VRS_MN-CE Training Spring 2023

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Minnesota Customized Employment (MN-CE) Training Spring 2023

Dear VRS Community Partners,

Registration is open for an April cohort session for Minnesota Customized Employment (MN-CE) Training. VRS is pleased to be able to offer the April MN-CE Training cohort session and the September cohort session free of cost.

Customized Employment Background

  • Customized Employment: Customized Employment (CE) is job placement for individuals who have disabilities which significantly impact their ability to find or keep a job using traditional job search methods. The goal of CE is to match a job seeker’s strengths, skills, interests, and support needs with a tailored or “customized” position in their community.
  • VRS Contracted Services: VRS authorizes to a Community Partner for a Customized Employment Discovery Services in order for the Community Partner to collaborate with an individual in the VR program to conduct an individualized determination of the unique strengths, needs, and interests of the individual designed to meet the specific abilities of the individual and the business needs of the employer.
  • MN-CE Training: Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation Services, State Services for the Blind, and the Department of Human Services developed the Minnesota Customized Employment (MN-CE) Training for employment services practitioners in 2018. This training is ACRE certified.

MN-CE Training Overview

  • Intended Audience: VRS Community Provider staff and VRS staff
  • Description: VRS Community Partner staff or VRS staff who complete the course will have learned and demonstrated the skills to complete the Customized Employment process with a job seeker. Each participant attends 40 hours of classroom instruction and 30 hours of homework over 14 weeks of training. The 14-week course includes nine full sessions, with time to cover all the course materials, complete the homework, and participate in break-out groups that encourage students to engage, share, and learn together. Participants who are working with a job seeker completing a Discovery process during the training period will receive mentoring from an experienced CE Professional who will offer guidance, answer questions, and provide immediate feedback.
  • Students or Auditors: VRS Community Provider staff and VRS staff may take the training as a MN-CE “Student” or MN-CE “Auditor.”
    • MN-CE Students: MN-CE “students” are VRS Community Partner staff who will be completing a full Discovery process during the training.
      • For those who register as students and are completing a Discovery process with a job seeker, a mentor will be assigned to work closely with you.
      • If completing a Discovery, students must have the job seeker identified and ready to initiate the Discovery process on or about April 18.
      • If a student needs a referral for an individual needing CE Discovery services, please indicate that immediately upon registration. VRS will try to secure a referral for the student, but VRS cannot guarantee one. Community Partners may find a referral through your current services or contact your local VR office.
    • MN-CE Auditors: MN-CE “auditors” are VRS Community Partner staff who are taking the course for knowledge on customized employment.
  • Courses Delivered: Virtually via Zoom
  • Trainers: Lindsay Alexander (DHS) and Margie Webb (VRS)
  • Additional 2023 MN-CE Training Cohort Sessions: In addition to the April cohort detailed below, VRS anticipates offering a MN-CE cohort session September – December 2023.
  • ACRE Certification: Each class participant who attends and completes all 9 training sessions will receive an Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE) certification with an emphasis in Customized Employment. Since this is a national credential, it is important to attend each session.
  • VRS Contracted Services: In order to provide Customized Employment Discovery Services through a contract with VRS, a VRS Community Partner must have a staff person who has obtained an ACRE certificate and has passed a Competency Review process through VRS.
  • CRC Credits: This training has been approved for 36 CRC credits or 40 CEUs.

April Cohort Details

  • Dates/Time: Classes begin April 18, 2023
    • MN-CE training includes 9 classes over 14 weeks.
    • Class Dates: May 2, May 16, May 30, June 13, June 27, August 1, August 8, and August 15.
    • Classes are held Tuesdays from 1:00 - 4:30 PM CST.
  • Pre-Registration: Anyone interested in registering for the course must watch this pre-training video which provides necessary information for students and outlines the requirements for the course.
  • Registration: If you would like to register please contact Margie Webb, VRS Customized Employment Specialist, at Margie.Webb@state.mn.us. Upon registration you will receive a letter of acceptance into the training and all of the Zoom training links to download onto your calendar.
  • Cost: VRS is pleased to be able to offer this MN-CE Training cohort session and the September – December cohort session free of cost.
  • Space Limitations and Priority:
    • Registration space is limited to 60 participants for each cohort.
    • Priority will be given to staff from organizations ending sub-minimum wages, staff from DHS 245D-licensed organizations, and staff from organizations who provide services in locations with limited CE capacity. Regions identified as having limited CE capacity include the south metro and east metro.
    • If there is more demand than space, applicants will be given priority to the fall class.
  • Accommodations and Questions: for registration questions or assistance with accommodation needs please contact Margie.Webb@state.mn.us. Please submit accommodation requests to Margie no later than April 10, 2023.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Margie.Webb@state.mn.us.

My best,

Kim

Kim Babine
VRS Director of Community Partnerships
651-259-7349
Kim.Babine@state.mn.us

What is the DEED-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Community Partner and Stakeholder listserv?

The Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) Division of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) comprises the public Vocational Rehabilitation program, the Minnesota Extended Employment program, Independent Living services, Individual Placement and Supports grants, and Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing grants.

The DEED-VRS Community Partner and Stakeholder listserv is the communication platform for current VRS Community Partners, potential VRS Community Partners, and other interested stakeholders in Minnesota’s disability employment services system. We encourage you to subscribe if you are an interested stakeholder in Minnesota’s disability employment services system.