Outside Agencies & Roles

IDEA requires that schools must invite a representative from an outside agency that is likely to provide or pay for transition services. Therefor the school team must:

1. Formally invite an outside agency that is likely to provide transition services

2. Obtain input from the outside agency if the agency is unable to attend the IEP team meeting

3. If the student is not making progress on completing a transition activity, the school district is obligated to reconvene the team to problem-solve the lack of progress and determine how the student's needs will be met.

High school students with disabilities that affect their ability to plan and prepare for work may apply for transition services through Minnesota's VRS program. Services are custom-tailored for individual students. VRS counselors can work with students after graduation and typically work with students until they are placed in a job that they want for at least 90 days.

Common services might include:

• Help identify possible careers (i.e., interest and ability testing and career exploration services)

• Help to get a job (i.e., job-seeking skills training, job placement services, and on-the-job evaluations)

• Help to keep a job (i.e., job-coaching support)

• Assistance with completing financial aid applications for post-secondary education

• Assistance with obtaining a driving permit

• Payment for materials, equipment, or assistive technology (if needed) for a job