherance of this cooperative agreement. (please see attachment #1
incorporated by reference for clarification ofbreakdown of monies per school or
school district.) Written verification will accompany payment indicating that no
portion ofthe payment is from federal funds and has not been used to match any
other federal grants.
Revised April 14, 2022 2
2.
3.
When applicable, provide access to confidential office space, office furniture,
and telephone service suitable for staff assigned by IDVR at no additional cost to
IDVR.
That ifthe school district desires to relocate the Vocational Rehabilitation Office,
the district agrees to pay associated moving and connectivity expenses. IDVR
requires a minimum of 90-day advance notice for relocation, in or out of the
current physical location. The school district must provide the appropriate level
of technical suppo( to accommodate the move requirements, to be coordinated
with IDVR technical personnel.
To refer transitioning students with disabilities to IDVR at age 16 (or younger, if
appropriate) so that IDVR may become involved in the Individual Education
Plan (IEP) team, the determination of the required transition services, assistance
in the IEP development, assessment of eligibility for Vocational Rehabilitation
services, and the development ofthe Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
School persorurel will work collaboratively with the VR Counselor to ensure that
students connect with VR.
To invite the VR counselor to participate in the IEP development team for all
referred students.
6. To provide training to the assigned VR Counselor regarding the school's
responsibilities under IDEA.
7. To provide services mandated by IDEA and other enabling legislation,
regulations or rules without impacting IDVR case service dollars (i.e. the District
will act as the first resource for services required by law and pertinent rules
and/or regulations goveming Special Education and other education services for
K-12 students with disabilities) to provide a free and appropriate education
(FAPE).
8. To the maximum extent possible, provide the IDVR Counselor with existing
information used by education olficials (reference:34 CFR 361.42 (d) (l) (i))
which may include medical, psychological, educational and social history records
that the district may have for the student with a disability, in order to assist the
VR Counselor to make an appropriate determination of program eligibility and to
determine appropriate Vocational Rehabilitation services to be provided within
the requirements ofthe Family Education Rights an Privacy Act (FERpA).
IDVR Aglees:
l. To use District-donated funds and State General Account monies to match
Federal Vocational Rehabilitation funds sufficient to serve the population
addressed by this cooperative agreement.
2. To provide a VR Counselor and a Vocational Rehabilitation Assistant to serve
students with disabilities refened by School District #.
3. That the VR Counselor will consult with educators conceming possible refenalof students, including when students should be referred to IDVR. School
4.
5.
C.
Reised April 14, 2022
-l
4.
5.
personnel will work collaboratively with the VR Counselor to ensure that
students connect with VR. Additionally, the VR Counselor will provide written
recommendations, if requested, for use in developing the IEP.
That the VR Counselor may attend IEP team meetings and activities for each
referred student upon timely invitation by the appropriate school personnel.
That the VR Counselor will accept referrals, determine eligibility and,
collaboratively with the student's IEP team, develop appropriate IPEs for those
students determined eligible for VR services. Vocational Rehabilitation
eligibility determrnation is vested solely with IDVR. The scope of Vocational
Rehabilitation services will be determined with the members of the
interdisciplinary team.
To provide IDVR services to eligible transitioning students. IDVR requires a
search for comparable benefits (e.g. Medicaid, SSI) and the completion of a
Customer Financial Participation Assessment for customer financial participation
prior to expenditure of IDVR funds. If one or more IDVR services is also
identified by the student's IEP team as necessary for the student to receive a free
appropriate public education (FAPE), IDVR is released fiom the pursuit of
parentaycustom€r financial participation, in accordance with IDEA.
To instruct the IDVR staff to work closely with the student's classroom
teacher(s) to ensure appropriate coordination between the classroom activity and
the Vocational Rehabilitation services being provided. In this process the VR
Counselor will provide in-service training to relevant District personnel on all
aspects of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
All state plan requirements, including a state's Order of Selection, will apply to
all services provided under this cooperative agreement.
6.
7.
8.
III.DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
The parties agree to resolve disputes that arise in the provision ofVocational Rehabilitation
services to students, and to ensure that services are not disrupted by using the following process
to resolve such interagency disputes.
Al1 attempts should be made to resolve disputes regarding transition services and fiscal issues
at the lowest level possible (closest to the student).
When the dispute is between agencies, the officer or individual in charge ofspecial
Education and IDVR Regional Manager will meet and resolve the issue.
Ifthe issue cannot be resolved as stated above, then the dispute will be referred to the
Administrative offices ofthe school District and the IDVR Field Services chieffor final
resolution.
Revised April 14, 2022 4
IV.CONFIDENTIALITY OF STI.'DENT INFORIT{ATION/RECORDS
Because the Bonneville District #93 and the IDVR staff will be jointly working with the student
to develop appropriate transition plans, they may be required to exchange student information on
regular basis. This agreement will allow for the exchange of information in the best interest of
coordinated transition services. All students will be informed of the relationships of the parties to
this agreement at the time of referral. The student and/or their parent or guardian will be asked to
sign a release of information form at that time. Signing of the form will allow IDVR and the
Bonneville District #93 to exchange information.
Each party to the agreement may not share information secured under the terms of this agreement
with other non-parties of this agreement unless specifrcally required by law or under separate
written release by the student or his/trer parent or guardian.
V. DURATION OF AGREEMENT:
The terms of this agreement are in effect July l, 2022 and will continue for one state fiscal year,
ending June 30ft of 2023. The agreement may be terminated at any time due to failure of either
the Idaho State Legislature or the United States Congress to appropriate such funds required to
successfully discharge the terms of this agreement. If termination of the agreement is needed, a
30-day notice is required, regardless of which party initiates termination.
Jane Donnellan
Administrator, IDVR
Date
John Orose
Region 6, Manager,IDVR
Date
ZoZL
Superintendent, School District #93
Revised Apil 14,2022
I
Attachment #1
IDVR & School Districts 93,91,59,251,252,60
Cooperative Agreement
Matching Funds SFY Distribution
SFY 23:
SCHOOL DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
ENROI.LMENT
krades Yh-|2'|h)
PERCENTAGE OF
FUNDS
COST TO DISTRICT
Bonneville District 93 4',.\04 40 s7,408.80
Idaho Falls District 9l 3300 30 $5,556.60
Firth District 59 221 2 $370.44
Jefferson Joint District 251 2t00 19 $3.519.1 8
Ririe District 252 240 2 $370.44
Shellev District 60 735 7 $r,296.s4
TOTALS 10.900 100 $ 18,522
Revised Apil 8, 2022