15.5 Outreach

DVR shall initiate outreach to students and youth with disabilities to identify those who are in need of transition services. This shall take place as early as possible during the transition planning process. School districts shall be provided with contact information for the local DVR office and staff.

DVR shall inform education staff, students, youth, and, as appropriate, families and authorized representatives regarding:

• A description of the purpose of the vocational rehabilitation program.

• Information regarding DVR eligibility requirements.

• Information regarding application procedures.

• Information about the scope of services that may be available to students and youth with disabilities.

DVR staff with transition responsibilities should be acquainted with the aspects of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that address transition activities.

IDEA mandates that local education agencies invite adult agency representatives, such as DVR Counselors, to mandated student-related meetings. These meetings are held for special education students at least annually. When the DVR staff is invited by a school district to attend a student meeting such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, the staff should consider how their involvement could be beneficial with regard to consultation, technical assistance, referral to DVR, or the planning and coordination of service provision.

There may be times when a DVR staff member is not able to attend scheduled student-related meetings. Options for involvement beyond the physical presence of DVR staff at the meeting could include the sharing of informational sheets and brochures, video conferencing, or other creative mechanisms developed at the local level.

In addition to student-related meetings, other opportunities to interact with educators, students, and families exist for DVR participation. These may include parent nights, education staff meetings, school-based agency events, career fairs, and others. Attendance at these events fosters and advances collaboration with education. Many communities within Colorado have a local youth council or interagency transition team. It is expected that DVR staff shall participate on these local teams.