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January News for Our Partners

Partner Post Highlighting Collaboration and Shared Goals

Community Partner Spotlight - 2026

During our Spotlight Cafe's in 2026 we will meet once a month for only 30 minutes. The Spotlights are geared toward allowing several Community Partners to share about themselves, the services they offer, the customers they provide to, and perhaps a little about their success rate.

We encourage SSB staff to attend these sessions and learn about our Community Partners. We also encourage Community Partners who are not in the spotlight to attend and see what other services are available in the community.

To find the schedule for 2026 or to sign up for a specific month to be in the spotlight visit our Spotlight Cafe' page.

Community Partner Forum - Non Visual Cues for Mandated Reporters

Our first Community Partners and SSB Staff forum in 2026 will be held on January 26th at 8 a.m. During this session you will learn about our new webpage filled with helpful information on Mandated Reporting and training, What Non-Visual Cues to look for, and What to do with the certificate you receive upon completing your training. We encourage all our partners and staff to learn about this training we are strongly encouraging all those who work with customers to complete it.

You need to register in advance.

Change in Mileage Reimbursement

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced changes in the standard mileage rates for 2026. As of January 1, 2026, the mileage reimbursement rate for business use has increased to 72.5 cents per mile from 70 cents per mile for 2025. Please adjust your invoices appropriately.

State Services for the Blind provides tools and training for employment, living independently, and accessing print. We assist Minnesotans who are blind, DeafBlind, experiencing vision loss, or have difficulty accessing the printed word.

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SSB is an equal opportunity employer and program provider.

The Minnesota State Services for the Blind Vocational Rehabilitation program receives 78.69 percent of its funding through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For federal fiscal year 2024, the total amount of grant funds awarded were $10,410,449. The remaining 21.3 percent of the costs ($2,817,568) were funded by Minnesota state appropriations.