VRS: Pre-Employment Transition Services
DEED-VRS invites our Community Partners to consider providing Pre-Employment Services to students with disabilities. DEED-VRS will be significantly increasing the referrals for Pre-ETS services to Community Partners. Those services fall into the following five required activities:
- Job Exploration Counseling
- Work-Based Learning Experiences
- Post-Secondary Education Counseling
- Workplace Readiness Training
- Instruction in Self Advocacy
To learn more about offering Pre-ETS services, please see the guidebook for Community Partners found here.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services would like Community Partners to consider offering a suite of services with definitions found in this list. When the list of services was first distributed on April 16, 2019, it omitted “Career Mentorship Experience.” The definitions can also be found on our website at: https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/disabilities/partners/resources/services-definitions.jsp
Please also note the changes in the definitions of “Work Experience-Services” and “Work Experience-Wages” from the 04.16.19 version. For “Work Experience-Services” we removed the weekly communication requirement and added that the statewide rate for this service will be $75 per hour. For work experiences where the employer pays the individual’s wages, counselors may authorize up to 20 hours for this service. For work experiences where the provider pays the individual’s wages, counselors may authorize up to 5 hours for this service. Additional hours need RAM consultation. For “Work Experience-Wages” we noted that the statewide rate for this service will be the employee’s wage plus 25% for administrative costs. We’ve also removed the specific reference to internships within these definitions to simplify the definitions. Internships are still an allowable work experience.
When adding Pre-ETS services to your P/T contract, the contract amendment will include the terms and conditions listed in the contract attachment found here.
Pre-ETS Reports
When invoicing, reports will we be required just as they are for services you provide now. Those instructions can be found on our website at: https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/disabilities/partners/resources/ under the “Forms and Reports” tab.
One thing that is different with Pre-ETS is that you, as our community partners, are not allowed to include an evaluation of the student in your report for work-based learning experiences. You may report on what the employer and the student experienced. For work-based learning experiences, the DEED form “Pre-ETS Work-Based Learning Invoicing Report to VRS” must be used. That form can be found on our website at https://mn.gov/deed/assets/pre-ets-work-based-learning_tcm1045-384507.docx.
Amendment Request Instructions
- DEED-VRS will accept requests for amendments to P/T contracts now through Friday, May 31, 2019.
- Please refer to your current P/T contract in developing your amendment request. Contracts can be found online at gov/deed/job-seekers/disabilities/partners
- If you have questions as you develop your amendment, please contact Anne Paulson, DEED-VRS Rehabilitation Program Specialist at Anne.Paulson@state.mn.us, 651-259-7135.
- Complete Amendment Request Form per the instructions on the form. The form can be found online at https://mn.gov/deed/assets/pt-contract-amendment-request_tcm1045-362561.docx.
- Submit Amendment Request Form to Anne.Paulson@state.mn.us by 4:00 pm, Friday, May 31, 2019. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.