December 2023

Adult Career Pathways (ACP)

Team Updates

The ACP Team was excited to release nine competitive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) since July 2023. The team is in the process of reviewing all Southeast Asian, WESA, Adult Support Services, Getting to Work, and P2P applications and anticipate award announcements within the month.

• The Drive for Five, released on October 10, 2023, is due Monday December 11^th, 2023. Questions about this RFP may be directed to Ann Meyers (ann.meyers@state.mn.us) until Thursday December 7^th.
• The Targeted Populations RFP, released on Monday October 30^th is due Wednesday January 3^rd, 2024. We encourage Grantees and any interested organization to visit the site and review all outgoing grants. Questions about this RFP may be directed to Vanessa Roman (vanessa.roman@state.mn.us) until Thursday December 27^th.

All questions are captured and answered to the FAQs each week on the DEED Competitive Grants and Contracts webpage.

REMINDER: Final SFY22-23 reports are due by October 30^th, 2023 for competitive grants. The final quarterly report templates, for all programs,  are available on-line at the ACP home page under Forms, Final Grant Report Closeout template. All SFY22-23 Direct Appropriation grants’ final quarterly reports were due July 30^th, 2023. If you have not submitted yours to your Grant Coordinator, please do so by October 1^st, 2023. If needed, we have posted report instructions here.   

Quarterly reports are due the 30^th of the month following the end of the quarter or

• October 30
• January 30
• April 30
• July 30

Marketing ACP programs? A reminder to review the ACP Cost Category Guidance for allowable marketing and outreach costs and the disclaimer that must be included on ALL marketing material.

“The State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) funded (or funded in part) this training through a grant. The grant recipient created this training. DEED does not endorse this publicity or training or make guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership of the information herein or elsewhere.”

SFY24-25 Adult Direct Appropriation  

The ACP team is working closely with all Adult Direct Appropriation Grantees to finalize the SFY24-25 contracts. We appreciate your patience as we move these through our contracting process.

Thank you all for attending the Adult Career Pathways Direct Appropriations onboarding event and Workforce One training in September. Both have been posted to the ACP web page for reference.

SNAP E&T 50/50

The SNAP E&T project can provide additional, unrestricted funds to your organization when partnered with your ACP Grant. If you serve SNAP recipients within your ACP program(s) and are interested in more information about adding the SNAP E&T 50% Reimbursement program to your organization, please contact Ann Meyers at ann.meyers@state.mn.us.

Workforce One- ACP Programs

As a reminder, all participants enrolled in any SFY22-23 ACP program MUST be appropriately exited from Workforce One (WF1) upon the completion of the grant. As a reminder, past performance is taken into consideration when reviewing and recommending future ACP funding. The team recommends you run the “Grant Information Summary” report to ensure all data is entered correctly.

In order for your organization to capture outcomes for these participants, including participants enrolled in training, completing training, and entering employment all participants must Exit from Workforce One (WF1) within 45 days from the expiration of the grant contract. Be mindful as final Reimbursement Payment Requests (RPRs) are being processed and compared to data within Workforce One.

Adult Career Pathways Guides

The ACP Workforce One User Guide has been updated and posted to the ACP home page.

The ACP Operations Guide has been updated and posted to the ACP home page.  If you have any suggestions for the guide, please submit those to your Grant Coordinator.

Please contact your Adult Career Pathways Grant Coordinator directly with any questions regarding Adult Career Pathways Programs.

Dislocated Worker and Federal Adult Programs

Formula Funds – WIOA Adult, WIOA DW and State DW

• PY21FY22 WIOA Adult and DW Reallocation
  • Unspent PY21FY22 WIOA Adult and DW funds for reallocated is in process. Please be on the lookout for communication from the team.
• Quarterly Progress Report
  • Reports for quarter ending December 31, 2023, is due on January 31, 2024. Please report on all active grants.
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Being late or behind on QPRs may delay monthly invoice (RPR/FSR) payments.

Re-Entry Grant

• The next monthly meeting will be held on December 13, 2023, 10:00 -11:00 am
• Modification to RE-Entry contracts for new end date to June 30, 2025, is being processed.
• Check out the Re-Entry web page for information and resources. We’ll continue to update the page as needed.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) 

• Grantee Performance Management System (GPMS):

Our collective effort with the GPMS team continues to be fruitful as we work together to identify and address challenges within the system. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of GPMS as a valuable work tool for all SCSEP providers.

GPMS vLive Virtual Office Hours: We strongly encourage SCSEP providers to actively participate in the GPMS vLive Virtual Office Hours. Calendar invitations have been sent to all providers, and you can contact your DEED coordinator for further information. This is an excellent opportunity to gain insights into challenges and contribute to the ongoing improvements.

• Immediate Issue Resolution: The GPMS team is actively addressing immediate issues and diligently documenting those that require further research or technical solutions. Your participation and feedback are crucial in this process.

Access to Resources: All training webinars and virtual live events are recorded and stored in the WorkforceGPS archive. Additionally, GPMS e-newsletters (the October 2023 Issue 10 Vol 1 is now available) and a wealth of other GPMS resources can be accessed on the same platform. Please utilize the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section before submitting new inquiries.

• Program Progress Review for PY 2023: A Strategic Evaluation:

As we approach the midpoint of Program Year 2023, with December 31, 2023, on the horizon, it is crucial to initiate a comprehensive review of your program's progress. This marks the six-month milestone, presenting an opportune moment to assess the effectiveness of your program execution plans.

• Key Focus Areas for Evaluation:

Identification of Required Changes: Evaluate your current program execution plans to pinpoint areas where adjustments may be necessary. This proactive approach ensures that your strategies remain finely tuned to meet the evolving needs of our participants and stakeholders.

Optimizing Fund Utilization: Maximize the utilization of funds by scrutinizing your budget positions. The aim is to achieve a significant utilization of funds, with the expectation that participant positions, initially vacant at the beginning of the program year, are now filled.

• Performance Milestones:

Position Filling Expectations: By December 31^st, 2023, it is anticipated that participant positions, which were vacant at the start of the program year, will be successfully filled. This milestone is pivotal for the seamless execution of your program.

Financial Utilization Benchmarks: The target for funds utilization should ideally be around half of the budget positions by the end of December. This benchmark ensures a balanced and efficient allocation of resources.

Coordinator Update and Projection: Anticipate receiving an update and projection of your performance status from your DEED SCSEP program coordinator by December 31, 2023. This communication will provide valuable insights into your program's achievements, challenges, and the trajectory for the remainder of the program year.

Your commitment to this strategic review process is instrumental in the continued success of the SCSEP program. Together, let's ensure that our services make a meaningful impact on those who rely on them the most.

Check out the updated SCSEP web page for information and resources. We’ll continue to update the page as needed.

Retaining Employment and Talent after Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) 

• Celebrating another milestone: 2,200+ enrollments!
• We’re back on the air! MN RETAIN radio ads are playing across the state through the end of May 2024.
• RETAIN staff have presented to several WDAs and their Career Navigators – email john.connell@state.mn.us if you’re interested in learning more about how RETAIN can support your clients.
• If you or someone you know have an injury or illness that affects work? Visit mnretain.com to see if RETAIN could help.

Question From the Field

QUESTION: When a grant is closed out – I recall that there are some allowable percentages (e.g., up to 1%, or up to 10%, etc.) that are acceptable:

1. What are those percentages and
2. do they change per grant type (Adult, vs. WIOA DW, vs. State DW) and
3. do they change percentage allowable variance depending upon the cost category? For example: 2% for Admin, 5% for support services and 10% career staffing?

ANSWER: Except for Admin, which must be no more than 10%, there are no cost category limitations for WIOA Adult and DW. The grants team reviews modification requests and may have questions and/or recommendations.

For State DW, Admin is also 10% max but there are cost category limitations and “At the time of closing a grant, DEED grants staff will require a brief written justification (one paragraph) if the variance of any cost category exceeds 2% of the budgeted amount.”

July 2023 Partner Express includes some helpful information regarding continuity of services supported by two PY allocations, in the Performance Updates section

Please email all requests, reports, and technical assistance questions to the Dislocated Worker Federal Adult Programs general email at dwfaprograms.deed@state.mn.us.

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

Virtual Informational Sessions on December 5

Minnesota TAA is hosting virtual informational sessions on December 5 for people who may be eligible to apply for TAA benefits under older petitions. The team invites people based on their petition and layoff dates. As always, TAA will refer attendees to enroll in the DW program to access their TAA benefits. Thank you in advance for your work to serve these shared customers, some of whom may have been laid off under a TAA petition years ago. Links to the sessions are at https://www.careerforcemn.com/TAA

TAA Program Status and Funding

As a reminder, the TAA program has funding and continues to serve customers. TAA must be the primary source of funding for customers who are eligible. Previous Partner Express newsletters include articles related to the phased termination that the TAA Program entered on 7/1/22. The U.S. Department of Labor released TEGL 14-22 - Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Workers Program Phase-out Termination Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and is available at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/tegl-14-22.

TAA will perform various outreach efforts this winter to ensure those who are eligible for TAA are aware of the benefits available. Contact TAA with outreach suggestions or to ask about an individual’s eligibility.

Petitions

Petitions can still be filed, but DOL’s investigation is paused until program restoration or reauthorization. Here’s the link to check the status of petitions with U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/tradeact

Filed after July 1, 2022

• Torax Medical, St Paul
• Turck, Inc., Plymouth
• Ball Corp, St Paul
• Nordson Medical, Eagan
• Optum, Hopkins
• United Language Group, Minneapolis
• Sleep Number, Minneapolis

Please email all questions and customer applications to the Trade Adjustment Assistance general email at deed.taa@state.mn.us.

Monitoring

We are pleased to welcome the following new program monitors to the Employment and Training Program Division! Partners will soon be hearing from our new monitors in the coming months.

Adult Career Pathways Monitors

Prior to joining the Monitoring Unit, Israt Ferdous (she/her/hers), oversaw the U.S. Department of Education Strengthening Institutions Program at St. Catherine University. The grant’s purpose was to help undergraduate students with the development of Career and Future Readiness plans to be career-ready at graduation. In addition to her grant’s management experience, Ms. Ferdous, has 10+ years of research experience and teaching experience at the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh. Israt has a Ph.D. in Science Education and Ecological Science and Engineering from Purdue University.

Abdikarim Mohamed (he/him/his) comes to DEED from Lutheran Social Services, where he worked as an Employment Counselor, assisting Adult Career Pathways participants with their career and educational goals by connecting them with training opportunities and sustainable jobs. Before his work at Lutheran Social Services, he was one of the founding members of the Afro American Development Association located in Moorhead, Minnesota, where he helped to establish the grassroots volunteer organization and worked as their Community Outreach Director.

Ava McKnight, (they/she) joins the ETP team from the Unemployment Insurance Division at DEED. For the past 13 years Ava conducted Taxpayer Performance System reviews per minimum federal requirements and for continuous improvement. Ava also traveled to other states to conduct peer reviews as well as to provide training to new federal and state staff.

DW/Adult WIOA Monitor

Bridgett Backman (she/her/hers) comes to DEED after serving the past 11 years with local workforce development areas of Anoka and Ramsey County as a Program Manager of various programs including Youth, Dislocated Worker/Adult Programs, Older Worker Services and Adult Career Pathway Grants such as Pilot Reentry and P2P.  Prior to her workforce development roles, she worked for the state of Minnesota at two different colleges first at Hennepin Technical College then at Century College where she managed federal grants such Perkins, over 25 different Minnesota Job Skills Partnership grants and a variety of privately funded grants. 

Youth Program Monitor

Janelle Bane (she/her/hers) comes to DEED from a local youth workforce development nonprofit and new Youth at Work grantee, Urban Boatbuilders, where she was the Operations Manager for 6 years. There she was responsible for accounting, grant reporting, HR administration, volunteer management, among other responsibilities for the organization.

If you have questions about Monitoring content, please email shannon.rolf@state.mn.us.

Free marketing of your no-cost training programs on the Training Program Finder 

For information about how to get your training programs listed on the Training Program Finder on CareerForceMN.com, see instructions posted on this page in the staff and partner section of CareerForceMN.com (you need to be logged into your staff and partner account to access that page). 

Contact the CareerForce Information and Assistance line at 651-259-7500 or careerforce@state.mn.us if you have questions.

Labor Market Information

According to Current Employment Statistics, Minnesota gained 7,000 jobs from September to October, outpacing national job growth. At that level, Minnesota reached its highest number of jobs on record at 3,001,300 in October, the first month when the seasonally adjusted jobs estimate has surpassed 3 million. Over-the-month job growth was led by big gains in the Education & Health Services, Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality sectors. Minnesota has added jobs nine out of the last 12 months.

Even with the job growth, the state's unemployment rate ticked up one-tenth of a percent to 3.2% in October, lower than the national rate of 3.9%. Minnesota's labor force was essentially flat, dipping by 84 people, the first monthly decline in eight months. There continue to be many employment opportunities in Minnesota: as of August, there were more than 200,000 job openings in the state, according to national Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) data.

Minnesota's official unemployment rate is a useful indicator of the health of the state’s economy, but it does not tell the whole story. We can get a more complete picture of Minnesota's labor market by looking at alternative measures of unemployment, which provides the rates by age, gender, and race.

If you have questions about Labor Market Information, please email deed.lmi@state.mn.us.

This newsletter is meant for DEED Grantees, Providers, and Employment Counselors. We want this e-Newsletter to meet your needs! We encourage you to send your comments and suggestions to deed.taa@state.mn.us.

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