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Youth in Transition Toolkit:

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Transition framework

About the framework

Minnesota’s transition framework defines high-quality transition programming for youth with disabilities and those who support them.

A circular graphic depicting the Minnesota Transition framework. The words 'Youth in transition' are in the center, surrounded by four overlapping circles. The four circles contain the words: • Best Life, Outcomes: Use skills to envision and advocate for their best life • Independent Living, Outcomes: Successfully live as independently as possible • Employment, Outcomes: Find competitive, integrated work they enjoy • Postsecondary Education and Training, Outcomes: Obtain industry-recognized credentials Surrounding the four circles are the words: learning expectations, guiding principles, shared practices. Along the outermost edge of the graphic are the words: Aligned practices, coordinated services and supports, family partnerships, consistent expectations.

Developed by E1MN and transition leaders statewide, the framework strengthens the partnership between schools, Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS)/State Services for the Blind (SSB), waiver case managers, and service providers.

The framework:

  • Aligns common values, systems and best practices
  • Facilitates coordination of services and supports
  • Promotes collaborative partnerships with youth, families and professionals
  • Ensures consistent transition planning expectations for youth and families

Learn about Minnesota’s transition framework
Actor, playwright and disability advocate Kevin Kling introduces the transition framework in this 6 minute video.

Minnesota’s transition framework

 

The framework features three key elements:

  • Guiding principles based on person-centered practices
  • Shared practices that ensure a consistent experience for youth and families while optimizing the role of everyone on the transition planning team.
  • Learning expectations that define the curricula for consistent high-quality transition programming, focused on topics that support the transition to adult life. The topics are organized into four domains (My best life, Independent living, Employment, and Postsecondary education and training) and each topic is broken down into four learning stages (Awareness, Exploration, Preparation and Implementation).

The framework helps professionals support youth to:

  • Use self-determination and leadership skills to envision and advocate for their best life
  • Successfully live as independently as possible, becoming part of the community they choose and living in housing that works for them
  • Find competitive, integrated work they enjoy
  • Access postsecondary education and training options and obtain industry-recognized credentials
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Related resource

  • Minnesota’s transition framework (PPT)
    This presentation introduces Minnesota's new transition framework and how it helps professionals support youth in transition and their families. It also provides an introduction to the youth in transition toolkit which provides statewide access to up-to-date resources, guidance and tools to help professionals implement the framework.

Next: Guiding principles »