Transition Services
Transition services help students with disabilities move from school to post-high school employment, education, specialized training, and independence. Schools are primarily responsible for providing transition services while a student is still in the secondary school system. However, when a student graduates or leaves school, he or she no longer receives school support or services. As an adult service agency provider, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) may be able to continue to provide the necessary support and services to make the transition into a job or training program successful. VR’s primary role is to communicate and collaborate with schools to minimize gaps and delays from school to post-school activities. Appropriate referrals to VR include: any student with a disability who receives special education services or who is enrolled in regular classes and who may need VR services to prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. Referrals do not automatically result in eligibility for services. Students' eligibility must be determined through an individualized assessment process before receiving VR services. At all stages throughout your VR program, you will be provided vocational information and guidance allowing you to make informed choices regarding your vocational plan. Some of the VR services that eligible students with disabilities may receive include:
- Assessment/vocational evaluation
- Transition Services at Community Rehabilitation Programs
- Career guidance and counseling
- On-the-Job Training (OJT)
- Assistance with finding a job
VR provides another transition service called the Cooperative Work-Experience Program (COOP). VR works in partnership with individual school districts in providing the program that gives students school credit(s) for participating in off-campus, paid work experiences.
To learn more about Transition Services, click here or contact:
Assistant Director of Transition Services
Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
3024 Dupont Circle
Jefferson City, MO 65109-0480
Phone: (573) 751-3251
Toll-free: 1-877-222-8963
TTY: (573) 751-0881
Fax: (573) 751-1441
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB)
To learn more about Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) and Transition Services,
call your local RSB office:
Toll-free: 1-800-592-6004
Through Relay Missouri:
TTY: 1-800-735-2966
Voice: 1-800-735-2460
http://www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/rsb/index.htm
Student / Family Transition Resources
To learn more about transition resources and training available to parents of children
with disabilities, contact:
Missouri Parents Act (MPACT)
Toll-free: 1-800-743-7634
http://www.ptimpact.com/
Student Rights
To learn more about a student’s legal rights in the area of transition services, contact:
Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services (MO P&A)
Toll-free: 1-800-392-8667
http://www.moadvocacy.org/
VR Transition Brochures
- Transition (.pdf)