Review a summary of transition planning learning domains and the expected progression within each domain.
Minnesota's learning domains set learning expectations for consistent, high-quality transition programming in the state. Each domain features specific learning stages to support success.
Learning stages include:
Awareness: Understand the topics
Exploration: Discover strengths, preferences, interests and needs related to the topic
Preparation: Practice skills, make decisions and get ready for success within the topic
Implementation: Use skills within the topic
Below, explore the four domains and topics and learning stages within each domain — and see how to apply the learning domains to Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
For tools and resources to help you apply the framework, check out the support youth section of the toolkit.
Help youth and families set a vision for what their best life as an adult looks like. Ask: What do they see themselves doing? Where do they want to live? How much will it cost? Then introduce core concepts and tools that will help them build their best lives. This domain establishes the foundation for the other domains.
Learning stages and topics
Awareness: Understand best life concepts and tools to support transition planning.
Exploration: Identify the youth's strengths, interests, preferences and needs to support their best life vision.
Preparation: Use tools and strategies that build a foundation for independent living, employment, and postsecondary education or training.
Implementation: Youth applies skills in their everyday life.
Self-awareness
My strengths, interests, preferences and needs
My resources (formal and informal)
My team (people who can help me create my best life vision)
Life vision
My best life vision
Budget for my best life
Connection to independent living, employment, and postsecondary education and training
Advocating for my vision
Self-determination and advocacy basics
Rights basics
Advocating with loved ones and helpers
Planning for a good life
Person-centered planning concepts
Personal learning plan
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
504 plan
VRS/SSB employment plan
Waiver plan
Tools introduction
Charting the LifeCourse
Disability Hub MN, including toolkits and My Vault
Independent living, even with supports, involves many skills. Ensure youth and their families understand their options and have the skills they need to meet their goals. Also help youth see how to build connections and make meaningful contributions so they become valued members of the community.
Learning stages and topics
Awareness: Understand independent living concepts.
Exploration: Learn how independent living concepts relate to strengths, interests, preferences and needs.
Preparation: Practice skills, make decisions and get ready to enter into independent living.
Implementation: Use skills in independent living settings.
Daily life
Home management
Nutrition and meal preparation
Transportation
Clothing care
Appointment management
Telephone use and etiquette
Digital literacy
Recreation and leisure
Community living
Home
Transportation
Money
Income sources
Money management
Healthy living
Physical and mental well-being
Health care and benefits
Relationships and sexuality
Parenting skills
Advocacy, engagement and supports
Self-advocacy for independent living
Assistive technology
Decision making
Civic responsibility
Services and supports
As you help youth and families set a vision for what their best life looks like, make sure to talk about employment.
Help youth define what meaningful work means to them and launch them on the path to get it. If there are concerns about benefits, show them how benefits and work can go together to build the future they want.
Learning stages and topics
Awareness: Understand employment concepts.
Exploration: Learn how employment concepts relate to personal interests and strengths.
Preparation: Practice skills, make decisions and get ready to enter into employment.
Implementation: Use skills in employment.
Career exploration
Self-awareness of strengths, interests, preferences, and needs
Occupations or career possibilities that match strengths, interests, preferences, and needs
Work-based learning
Real work experiences
Benefits planning
Work and benefits
Resources and tools to use
How to manage benefits while working
Managing the job process
Job search strategies
Interview skills
Applying for work
How to advance at work
How to leave a job
Foundational skills
Job readiness
Work ethics
Hygiene
Interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Advocacy and supports in employment
Self-advocacy in the workplace
Disability disclosure
Accommodations
Work and benefits
Mentoring experiences
Leadership
Employment services and supports
Help youth identify continued education and training options that will help them reach their goals. Then, show them how to access the education or training that will prepare them to succeed.
Learning stages and topics
Awareness: Understand postsecondary education and training concepts.
Exploration: Learn how postsecondary concepts relate to strengths, interests, preferences and needs.
Preparation: Practice skills, make decisions and get ready to enter into postsecondary education or training.
Implementation: Use skills in postsecondary education or training settings.
Postsecondary education and training options
PSEO and concurrent enrollment
Certification programs
Apprenticeship programs
Degree programs
Military opportunities
Community education
Enrollment
Entrance exams
Applications
Essays and resumes
Financial aid
Skills for success in postsecondary education and training
Learning strategies
Study skills
Test-taking skills
Organization
Time management
Self-advocacy in postsecondary education and training settings
Accommodations, modifications and assistive technology
On-campus supports
Rights and responsibilities
Other services and supports
Pre-ETS services include:
Career exploration
Self-awareness of strengths, interests, preferences and needs
Occupations or career possibilities that match strengths, interests, preferences and needs
Career exploration
Work-based learning experiences
Postsecondary education and training options
PSEO and concurrent enrollment
Certification programs
Apprenticeship programs
Degree programs
Military
Community education
Enrollment
Exams
Applications
Essays and resumes
Financial aid
Skills for success in postsecondary education and training
Learning strategies
Study skills
Test taking skills
Organization
Time management
Money
Income sources
Money management
Daily life
Home management
Nutrition and meal preparation
Transportation
Clothing care
Appointment management
Telephone use and etiquette
Digital literacy
Recreation and leisure
Healthy living
Physical and mental well-being
Health care and benefits
Relationships and sexuality
Parenting skills
Managing the job process
Job search strategies
Interview skills
Applying for work
How to advance at work
How to leave a job
Foundational skills
Job readiness
Work ethics
Hygiene
Interpersonal skills
Communication skills
Self-awareness
My strengths, interests, preferences and needs
My resources (formal and informal)
My team (people who can help me create my best life vision)
Life vision
My best life vision
Budget for my best life
Connection to independent living, employment, and postsecondary education and training
Advocating for my vision
Self-determination and advocacy basics
Rights basics
Advocating with loved ones and helpers
Planning for a good life
Person-centered planning concepts
Personal learning plan
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
504 plan
VRS/SSB employment plan
Waiver plan
Advocacy, engagement and supports for independent living
Self-advocacy for independent living
Assistive technology
Decision making
Civic responsibility
Services and supports
Advocacy and supports in employment
Self-advocacy in the workplace
Disability disclosure
Accommodations
Work and benefits
Mentoring experiences
Leadership
Employment services and supports
Self-advocacy in postsecondary education and training settings
Accommodations, modifications and assistive technology
