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KSDE updates SEAC on Disability Innovation Fund transition network and Centers for Independent Living pilots
Summary
KSDE staff and partners described a five‑year Rehabilitation Services Administration demonstration grant to build transition infrastructure, fund local transition coordinators and establish Centers for Independent Living pilot sites across Kansas.
Dean Seitz, an assistant director on KSDE's special education and title services team, and Stacy Martin, KSDE's state coordinator for secondary transition services, briefed the committee on the Kansas Youth Transition Network funded by a Disability Innovation Fund demonstration grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
"I'm one of the assistant directors on the special education and title services team," Dean Seitz said as he introduced the update. Stacy Martin said, "I'm super excited to be part of this grant," and described her role coordinating webinars, local transition councils and statewide activities.
Nut graf: The five‑year federal demonstration grant funds a state‑level partnership among KSDE, vocational rehabilitation, Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and a local education agency. KSDE intends to build local transition councils, create a transition resource website, fund at least one full‑time statewide coordinator hosted at Pittsburg State University and pilot on‑the‑ground CIL school partnerships in multiple communities so local networks can scale supports for students moving from school to adult life.
Presenters said year 1 focused on planning and fiscal arrangements; the project is now in an initial pilot year. KSDE and partners purposely engaged multiple CILs rather than a single pilot, and six of eight CILs are participating initially. Pilot and potential pilot communities named in the presentation included Kansas City (Kansas), Salina, Goodland, Dodge City, Phillipsburg, Manhattan, Altamont, Cherryvale, with Beloit and Concordia considered for the following year.
Speakers emphasized cross‑agency coordination—education, vocational rehabilitation and CILs—and the grant's focus on sustainability: building resources, local capacity and a public website to centralize transition resources and training. Dean Seitz said a full statewide update might be appropriate at a later SEAC meeting once pilot sites have more operational data; the committee suggested another update in April or the summer.
Ending: KSDE said the grant funds a multi‑partner effort to build local transition capacity and a statewide resource platform; staff will return with more substantive pilot outcomes as the work advances.
