2009-2010 Budget Summary: Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID)
Program Office Description
The Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) promotes educational and vocational achievement for students with disabilities, ages 3 to 21. It administers special education programs and services in New York’s school system and provides support for families, educators and other staff. VESID’s vocational rehabilitation (VR) program provides specialized programs and services that assist youth and adults with disabilities in preparing for, finding and adjusting to employment. The Office also supports businesses that are interested in hiring and maintaining a skilled workforce. VESID administers 37 Independent Living Centers (ILCs) across the State and 16 Early Childhood Direction Centers. VESID also oversees statewide networks responsible for providing training and information to parents, educators, and others involved in educating preschool and school-aged students with disabilities.
Total 2008-2009 - $2.0 Billion
Program Office Goals
- Students receiving special education services will meet high educational standards.
- Students receiving special education services will be integrated with their non-disabled peers throughout their educational experience.
- Individuals with disabilities will participate successfully in postsecondary education (including colleges and universities, adult education, technical preparation and proprietary schools).
- Individuals with disabilities will be employed in integrated work settings.
- All services for which VESID has responsibility will be cost-effective.
- Our services and work environment will meet high standards and continuously improve.
Mission
To promote educational equity and excellence for students with disabilities while ensuring that they receive the rights and protections to which they are entitled; assure appropriate continuity between the child and adult services system; and provide the highest quality vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to all eligible persons as quickly as those services are required to enable them to work and to live independent, self-directed lives.
Key Results
Performance Measure – Participation rate for students with disabilities in State assessments
Baseline
- ELA/English Test – 96.8 percent of grades 3-8 and 92.7 percent of high school in school year 2006-2007
- Math Test – 96.9 percent of grades 3-8 and 94 percent of high school in school year 2006-2007
Target
- ELA/English Test – 95 percent of grades 3-8 and 95 percent of high school in school years 2005-2010
- Math Test – 95 percent of grades 3-8 and 95 percent of high school in school years 2005-2010
Performance Measure – Percentage of students with disabilities earning high school diplomas
Baseline
- 37.9 percent of the whole cohort of students with disabilities who entered grade 9 in 2001-2002 school year graduated with high school diplomas after 4 years
Target
- 52 percent of the whole cohort of students with disabilities who enter grade 9 in 2010-2011 will graduate with a high school diploma in 4 years
Performance Measure – Employment gains for individuals with disabilities served by VESID
Baseline
- 13,010 placements by VESID in 2007-2008, compared to 12,934 in the previous State Fiscal Year
Target
- Over 20,000 placements by VESID annually
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities - State Operations
Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities - Aid to Localities