Guideposts for Success:
Innovative Strategies for
Serving Youth
Curtis Richards
Director of the Center for Workforce
Development at The Institute for
Educational Leadership (IEL)
Laura Spears
Transition Specialist - South Carolina
Vocational Rehabilitation Department
January 22, 2013
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The Guideposts for Success:
A Holistic Transition
Framework
http://www.ncwd-youth.info
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
3
Who are We?
• Curtis Richards
• Institute for Educational Leadership
• U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of
Disability Employment Policy
• National Collaborative on Workforce and
Disability for Youth
 12th Year
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
4
Institute for Educational
Leadership
• Builds the capacity of individuals in education and
related fields to work together across policies,
programs, and sectors in support of better results for
all children and youth, from pre-kindergarten through
post-secondary education and work.
• Three Centers:
 Coalition for Community Schools
 Leadership Programs (Education Policy Fellowship
Program)
 Center for Workforce Development
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
DOL’s Office of Disability
Employment Policy
• Develops and influences the use of evidence•
•
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based disability employment policies and
practices
Builds collaborative partnerships
Delivers authoritative and credible data on
employment of people with disabilities
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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National Collaborative on Workforce
and Disability for Youth
• Strives to ensure that youth with disabilities
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are provided full access to high quality
services in integrated settings in order to
maximize their opportunities for employment
and independent living. www.ncwd-youth.info
3 levels: system (policy), organizational, and
front line (youth service professionals)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Our Partners
• Boston University
• University of Minnesota, Institute on
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Community Integration
TransCen
PACER Center
National Association of Workforce
Development Professionals
Communication Works
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Definitions: Transition
The period of time when adolescents are
moving into adulthood and is often concerned
with planning for postsecondary education or
careers. In the workforce environment, it
usually encompasses ages 14 to 25.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Definitions: Workforce
Development System
Organizations at the national, state, and local
levels that have direct responsibility for
planning, allocating resources, providing
administrative oversight, and operating
programs to assist individuals and employers
in obtaining education, training, job
placement, and job recruitment (special focus
on those involved in preparing youth for
work).
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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Why Does It Matter?
• Transition is a Tough Time (but fun too!)
• Lot of Good Activities
• but no real System
• Youth service professionals are the people
• Work experience during high school (paid
and unpaid) helps youth with disability get
higher paying jobs after graduation
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
11
Why Focus on This
Population?
• Three times as likely to drop out of high school
• Half as likely to attend or finish college (Those who do
finish are more likely to have taken a less rigorous
course load)
• More likely to be unemployed or underemployed
• Three times as likely to live in poverty as adults
• Four times as likely to be adjudicated
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
12
Transition and The Work Force
• Youth who drop out of school are
 72% more likely to be unemployed
 Earn 27% less than high school graduates (U.S.
Department of Labor., 2003)
• Youth without a high school diploma, are three times
more likely to live in poverty (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
2001)
• Every student dropout costs the government over
$200,000 in public spending (Gonzales et al., 2002)
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
13
The Guideposts for Success
• An extensive literature review of research,
demonstration projects and effective practices
covering a wide range of programs and services--including lessons from youth development, quality
education, and workforce development programs--has identified core commonalities across the
disciplines, programs and institutional settings.
• The review also points out that no one institution or
organization can provide the full range of services;
thus, highlighting the interdependence of agencies
that requires communities, states, the federal
government and multiple organizations at all levels
to collaborate with one another in order to help
assure quality transitions for all youth.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
14
Grounding Principles
The applicable literature suggests that all
youth need:
• Access to high quality standards-based education
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regardless of the setting;
Information about career options and exposure to the
world of work; including structured internships;
Opportunities to develop social, civic, and leadership
skills;
Strong connections to caring adults;
Access to safe places to interact with their peers; and,
Support services and specific accommodations to allow
them to become independent adults.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
15
The Guideposts for Success
The five Guideposts are the following:
• School-based Preparatory Experiences
• Career Preparation and Work-Based
Learning Experiences
• Youth Development and Leadership
• Connecting Activities
• Family Involvement and Supports
(Always divided to two levels)
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
16
School-Based Preparatory
Experiences
All Youth Need:
• academic programs that are based on clear state
standards;
• career and technical education programs that are based on
professional and industry standards;
• curricular and program options based on universal design
of school, work and community-based learning
experiences;
• learning environments that are small and safe, including
extra supports such as tutoring, as necessary;
• supports from and by highly qualified staff;
• access to an assessment system that includes multiple
measures and,
• graduation standards that include options.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
17
School-Based Preparatory
Experiences
In addition, youth with disabilities need to:
• use their individual transition plans to drive their personal
instruction, and strategies to continue the transition
process post-schooling;
• access specific and individual learning accommodations
while they are in school;
• develop knowledge of reasonable accommodations that
they can request and control in educational settings,
including assessment accommodations; and
• be supported by highly qualified transitional support staff
that may or may not be school staff.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
18
Career Preparation &
Work-Based Learning
All youth need information on career options,
including:
• Career assessments to help identify students’ school
and post-school preferences and interests;
• Structured exposure to post-secondary education and
other life-long learning opportunities;
• Exposure to career opportunities that ultimately lead to a
living wage, including information about educational
requirements, entry requirements and income potential;
and,
• Training designed to improve job-seeking skills and
work-place basic skills (sometimes called soft skills).
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
19
Career Preparation &
Work-Based Learning
To identify and attain career goals, all youth need
• Opportunities to engage in a range of work-based
exploration activities such as site visits and job
shadowing; Access supports and accommodations for
work and community living; and
• Multiple on-the-job training experiences, including
community service (paid or unpaid) that is specifically
linked to the content of a program of study and school
credit
• Opportunities to learn and practice their work skills (“soft
skills”); and,
• Opportunities to learn first-hand about specific
occupational skills related to a career pathway.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
20
Career Preparation &
Work-Based Learning
Youth with Disabilities Need to:
• Understand the relationships between appropriate
financial and benefits planning and career choices;
• Access supports and accommodations for work and
community living; and
• Learn to communicate their support and accommodation
needs to prospective employers and service providers.
• Learn to request, find, and secure appropriate supports
and reasonable accommodations at work, at home, and
in the community.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
21
Youth
Development/Leadership
All Youth Need:
• Mentoring activities designed to establish strong
relationships with adults through formal and informal
settings;
• Peer-to-peer mentoring opportunities;
• Exposure to role models through a variety of means;
• Training in skills such as self-advocacy and conflict
resolution
• Exposure to personal leadership and youth development
activities, including community service; and,
• Opportunities that allow youth to exercise leadership.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
22
Youth
Development/Leadership
Youth with Disabilities Need to:
• Have mentors and role models who include
persons with and without disabilities; and,
• Understand disability history, culture, and
disability public policy issues as well as their
rights and responsibilities.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
23
Connecting Activities
All Youth Need:
• Mental and physical health services;
• Transportation;
• Housing;
• Tutoring;
• Post-program supports through structured arrangements
in post-secondary institutions and adult serving
agencies; and,
• Connections to other services and/or opportunities (e.g.
recreation)
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
24
Connecting Activities
Youth with Disabilities may also need:
• Acquisitions of appropriate assistive technologies;
• Community orientation and mobility training (e.g. accessible
transportation, bus routes, housing, health clinics);
• Exposure to post-program supports such as independent
living centers and other consumer-driven community-based
support service agencies;
• Personal assistance services, including attendants, readers,
interpreters, or other such services; and
• Benefits-planning counseling including information regarding
the myriad of benefits available and their interrelationships so
that they may maximize those benefits in transitioning from
public assistance to self-sufficiency.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
25
Family Involvement & Support
All youth need parents, families and other caring adults
who have:
• High expectations which build upon the young person’s
strengths, interests, and needs and fosters their ability to
achieve independence and self-sufficiency;
• Been involved in their lives and assisting them toward
adulthood;
• Access to information about employment, further
education and community resources;
• Taken an active role in transition planning with schools
and community partners;
• Access to medical, professional and peer support
networks.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
26
Family Involvement & Support
In addition, youth with disabilities need parents,
families and other caring adults who have:
• An understanding of their youth’s disability and how it
affects his or her education, employment and/or daily
living options;
• Knowledge of rights and responsibilities under various
disability-related legislation;
• Knowledge of and access to programs, services,
supports and accommodations available for young
people with disabilities; and,
• An understanding of how individualized planning tools
can assist youth in achieving transition goals and
objectives.
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
27
How to Use the Guideposts:
Relationships
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Networking—Resource Mapping
Coordinating—Blending
Cooperation—Braiding
Collaboration—Sharing
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
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How to Use the Guideposts:
Program Design (HS/HT)
• High School/High Tech
• National Program (Originally funded in: CO, DE, FL, MD,
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MI, OH, & OK)
Based on The Guideposts
Focuses on science, technology, engineering, & math
skills
Includes: exposure to STEM careers and other
technology-related professions, college & career
planning
Dropout rate: <.5% (12/2,840) vs. 28%
Post-secondary education: 72% vs. 19%
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
29
School-Based Preparatory
Experiences
Program Components:
• Programs based on standards (state & industry)
• Qualifications of Teachers & Transition Staff
• Assessments & Graduation Standards
• Universal Design for Learning
• Supporting Learning Environments that are Small and
•
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Safe and Include Extra Supports such as Tutoring
Individualized Transition Plans
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
30
Career Preparation & WorkBased Learning Experiences
Program Components:
• Career Assessment
• Structured Exposure to PostSec Educ & other Life-Long
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Learning Opportunities
Exposure to Career Opportunities
Developing Work-Readiness Skills
Industry Site Visits & Tours
Job Shadowing
Volunteer Work and Service-Learning
Internships
Entrepreneurship
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
31
Youth Development &
Leadership
Program Components:
• Putting Youth in Control of Their Destiny
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 Self-determination, informed choice, self-advocacy
Supportive Adults
 Mentors (group, peer, & e-), role models
Opportunities for Personal Growth
 Goal setting, conflict resolution
Leadership Opportunities
 Service learning, peer mentoring, leadership training
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
32
Connecting Activities
Program Components:
• Mental & Physical Health Services
• Transportation
• Academic Tutoring
• Financial Planning
• Connecting to continuing educ. & the workforce
• Connecting to other programs & resources
• Assistive Technology
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
33
Family Involvement &
Supports
Program Components:
• High Expectations
• Access to & Progress in the General Curriculum &
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•
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Understanding How Dis. Might Impact Educ,
Employment & Daily Living
Active Role in Transition Planning
Info on Programs, Services, Supports, Accommodations,
Rights, and Responsibilities
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
34
How to Use the Guideposts:
Evaluate Outcomes
Depends on funding source & goals
• What is focus of funder? (education, juvenile justice,
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employment, mentoring, foster care)
What are your goals? (improve grades, increase
attendance, connect to post-secondary, increase career
awareness, decrease recidivism, decrease drop outs)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
35
Sample Performance
Measures
Inputs & Intermediate:
# of youth recruited, enrolled, participating
# of mentors, volunteers, tutors, employers recruited,
enrolled, participating
# of meetings, activities, projects, interviews held
# of transition, mentoring, employment, goal plans,
resumes completed
# of youth goals met (completed application, made
appointment, visited work site, bank acct)
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
36
Sample Performance
Measures
Outputs & Long term outcomes:
• Graduation/GED
• Program completion
• Increase in academic grades/skills
• Youth awareness/interest in post-secondary
• Post-secondary enrollment
• Youth awareness of careers (pre/post test)
• Increase in employment readiness skills
• Employment
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
37
NCWD/Youth Resources
• National Collaborative on Workforce & Disability for
Youth www.ncwd-youth.info/
• The Guideposts http://www.ncwd-
youth.info/resources_&_Publications/guideposts/
• Professional Development: Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities http://www.ncwd-youth.info/ksa/index.html
• High School/High Tech Program Guide http://www.ncwdyouth.info/hsht/program-guide
• Office of Disability Employment Policy
http://www.dol.gov/odep/
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
38
Innovative Strategies
• Innovative Strategies in the Workforce System:
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies
• Career Awareness:
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practicebriefs/using-career-interest-inventories-to-inform-career-planning
• Work Experience:
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practicebriefs/engaging-youth-in-work-experiences
• Career Exploration:
http://www.ncwd-youth.info/innovative-strategies/practicebriefs/career-exploration-in-action
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TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
39
South Carolina Vocational
Rehabilitation Department
Guideposts for Success and
Transition Services
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
40
How Are We Using the
Guideposts?
• All new transition staff attend Transition 101
which is a basic introductory training to transition
services and are introduced to the Guideposts.
• We have linked our services to the Guidepost
categories to ensure students success. (Matrix)
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
41
Case Note Documentation
Case notes for transition students will indicate
the service provided and which guidepost
it relates to.
1. Entry subject indicates which VR service is
provided
2. The VR transition program is indicated, could
be HS/HT for High School High Tech or
another acronym depending on the program /
the guidepost category
3. Case Note
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
42
Case Note Example
Counseling and Guidance
TRN/Preparatory Experience
“I met with Linda today and we viewed a video
showing what a dental hygienist does. She says
she is very interested in this as a career to
explore. She agrees to research what the local
technical college offers with regards to a dental
hygienist program. We will discuss her findings
during the next visit.”
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
43
Activities
Activities are completed with students to prepare them
for work/post secondary training. Here is an
example of an activity tracking sheet.
Location: Anderson Area Office
Activity Description
Students in Attendance
Related Guidepost
Tour of BMW plant
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Work Experiences
Community Service Roundtable:
Seven local agencies provided
information to students regarding
available services
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Connecting service
July
August
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
44
Activities (cont.)
• We use a variety of activities from a variety of
•
curricula such as “Skills to Pay Bills” and
“Cultivating True Livelihood”.
Activities are documented in Case Notes.
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2013
45
Comments & Questions
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
2013
46
Thank You
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
2013
47
Contact Information
Curtis Richards, Director of the Center for
Workforce Development
The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL)
Laura Spears, Transition Specialist
South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation
Department
803-896-6574
Lspears@scvrd.state.sc.us
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
2013
48
Education Credits
CRCC Credit - (2.0 - pending)
Pending approval by Commission on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification (CRCC)
• By March 11, 2013, participants must score 80% or
better on a online Post Test and submit an online
CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal.
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
2013
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Southeast TACE Region IV
Toll-free: (866) 518-7750 [voice/tty]
Fax: (404) 541-9002
Web: TACEsoutheast.org
My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal
Email: tacesoutheast@law.syr.edu
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
2013
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Disclaimer
This presentation was developed by the
Southeast TACE Center: Region IV ©2013 with funds
from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation
Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of
Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects
(TACE) – Grant #H264A080021. However, the contents
of this presentation do not necessarily represent the
policy of the RSA and you should not assume
endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR
75.620 (b)].
TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute.
Funded by RSA Grant # H264A080021. © 2012
2013