15.8 IEP/IPE Planning and Coordination

At the request of and in cooperation with education staff, DVR staff shall participate in the planning process that is designed to facilitate the development and completion of the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The DVR Counselor shall review and consider a student’s IEP during the development of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). Services reflected on the IEP may or may not need to be included on the IPE, depending upon the employment goal and individual situation of each student but can serve as a vital starting point when providing pre-employment transition services. If a student is still enrolled in the school system and an IPE is developed and approved, there will be two active plans for the individual, each reflecting coordinated goals and a range of services for a period of time. Collaborating with education staff to align the IPE and IEP can positively contribute to the student gaining basic workplace skills, knowledge of specific occupational skills, and an understanding of different industries in order to make informed career choices.

The IPE shall be developed and approved by the DVR Counselor as early as possible during the transition process but no later than the point at which each eligible student leaves the school setting. This applies even when DVR is operating under an Order of Selection for those students who can be served.