Grants from the U.S. Dept. of Education totaling $224 million are now available to help bolster opportunities for students with disabilities leaving school and hoping to work.

The initiative, the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Program, is looking “to support innovative … activities aimed at increasing competitive integrated employment (CIE).” It will provide between 22 and 32 awards worth an average of $7 million each in upfront funding to state education and vocational rehabilitation agencies, according to K12dive.com, which has a great summary of the project.

Applicant Information can be found here.

More Transition News

Transition services extended for some students with I/DD due to COVID-19: (nysenate.gov) In case you missed it, a bill passed in the New York State Legislature back in June 2021 allows some students in individualized education plans (IEPs) to continue receiving their special education services. Eligible students turned 21 years old during the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school years and did not receive their IEP because of the coronavirus pandemic. Under current state law, unique needs students can be removed from their individualized education services as soon as they hit their 21st birthday. The newly approved bill allows these students to finish their education plans up until their 23rd birthday.

Facts About Transition Planning in New York State (opwdd.ny.gov)

Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities (Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education)