Communication with School Officials
Communication with referral sources and others directly
involved with the transition student is essential for
establishing positive working relationships, appropriate
referrals, and successful employment outcomes.
Best Practice: When a student with a disability is
referred to DVR from the school system, it is a good
practice to receive a signed copy of the school’s release
of information form with the school records. The STW
Counselor will notify School District liaisons of changes
in VR policy or procedure that may affect the transition
process.
At age 16, agencies that may be able to provide or
pay for the transition student’s needs after exiting
school are invited to attend the student’s IEP meeting.
At times, the STW Counselor or VR Technician may not
be able to attend IEP meetings when invited. When this
occurs, alternative methods of networking with the
referral source and the student may be employed. This
will ensure that students with disabilities are provided
with information about VR transition services and are
given an opportunity to apply at least two years before
the student exits school. Alternatives to physical
attendance include:
• Telephone contact
• Conference calls
• E-mail
• Completion of a written input form for school use
in documenting agency participation |
 Confidentiality,
Waiver of Confidentiality &
Mutual Consent to Exchange Information |
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| Obtaining
Signatures on VR Forms |
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School Follow-up
School follow-up is necessary for effective
IEP implementation. Schools usually designate a staff
person as a Transition IEP Coordinator. This person
is responsible for communicating the student’s transition
services needs to agency representatives who were unable
to attend.
The school must obtain agency commitments
to provide or pay for needed transition services or
reconvene the IEP team to determine alternate methods
for meeting the student’s needs. It is important for
the STW Counselor to respond to school staff on the
progress of mutual students, with appropriate parental,
legal guardian or student consent at age 18.
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