Cooperative Effort

VR services are provided to students with disabilities through a cooperative effort with school districts. A Memorandum of Understanding exists between the Nebraska Department of Education and Nebraska VR which acknowledges that both entities share responsibility to prepare students with disabilities for successful community employment. The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate the integration and coordination of transition services from school to post-secondary education and/or employment for individuals with disabilities, who are enrolled in secondary education and are eligible or potentially eligible to receive vocational rehabilitation services. A Transition Partnership Planning Form (see Transition Services Planner)  is developed yearly with every school district and outlines the terms of operation and collaboration between staff at a local level.

1. Target population: The target population includes students with disabilities. This includes students verified for special education and students with a disability for the purposes of section 504 accommodation plan.
2. Outreach: Schools are required to provide transition services and linkage to adult agencies for special education students only. Students under a 504 plan and students with other disabilities are the responsibility of "regular education". Consequently, our outreach must include not only special educators, but also guidance counselors, school nurses, and other appropriate administrators and regular educators. 

Serving Schools and Students. VR  pre-employment transition services should be provided in coordination with other school based services and can be provided in groups or on an individual basis based on the needs of the students and school. It is critical to understand that what we do in pre-employment transition is proactive in preparing students with disabilities for employment. In pre-employment transition, it is the movement toward vocational maturity and employment readiness that is critical. It is our belief that early intervention through the services we provide for students and schools contribute to increased vocational readiness that will ultimately result in a payoff for all stakeholders.

Outreach to Students and Parents. Helping students and parents understand the importance of transition planning is critical if transition efforts are to be successful. Our expectations regarding transition efforts must be reasonable and appropriate to this population, taking into consideration a student's age and level of maturity.