TRANSITION

   AGREEMENT

   SHEBOYGAN COUNTY

July 1, 2005

  TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK AND ADULT LIFE:

  LOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AMONG

  LEA'S AND TRANSITION SERVICE PROVIDERS SERVING RESIDENTS

  OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY , WISCONSIN

I.   PURPOSE

The purpose of this agreement is to support the transition of students with disabilities from secondary schools to functioning within the community to the maximum extent possible, through improved cooperative and collaborative efforts among relevant services providers including but not limited to: the local education agency, area office of Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Lakeshore Technical College , and Sheboygan County Health and Human Services . This group will function as a "Transition Council" working together to provide a continuum of services.

II.   TARGET POPULATION

The focus of this agreement is all Sheboygan County resident students, age 14 and older, with disabilities served by the Sheboygan County area public schools, who are appropriate for adult services, on-going support, post secondary education and/or training, and/or coordinated transition planning. Students who are likely to benefit are defined as those who, because of their disability:

A.   are not expected to be able to function successfully in the community without adult services, on-going support,and/or

B.   are unable to train for, secure, and/or maintain employment without on-going support.

C.   are needing assistance to gain post-secondary education or training

III.   GOALS

To achieve the stated purpose, the cooperating agencies will work together to accomplish the following goals:

A.   Provide the opportunity for all participating students to exit high school directly into employment or ready to enter post-secondary training programs.

B.   Implement practices in high school and community programs that prepare students for employment, recreation, and leisure activities, as well as develop personal management skills that allow for the greatest level of independence in social, residential, and employment settings.

C.   Ensure that students with disabilities and their parents/guardians are actively involved in planning their educational experience and future goals after high school, and developing self-advocacy skills.

D.   Expand employment opportunities for students with disabilities through placement and/or supported employment programs and coordination with the business community.

E.   Coordinate interagency activities in order to provide an overlap of services during the student's last year of formal schooling to assure a seamless transition to post-secondary life.

IV.   RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

To establish and maintain understandings needed to achieve the purpose of this cooperative effort, the involved agencies agree to:

A.   Designate at least one individual to act as agency representative on the IEP team. The IEP team will ensure recommendations for post-secondary placement options are based on a joint decision making process.

B.   Disseminate a copy of this agreement as well as other pertinent information to all relevant agency personnel.

C.   Strive to provide a minimum of 14 days notice to all potential transition team participants.

D.   Participate in activities designed to increase student/parent/guardian awareness of rights, legislation, regulations, interagency agreements and services.

E.   Advocate increased opportunities for employment through education and adult service delivery systems.

 F.   Participate in any regional project to develop a School to Work and Adult Life Transition Manual that designates the roles and responsibilities of each cooperating agency in the referral and transition process and timelines for action and follow-up.

G.   Participate in the regional development of criteria and methods to monitor transition services and evaluate the effectiveness of this agreement toward accomplishing the stated goals.

H.   Enable staff members of cooperating agencies and students/parents/guardians to participate in transition training activities and in-services.

I.   Preserve the confidentiality rights of students/consumers.

J.   Exchange student, policy and procedural, information with transition team members as needed, and with proper authorization gotten by the school (LEA) by releases of information for IEP team members

K.   Meet at least annually or as needed as determined by the transition team, to review the transition process and future program needs.

L.   Participate in the coordination of job development activities to ensure consistent communication with the business community and avoid duplication of effort.

M.   Share information regarding assessment procedures, eligibility criteria, and factors affecting clients' receipt of services.

N.   Annually participate in a Transition orientation available to each local education district.

O.   Signing of this agreement does not obligate any agency to additional financial commitment.

V.   THE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES

The local educational agencies will play the lead role in the development and maintenance of the cooperative working relationship among special education, vocational education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation , Sheboygan County Health and Human Services and other adult agencies. In addition, the LEA will:

A.   Assume primary responsibility for the development, implementation of educational and vocational programs that are consistent with least restrictive environment principles. These programs will be suited to student needs, interests, and abilities, and will:

1.   Develop vocational skills,

2.   Develop independent living skills,

3.   Maintain data on student work experiences and independent living skills,

4.   Increase the occurrence of students exiting school, into paid, integrated, community employment.

B.   Initiate at age 14 if appropriate and update annually, student specific transition plans through the IEP with input from students/parents/guardians.

C.   With proper release from parent/guardian, the school districts will annually on or before August 15 provide notification to Sheboygan County Health and Human Services of students who have reached the age of 16 and who, when they are 21 years old, may require services from the Department.

D.   Make available recent diagnostic/work experience/vocational evaluation information to be used in determining eligibility for services and in vocational planning.

E.   Strive to chair IEP conferences and invite with a minimum of a 14-day notice, parent/family/guardians, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation counselor, Sheboygan County Health and Human Services staff, or other agencies as appropriate. The purpose of this IEP conference will be to discuss individual student needs and determine how identified goals can be met through adult services.

F.   Co-sponsor with appropriate agencies the annual informational meeting for all parent/guardians/students to overview community based programs, transition planning and adult service agencies. In addition staff should be encouraged to attend this meeting.

 VI.   DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

The local Division of Vocational Rehabilitation counselor will:

A.   Provide agencies clearly involved with IEP, defined information regarding office of Division of Vocational Rehabilitation policies and procedures as they relate to eligibility, order of selection, competitive employment including supported employment, and other services that may be designed through that office.

B.   During the second semester of the year prior to the student's last year in school, attend, as appropriate, IEP meetings for students in special education programs to identify/anticipate or provide service needs. Special circumstances may be an exception to this for earlier referral.

C.   In accordance with DVR timelines, contact any student/parent/guardian who has requested services to schedule an appointment to discuss formal DVR application and initiate remaining necessary diagnostic and evaluation services to determine eligibility.

D.   Develop an Individual Plan for Employment (IPE) prior to school exit with eligible clients indicated in Article C above who have identified career objectives and provide to them (within current funding availability) services as identified to ensure, to the extent possible, vocational success.

E.   Include work experience documentation provided by the school program for assessment and placement purposes.

F.   In a timely manner, notify relevant transition team members of student eligibility determination and appeals process. Inform, if possible, school staff of student/family appointments required for DVR application.

G.   Provide transition services for exiting high school aged students as deemed appropriate and necessary by the IEP and as identified in the IPE.

VII.   SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Sheboygan County Health and Human Services will:

A.   Provide Transition team agencies and parents/guardians/students with information on current services, waiting lists for specific services, and information pertinent to successful planning for integrated adult life.

B.   Attend IEP meetings or provide input to the IEP committee at least two years prior to the student's anticipated school exit, for those students who are expected to require long term support, services. Along with the LEA they will encourage and assist students and families to visit community resources. .

C.   Assist students and families in planning for future financial, residential and community integration needs, along with the LEA.

D.   Participate in transition planning at the IEP meeting for students in residential programs, to ensure access to appropriate services.

E.   Review and respond to referrals received from the LEA's pursuant to §115.85 (4).

F.   Assist in accessing funding resources necessary for students to receive ongoing support services. (MA, SSI, SSDI, and any other available funding).

G.   Share responsibility with local education agency for placement, training, and follow-along to secure and maintain paid employment consistent with individual plans. (IEP, IPE, ISP, Work Employment/Training Plan).

 VIII. LAKESHORE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

   Lakeshore Technical College Special Needs Support Program will:

 IX.   EXECUTION AND MODIFICATION OF THIS AGREEMENT

This agreement is effective starting July 1, 2005 and shall remain in effect until modified or terminated as stated below:

A.   An individual party may request revision of this agreement at any time by submitting a written request to other team members with the request being at least 30 days prior to the desired meeting for consideration. The meeting shall be arranged and coordinated by the party requesting the revision.

B.   Agency representatives will review proposed revisions at planning meetings and approve or disapprove them based on simply majority rule. Agency representatives will review this agreement at least annually.

C.   This notice will automatically renew as of July 1, 2006, unless a signatory gives notice 60 days prior to that date.

TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO WORK AND ADULT LIFE:

LOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT AMONG

  LEA'S SERVING RESIDENT OF

   SHEBOYGAN COUNTY , WISCONSIN

  SIGNATURE PAGE

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Cedar Grove-Belgium School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Howards Grove School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Kiel Area School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Kohler School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Oostburg School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Plymouth School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Random Lake School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Sheboygan Area School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY (Please type):

Sheboygan Falls School District     Phone: ________________

Address:___________________________________

___________________________________

Name of District Administrator: _______________________________

Signature: _________________________ Date: _________________

LOCAL OFFICE-DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Address:________________________________________________________

Phone:_________________________________

Name of Director:_______________________________________________

Signature:_____________________________   Date:___________________

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES

Address:________________________________________________________

Phone:_________________________________

Name of Director:_______________________________________________

Signature:_____________________________   Date:___________________

LAKESHORE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Address:________________________________________________________

Phone:_________________________________

Name of Director:_______________________________________________

Signature:_____________________________   Date:___________________

DATE OF ANNUAL REVIEW: July 1, 2008