Program Explanations: A Cooperative Effort between Special Education, Vocational Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Eye Care Services.

Overview & Synopsis

Explanations are provided about Maine's special education, vocational education, vocational rehabilitation, and eye care programs and services, to assist teachers and counselors to understand better the mission, eligibility requirements, and service resources each brings to the planning process for students with handicaps. The guidelines were developed to assist local personnel in designing their own improvement process through local policies and procedures. The first chapter outlines the benefits of collaboration among various services to prepare students for a successful and independent post-school life, and describes the voluntary, democratic nature of collaboration. Separate chapters then focus on Maine's Vocational Rehabilitation program, Division of Eye Care Education, Division of Special Education, and Secondary Vocational Education. For each service, the following aspects are described: mission, referral process, eligibility, programs and services, planning with the student, and closure. (JDD)