Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) is required to spend a minimum of 15% of their federal funding on Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), and since 2017 they have been building programming to meet that requirement. In the fiscal year that recently ended on September 30, the spending was at 27%. Now that VRS has met and exceeded the 15% baseline requirement, they are putting the following parameters in place around Pre-ETS spending: 

• End funding toward work experiences that take place during school hours 

• Prioritize paid competitive integrated employment (CIE) work experience for students 

Note that VRS can still provide any other Pre-Employment Transition Services during the school day.

In October there will be an E1MN survey that will go out to schools and VRS staff to understand how state agencies can help expand and enhance school work-based learning programs.

Read the full announcement here: Adjustments in supporting student work experiences (govdelivery.com) 

E1MN has created the Youth in Transition classroom curriculum for educators to use with students in the classroom to help support the learning expectations of Minnesota's Youth in Transition Framework. These lesson plans give educators a guide to help students see and plan for what life after high school might look like.  

Through the lessons students can start envisioning for themselves:  

• what they want and how they can live their best life, 

• what living in(ter)dependently could look like for them, 

• what they want for meaningful employment, and 

• what postsecondary education or training program they might want to do. 

Each 20-25 minute lesson plan uses videos, discussion questions, real-life stories, tools, and activities to create an interactive and engaging learning experience for students. 

Join MN APSE’s November Lunch & Learn where DHS and VRS staff will discuss the Find to Keep transition. This is a great opportunity for professional development at no cost to you or your staff. Managers – send your staff and subject matter experts will provide the training!  

When: October 17, 2024, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm Central 

Registration: APSE Lunch and Learn registration  

FAA Office of Aviation Safety Accessibility Forum 

Do you support high school or college students with disabilities? Pass on this opportunity! This upcoming virtual event is to discuss and explore FAA internships and career opportunities for people with disabilities. Topics covered: FAA goals to hire people with disabilities; how to obtain a Schedule A to apply for jobs; reasonable accommodations; and internships and other accessibility opportunities for high school and college students.  

When: October 24, 2024, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm Central

Registration: FAA Office of Aviation Safety Accessibility Forum registration