WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT LINKAGES?
The Central Illinois
Transition Planning Committee recommends two key agencies as critical
components of the transition process. These agencies are the Illinois
Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS)
and the Service Access Agencies-Central
Illinois Service Access (CISA) and Western Illinois Service Coordination (WISC).
The Division of
Rehabilitation Services is a component of the Illinois Department of Human
Services. They provide services such as vocational counseling and guidance,
information and referral, physical restoration, training/retraining and job
placement assistance. The DRS Home Services program provides services
focused at preventing institutionalization and promoting independence.
Students with disabilities can be referred for either the Secondary
Transitional Experience Program (STEP) or transition services while in high
school. These services may continue after graduation.
Central Illinois Service
Access (CISA) and Western Illinois Service Coordination (WISC) are the
“umbrella” agencies for community services. CISA serves Peoria, Tazewell,
and Woodford counties while WISC serves Fulton County. They link individuals
with disabilities to vocational, residential, transportation, recreation,
self-advocacy and other services. CISA and WISC are the agencies that
qualify individuals with disabilities for available funding resources
necessary to access adult services. The Central Illinois Transition Planning
Committee recommends students and parents become involved in the
determination of eligibility with CISA or WISC at an early stage in the
transition process. This promotes enhanced direction in the post-student
planning process. |
