Technical Assistance Liaison, Vocational Rehabilitation Youth Technical Assistance Center

Kim Osmani is an Extension Associate with the Yang-Tan Institute serving in two capacities. She works with IEL’s Vocational Rehabilitation(VR) Youth Technical Assistance Center (Y-TAC) and also the Transition Services Professional Development Center (PDSC) with the New York State Education Department. She initially worked with Y-TAC for two years as a subject matter expert on transition while she was the statewide transition coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services. She now serves as a Y-TAC technical assistance (TA) liaison. In this role, she provides direct support for state VR agencies seeking assistance with improving service delivery to transition-aged youth under Title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. As a subject matter expert on VR, transition of youth and students with disabilities, and special education, she develops and implements training, resources, curriculum, and tools and provides TA in direct alignment with the needs of VR agencies. In turn, Kim uses evidence-based, research-based, and promising practices to aid in policy development and revision and to enhance the delivery of services to opportunity youth, including youth with disabilities.

Kim holds two master’s degrees—one in Special Education from the University of Florida and one in Educational Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Kim maintains K-12 teaching certification and principal certification in Oklahoma. She is working on completing her Ph.D. in Special Education with an emphasis on transition at the University of Oklahoma. Kim has won national awards and is highly regarded as an expert in transition within the VR networks. She has presented all over the United States and in Europe sharing promising practices, partnerships, and innovative programs for students and youth with disabilities. Kim also completed a juvenile justice certificate program on the Oklahoma team through Georgetown University.