Description:Education Support Services are provided to assist individuals with mental health or substance use disorders who want to start or return to school or formal training with a goal of achieving skills necessary to obtain employment. Education Support Services consist of special education and related services as defined in Sections (22) and (25) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) (20 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), to the extent to which they are not available under a program funded by IDEA or available for funding by the NYS Adult Career & Continuing Education Services Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) (The Vocational Rehabilitation component (ACCES-VR) encompasses many of the services that were previously part of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, or VESID).
Education Support Services may consist of general adult educational services such as applying for and attending community college, university or other college-level courses. Services may also include classes, vocational training, and tutoring to receive a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) diploma, as well as support to the participant to participate in an apprenticeship program.
Participants authorized for Education Support Services must relate to an employment goal or skill development documented in the service plan. Education Support Services must be specified in the service plan as necessary to enable the participant to integrate more fully into the community and to ensure the health, welfare and safety of the participant. Examples of these goals would include, but not be limited to: tutoring or formal classes to obtain a Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) diploma, vocational training, apprenticeship program or formal classes to improve skills or knowledge in a chosen career, community college, university or any college-level courses or classes.
Ongoing Supported Education: is conducted after a participant is successfully admitted to an educational program. Ongoing follow-along is support available for an indefinite period as needed by the participant to maintain their status as a registered student.