The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has announced it has received a federal grant to prepare low-income youth and young adults ages 16-24 who have disabilities to complete post-secondary education and successfully transition into the workforce. Minnesota is one of four states to receive this grant.
DEED's $12 million Equitable Transitions Models (ETM) grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy will support a five-year program of intensive case management services, including career pathways programming that begins with career exploration activities and advances to credentials attainment, skills acquisition, work-based learning, paid work experiences and, ultimately, jobs in the adult labor force.
DEED's program will include targeted outreach to young people participating in the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work program. Available to people ages 18 and up who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits, the Ticket to Work program helps ensure participants continue to receive essential benefits and services as they explore opportunities toward financial independence and self-sufficiency.
For implementation, DEED is partnering with PACER Center in the Twin Cities metro area and four Greater Minnesota workforce development organizations. Among them is Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, which has locations in Marshall, Montevideo and Worthington.
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