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VIDBE - Q Volume 62 Issue 4
In 1998, NDE and NSVH put together a plan ning team of stakeholders to develop
a statewide plan. The planning team members were selected to represent parents,
consumers, teachers endorsed to teach the visually impaired, and special education
directors. In addition, they represented small, medium a nd large school districts and
educational service units, the Nebraska City community, and adult service agencies. An
appropriate geographic representation of the State of Nebraska was considered in the
selection of the planning team members. The planning t eam developed the state plan
for vision services in 1997 - 1998. The Nebraska State Board of Education approved the
original plan in December, 1998.
Historically, the staff at NSVH were employees of the State of
Nebraska/Department of Education. As the plan was in the final stages, the Nebraska
Department of Education made the decision to contract the newly defined school and
outreach programs to the E ducational
Service Unit 4. ESU4 would be in
charge of implementing the newly
approved state plan for vision services,
identify and hire the staff required to do
so.
In Nebraska, there are 17
educati onal service units (regional
cooperatives) throughout the state.
These service units provide a variety of programs and services to school districts in their
region. ESU4 provides professional development, technology, health services and
Figure 2. Nebraska state plan for vision
services.
