~~This is a presentation on the current state of Transition in the Texas Education Agency. Topics include:
Senate Bill 748 (85th Texas Legislature)
Current Statutes Amended
Responsibilities
What is “Appropriate?”
Supported Decision-Making
TEA Model Form and Resources
Takeaways for LEAs
“The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to succeed in the labor market, and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.”
~~“Program Mission
Vocational Rehabilitation is committed to assisting Veterans with psychiatric or physical disabilities reach their highest level of vocational productivity.
Program Goals
• Provide structured vocational evaluations
• Improve pre-vocational skills including:
– Adhering to a work schedule
– Working cooperatively with others
– Accepting supervision and doing quality work
• Reduce psychiatric and physical symptoms
• Increase relapse prevention skills
• Improve self-esteem and enhance quality of life
• Return Veterans to competitive employment ”
“AN ACT relating to wage requirements for community rehabilitation programs participating in the purchasing from people with disabilities program…
Sec.122.0075. MINIMUM WAGE PLAN.
(a) This section applies to a community rehabilitation program that:
(1) is participating in the program administered under this chapter; and
(2) pays workers with disabilities employed by the program wages that are less than the federal minimum wage under Section 6, Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Section 206)”
~~“This is a brief description of intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services and supports provided by Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). Some services and supports have interest lists because they do not have immediate openings available. Persons who want particular services or supports should add their names to the appropriate interest list as soon as possible. Persons who are now receiving particular services or supports may add their names to the interest list for other services and supports. For more information about services and supports, including a list of providers in your area, please contact your local IDD authority (LIDDA). You can find your LIDDA’s contact information at https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/contact/search.cfm .”
~~“Supported employment helps people 17 and older with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injury find jobs that pay competitive wages. These jobs are all in integrated settings in the community, meaning you will work with other people who don’t necessarily have disabilities. Unlike traditional vocational rehabilitation, which provides job readiness and other training, this program individualizes its services to align with your interests and preferences."
~~“The VR Supported Employment Outcome-Based System uses the "Place, Then Train" model of employment placement to place customers in a job and then train them in order to help them find and keep long-term competitive integrated employment.
By being matched to a job first and then receiving ongoing supports and training, the customer develops job-readiness skills while on the job. An employer who hires a VR customer is expected to provide the same training to the VR customer as the employer would provide to other new employees, with help and support from the VR counselor and the SE specialist.
Customized employment practices develop the best job match for the customer, using flexible strategies to meet the individual's needs and the employer's unmet business needs. These practices address the unique skills, interests, abilities, capabilities, and support needs of an individual with a most significant disability. Many times, jobs must be created and/or designed with flexible strategies to allow for a suitable job match.”
~~“Providing Pre-Employment Transition Services
Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies are required to reserve and expend a minimum of 15 percent of their federal funding solely for pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS).
Pre-ETS activities are provided to individuals who:
• meet the definition of a student with a disability; and are eligible or potentially eligible for VR services”
~~The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced $4.8 million in funding through the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Pilot (VHRMP) Program to assist disabled veterans with modifying or rehabilitating their homes, making them more accessible.
Through the VHRMP program, grantees will make necessary physical modifications to address the adaptive housing needs of eligible veterans, including wheelchair ramps, widening exterior and interior doors, reconfiguring and reequipping bathrooms, or adding a bedroom or bathroom for the veteran’s caregiver.
“Our veterans gave everything in service to our country so it’s now our duty to ensure they have a safe and decent place to call home,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “The grants awarded today ensure veterans living with disabilities can make the necessary adaptive modifications to their homes, allowing them to lead self-sufficient lives.”
“Our biggest hope for Veterans is that they fully participate in the country they fought to defend once they return from service,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “These grants further that goal by ensuring Veterans with service-related disabilities don’t just get housing, but live in a home that meets their specific needs. We’re proud to work with our nonprofit partners once again this year to help our Veterans.”
The purpose of this pilot program is to assist our nation’s low-income veterans living with disabilities who need adaptive housing to help them regain or maintain their independence. By partnering with the VA, HUD is addressing these challenges by awarding competitive grants to organizations that primarily serve veterans and low-income people.
~~“MHP Salud was awarded a statewide 2019 CMS Navigator Cooperative Agreement serving The uninsured, low-income individuals with limited English proficiency from the “left behind” communities; and to the broader uninsured and currently insured population, including seasonal, self-employed individuals, and communities that may have been underserved during previous open enrollment periods, such as extremely rural populations. Sub-awardee/Subrecipient Contracted Organizations are. ARISE; LUPE; South Texas Health Systems; Edinburg Regional Medical Center; McAllen Medical Center; Rio Grande State Center; Nuestra Clinica del Valle; Mid-Valley Half-Way House; and Colonia Unidas. They will partner with Community Resource Centers; Local Community Organizations; Public libraries; Federally-qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), clinics, and local hospital systems. For more information, please contact the designated project lead.
Contact: Jennifer Bishop
Phone: (956) 968-3600 Ext. 2022
Email: jbishop@mhpsalud.org ”