89 Ill. Adm. Code 590.750
Secondary Transitional Experience Program (STEP)
Section 590
Section 590.750 Secondary
Transitional Experience Program (STEP)
a) The
Secondary Transitional Experience Program (STEP) is a program operated by DHS-DRS
in cooperation with a local education agency (LEA) through a third party
cooperative agreement.
b) The primary focus of STEP is the provision of required Pre-employment
Transition Services to students with disabilities identified by the LEA and
certified as eligible by DRS.
c) Work-based Learning Experiences are a required Pre-employment
Transition Service that is arranged by the LEA and approved by a DRS
counselor. The LEA reports monthly to the DRS counselor on the type and
duration of each work experience.
d) Work-based
Learning Experiences shall take place in integrated settings to the greatest
extent possible.
e) Work-based Learning Experiences shall include employer-paid
work in the community whenever possible based on the needs of the student.
f) STEP services are provided to students to enhance the
educational and transitional programming provided by the LEA and do not replace
programming that the LEA is required to provide under IDEA.