Education Edge is Tennessee's program for school-to-work opportunities.

This project is designed to boost academic achievement and increase career preparedness for all students.

Seed money is being provided to the departments of Education and Labor (in cooperation with the departments of Economic and Community Development, Employment Security, and Human Services; the Tennessee Board of Regents; and the University of Tennessee) from a five-year, $28.2- million grant from the federal School-to Work Opportunities Act (STOWA).

Education Edge will be put in place at the local level through Community Partnerships among parents, educators, employers, and others.

STOWA seeks to ensure that all youth, including youth with disabilities, have the same opportunities to participate in all aspects of the school to work system. School-based learning, work-based learning, and connecting activities should be a part of every local plan.

To take advantage of STOWA opportunities, students with disabilities need an effective education Individual Transition Plan (ITP). Transition must be addressed on the student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) beginning at age 14 and a formal plan must be developed by the age of 16.

The transition plan should detail specific programs, activities and services that address the obstacles that youth with disabilities face as they transition from school programs to the world of work.

To learn more about Education Edge in your community:

• Call (615) 532-5942
• Write Education Edge office, 6th
  Floor, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710
  James Robertson Parkway,
  Nashville Tennessee 37243
• E-mail to EdEdge@ten-nash.ten.K-12.tn.us

Visit the World Wide Web site at

• http://www.state.tn.us/education/ stchpage.htm

A Title 33 Revision Commission, appointed by Governor Don Sundquist, is at work coming up with suggestions for changing Tennessee's legislation governing the delivery of services to persons with mental illness and/or mental retardation.

Two former commissioners of the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation were named chairman and vice-chairman. Respectively, they are Evelyn C. Robertson Jr., head of the Southwest Tennessee Developmental district in Jackson and Dr. Richard Treadway, chairman of the Board of Psychiatric Solutions in Nashville.

Former Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health Services, Mary Rolando is serving as director and DMRS Deputy Commissioner Tom Sullivan in an ex-officio member.

The commission held its first meeting in November. The final work will be presented to the state legislature for review. The commission will also evaluate how the recommendations comply with the remedial order and the settlement agreement in mental retardation services. Completion of the project is expected in about 18 months.

• Progress held ground breaking ceremonies in October for construction of a $1.6 million four-building campus to provide services to middle Tennesseans with developmental disabilities.

• Monica Randles, program coordinator in supportive employment for Bradley Cleveland Developmental Services, was honored by the Department of Human Services as one of its "Special Friends." Randles works with local businesses to help persons with disabilities secure employment in the community.