VRS_Pre-ETS Community of Practice Expansion

Dear VRS Community Partners and colleagues,

I have an exciting update to share with you today. The Pre-ETS Community of Practice (CoP) is expanding across the state of Minnesota in October of 2023.

Pre-ETS Communities of Practice bring community partners from across the state together with VR staff who coordinate and provide Pre-ETS services. Together they exchange information, discuss best practices, share strategies, increase understanding of services, encourage communication, enhance collaboration, and elevate services for students throughout Minnesota. 

The metro area started a Pre-ETS Community of Practice in 2021. They meet on the third Thursday of the month from 9:00a.m. - 10:30a.m.

Here are our October 2023 dates, times, and links:

Northern CoP will meet on Tuesday, October 17^th from 8:30a.m. - 10:00a.m.

• Pre-register here: https://forms.gle/EZx6Zdxsq8A5NeGu6
• Zoom link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1610348131?pwd=WE9yV3pyb250T21JV2wzcU8rbTREZz09

Metro CoP will meet on Thursday, October 19^th from 9:00a.m. - 10:30a.m.

• No pre-registration required.
• Zoom link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1600685090?pwd=a0xEejBIcmxqZnR4WmtwOTJHWS90UT09

Southern CoP will meet on Tuesday, October 24^th from 9:00a.m. - 10:30a.m.

• Pre-register here: https://forms.gle/WQ6TuCtHZSvUyU9y5
• Zoom link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619734942?pwd=OXFTQXp3Tld3bkpUTFM4MkR3RFpnUT09

If you would like the meeting agenda prior to the meeting, email Sara at Sara.Sundeen@state.mn.us and let her know which region (North, Metro, or South) you would like.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me or a VRS Community Partnerships Program Specialist.

• Janeen Oien: Oien@state.mn.us
• Jess Outhwaite: Outhwaite@state.mn.us
• Anne Paulson: Paulson@state.mn.us
• Sara Sundeen: Sundeen@state.mn.us

To find out which Community Partnerships Program Specialist is the dedicated liaison for a particular Community Partner, go to: https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/disabilities/partners/listing.

Sincerely,

Lori Thorpe
VRS Director of Contracts and Partnerships
651-274-8880
Lori.Thorpe@state.mn.us

What is the DEED-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Community Partner and Stakeholder listserv?

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Division of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) comprises the public Vocational Rehabilitation program, the Minnesota Extended Employment program, Independent Living services, Individual Placement and Supports grants, and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing grants.

The DEED-VRS Community Partner and Stakeholder listserv is the communication platform for current VRS Community Partners, potential VRS Community Partners, and other interested stakeholders in Minnesota’s disability employment services system. We encourage you to subscribe if you are an interested stakeholder in Minnesota’s disability employment services system.

• Learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation Services Community Partners
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