Idaho Pathways to Partnerships

In 2024, the Idaho Department of Education received a 5-year grant from the Rehabilitation Services Agency Disability Innovation Fund to develop the Idaho Pathways to Partnerships Innovative Model Demonstration Project (IPP). The project will work to build statewide and local interagency teams and resources. This will ensure that students with disabilities aged 10-24 have increased access to education, vocational rehabilitation, and community resources with an overall goal of achieving competitive integrated employment.

Outcomes

  • Transition planning and services are provided through coordinated interagency model.
  • Agencies and communities have the knowledge and skills to coordinate and deliver effective transition planning and services.
  • Children, students, and youth with disabilities and their families create and lead their transition to adult life.
  • Families and children, students and youth with disabilities have the knowledge and skills to access and participate in effective transition planning and services.
  • Children, students and youth with disabilities achieve community engagement and competitive integrated employment.
  • Children, students, and youth with disabilities have increased access to career exploration, work readiness, career technical education, pre-employment transition services, and competitive integrated employment.

Our Partners

Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: (IDVR) is a state-federal program dedicated to assisting individuals with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, maintaining, advancing in, and regaining employment. IDVR provides pre-employment transition services to support students ages 14-21 by working closely with the schools throughout the state. Students and youth, in or out of school, may also be eligible to receive a range of services to support the transition from secondary education to their long-term employment goals. These services could include vocational counseling and guidance, job-related services, medical treatment services to address the disability, rehabilitation technology, and training related services.

Idaho Parents Unlimited: (IPUL) helps families of children and youth with disabilities by providing reliable information, training, and support related to special education, health information, and arts integrated education for children and youth. They empower parents to make informed decisions and advocate for their children, and they empower youth with disabilities to advocate for themselves. IPUL connects families with service providers to find solutions that benefit everyone. They also work to bring about changes that ensure fair access to services and opportunities. Their goal is to create inclusive and accessible communities for all, and they stress the importance of families being involved in decision-making at every level. IPUL makes sure their services are available to all families, regardless of language, disability, or cultural background. IPUL is Idaho's Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center, a role that exists in every state as required by the IDEA law, under part D.

Idaho Centers for Independent Living: (CILs) provide essential services to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently. They offer resources such as peer support, advocacy, and skills training to enhance self-sufficiency and community integration. The centers operate under the principles of consumer control, self-help, and equal access. They collaborate with public agencies and private organizations to improve the quality of life for Idahoans with disabilities. Overall, the CILs strive to break down systemic barriers and promote inclusion and integration for people with disabilities throughout Idaho. There are three regional Centers for Independent Living in Idaho who are supporting the IPP Grant:

  • LINC: Empowering people with disabilities to achieve our desired level of independence.
  • LIFE: Our mission at Life, is to empower people with disabilities to manage their own lives, make their own choices, and give them the information and knowledge to assist them to live with independence.
  • DAC: Disability Action Center (DAC) NW is building community, achieving equity, fostering independence or chosen interdependence in an accessible world.