VRS_Update 1/14/21_DATE CORRECTION

Vocational Rehabilitation Services header

Dear Community Partners, 

I have a few updates to share with you today. 

 

Save the Dates: 2021 VRS Community Partner + VRS Staff Forums 

VRS is pleased to invite you to a series of VRS Community Partner + VRS Staff Forums in 2021. The forums will take place on the first Tuesday of the month, every other month, from 10:30am - 12:00pm, starting February 2, 2021. The list of dates is below. Registration information and zoom links will be sent prior to each forum. The list of dates is also published on our VRS webpage. 

  • Tuesday, February 2, 2021: 10:30am - 12:00pm 
  • Tuesday, April 6, 2021: 10:30am - 12:00pm 
  • Tuesday, June 1, 2021: 10:30am - 12:00pm 
  • Tuesday, August 3, 2021: 10:30am - 12:00pm 
  • Tuesday, October 5, 2021: 10:30am - 12:00pm 
  • Tuesday, December 7, 2021: 10:30am - 12:00pm 

 

Keep MDHR Certifications Up to Date!  

There are certain certifications a contract holder with the state of Minnesota must maintain with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. A Workforce Certificate is required for any Community Partner that employs 40 or more employees and whose contract will exceed $100,000. An Equal Pay Certificate is required for any Community Partner whose contract will exceed $500,000. You will have needed to provide these certifications when you executed your P/T contract with VRS if they were necessary at the time. 

 

It is the responsibility of the Community Partner to keep those certifications up to date. Please note the expiration dates of your certificate(s) and compare that date to the expiration date of your P/T contract. Please be sure to apply for a certificate renewal well ahead of its expiration date. 

 

If a certification expires, VRS and DEED Fiscal will be unable to process contracts, process contract amendments, or make payments. The statewide accounting system, SWIFT, will not allow a contract, contract amendment, or payment to be processed unless MDHR has noted in SWIFT that approved certifications are on file.   

 

If you currently have either certificate: please obtain new certificates well ahead of their expiration date to avoid any delay in processing payments against your contract. 

 

Information for how to apply for the needed certificates is below.  

  • Workforce Certificate: Required for any Community Partner that employs 40 or more employees and whose contract will exceed $100,000. https://mn.gov/mdhr/certificates/apply-renew/workforce-certificate/  
  • Equal Pay Certificate: Required for any Community Partner whose contract will exceed $500,000. https://mn.gov/mdhr/certificates/apply-renew/equal-pay-certificate/ 

 

Conclusion 

I’m very grateful for your partnership as we start this new year. 

 

My best, 

Kim 

 

Kim Babine 

Director of Community Partnerships 

Direct: 651-259-7349 

Kim.Babine@state.mn.us