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Students with disabilities (SWD) are referred for pre-employment transition services from a variety of sources and are entered into the QE2 database at the time of referral.

Who may refer students? Special educators, guidance counselors, school nurses, school psychologists, speech language pathologists, administrators, regular educators, juvenile justice staff, community counselors, agency personnel, and parents/ authorized representatives may refer students to Nebraska VR. Students may also self-refer.

Who may be referred? 

• A SWD, ages 14-21

• A SWD eligible for and receiving special education services or related services under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or an individual with a disability for the purposes of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

• A SWD in an educational program, which includes secondary education programs, non-traditional or alternative secondary education programs, home schooling, post-secondary education programs, other recognized educational programs, such as those offered through the juvenile justice system

Examples of Impairments (this is not an exhaustive list):

•  Physical/Medical: cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, orthopedic impairment, heart condition, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Traumatic brain injury (TBI), autism

•  Mental Health: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), drug/alcohol abuse, adjustment disorder

• Learning: specific learning disability, intellectual disability, autism, speech/language impairment

 

When may a referral be made? Students may be referred at age 14 to begin the process of engaging pre-employment transition services provided by Nebraska VR.

Most students will begin their services with Nebraska VR with a signed Pre-Employment Transition Consent and Information Release form and be considered potentially eligible for Nebraska VR services. 

Students also have the option to apply for Nebraska VR services and be eligible for pre-employment transition services by virtue of being a SWD, age 14 to 21. SWD must receive at least one pre-employment transition service prior to eligibility determination.

How is a referral processed?

• Accept a completed Nebraska VR Referral form, or

• Accept a completed Pre-Employment Transition Consent and Information Release form

• Review Nebraska VR Referral form or Pre-Employment Transition Consent and Information Release form for completeness and accuracy (Social Security number is not required)

• Enter information in QE2

• Contact the student and parent or authorized representative within 10 days of the referral

• Schedule an appointment to provide Pre-Employment Transition Services Orientation and to complete a Pre-Employment Transition Services Consent and Information Release form (if necessary) or an application for VR services

• An authorized representative signature is required to give consent for students under the age of 19 and all students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP); best practice is to have the student sign all forms pertaining to their services in addition to the authorized signature. See Signatures Required on VR Documents

• Effective date: The VR Representative receiving the completed Pre-Employment Transition Services Consent and Information Release form or application for VR services shall acknowledge receipt by signing the form/application and dating the signature with the date and time the application was received. The effective date is the date a consent & release of information or an application, which has been signed by the authorized representative, as required and by the student consistent with best practice, is received by Nebraska VR. 

An authorized representative signature on the Pre-Employment Transition Consent and Information Release form is sufficient to verify the student’s disability for the purposes of Pre-Employment Transition Services (See. Further information should be gathered to assist with planning including the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) report, IEP, medical information, etc. from the school. It is appropriate to request records from authorized representatives. Please note that records cannot be paid for with an authorization in QE2 for the purposes of pre-employment transition services.

Students who have signed a pre-employment transition services consent and release form have access to the Client Assistance Program (CAP). Refer to the CAP chapter Client Assistance Program

Pre-Employment Transition Services Consent & Information Release - English

Pre-Employment Transition Services Consent & Information Release - Spanish

Pre-Employment Transition Services Welcome Letter

Pre-Employment Transition Services Welcome Letter Spanish

Signing of VR Documents chart

VR Referral Form - English

VR Referral Form - Spanish