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E1MN Newsletter - July 2024

E1MN Updates

Reminder: Lead Agency Employment First Capacity Building Grant Request for Proposal

As an Employment First state, Minnesota is committed to advancing competitive integrated employment (CIE) for all people with disabilities. As another way to support this effort, the 2023 legislature created the Lead Agency Employment First Capacity Building grants. DHS has approximately $2.4 million each fiscal year for grants to help counties and Tribal Nations who administer Home and Community Based Services Waiver funds to build capacity for employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

This grant is specifically for lead agencies to develop a plan to support people with disabilities in contemplating, exploring, and maintaining competitive, integrated employment. The state expects to award up to eight grants to counties and Tribal Nations throughout the state. Grant contracts are anticipated to be for two years and may be extended for a total of five years.

Key Points:

The application is simple. Lead agencies only need to answer five simple questions (one to determine equity impact and four to determine intent to collaborate) and agree to an attestation. Lead Agencies do not need a plan on how to increase employment outcomes or a budget.
Grantees get support to develop a plan. The University of Minnesota’s MN Transformation Initiative (MTI) will help each grantee develop a plan to increase employment services in their county and will support them throughout the life of the grant with any technical assistance needs.
Grantees get funding as soon as they sign the contract. This funding could be used to hire a staff for this work.

Please help us share this opportunity by forwarding to your lead agency contact(s) and/or lead agency leadership.

Applications are due by July 12, 2024.

To read the full Request for Proposal and/or apply go to DHS is seeking to provide the Lead Agency Employment First Capacity Building Grant Program. (DOC) (mn.gov)

Hub Spotlight

Disability Hub FAQs

For answers to common questions about the E1MN Partnership, check out the Frequently Asked Questions webpage on the Disability Hub website.

Resources

VRTAC-QM Manager Minute Podcast

The Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Management strives to enhance service delivery outcomes through quality program and resource management. To learn about efforts and experiences, view the Manager Minute podcasts to learn more.

Kayla Stone Memorial Scholarship

The Transition Specialties Division (TSD) of the Minnesota Rehabilitation Association (MRA) is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year Kayla Stone Memorial Scholarship. One student who meets the eligibility criteria will be awarded a $500 scholarship in Kayla's memory. Read more about Kayla's legacy and obtain the application, visit the TSD webpage. Applications are due by August 20, 2024!

Community Life Engagement in Action

The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at UMass Boston is partnering with the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Institute on Disability on a project called Community Life Engagement (CLE) in Action. Please feel free to forward the following information from ICI to organizations in your state:

"We are looking for service provider organizations that:

support people with IDD

have a demonstrated commitment to the vision of CLE at multiple levels within their organization

are ready to commit to actively engaging with the group over the coming year

We define CLE as access to and participation in the community as part of a meaningful day. Related activities can include volunteer work, civic engagement, recreation, fitness, involvement in faith communities, and any other activities that people with and without disabilities participate in outside of their work lives.

The CLE in Action Community of Practice is a virtual group where service provider organizations will come together to share ideas and resources about helping people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to meaningfully participate in their communities. Participants will:

Learn from each other. Using the ECHO Model, we will rely on an “All Teach, All Learn” strategy so members can learn from each other’s real-world experiences and challenges.

Learn from subject matter experts. This includes the CLE in Action team and other experts in supporting providers to achieve high-quality CLE outcomes.

Gain support and coaching from a community of like-minded peers.

Benefit from group problem-solving with others facing similar situations.

Learn more about this opportunity and apply for CLE Community of Practice membership. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2024.

If you have any questions about this initiative, feel free to email Staci Jones at Staci.Jones@umb.org."

Success Stories

APSE Podcast

In the MN APSE Podcast, “If You Believe It, You Can Achieve It”, MN APSE’s Chris Davies talks with self-advocates, policymakers, providers and others involved in efforts in Minnesota to raise the bar of employment for people living with disabilities and mental health challenges.

In S4E2, Chris Davies is joined by Dupree Edwards. Dupree is employed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration – supporting the ICI training team that works on training and technical assistance related to the Minnesota DHS Systems Change project.

In S4E3, Chris Davies is joined by Gary Otto. Gary is a Life Enrichment Associate in his current position at Epic Enterprise, where he helps people with different disabilities enjoy meaningful social and recreation experiences.

Events

APSE Lunch and Learn

Join MN APSE on July 18, 2024, from 12-1pm for a Microgrant focused lunch and learn with the Arc of Minnesota! Sarah Johnson, from their Microgrant team, will present a brief overview of this helpful program that supports Minnesotans living with disabilities in achieving their housing or employment related goals. Find out if this program will work for your clients, get inspired by success stories, and answer all of your other Microgrant questions. To register and learn more about the APSE Lunch and Learns, go to the MN APSE website.

Assistive Technology for Employment Support Webinar

Join DHS and Minnesota Networking in Education and Assistive Technology (MN-NEAT) for “Assistive Technology for Employment Support” at 10 a.m. on July 18, 2024.

This webinar is about the ways assistive technology and remote support can:

Enhance workplace accessibility.
Empower people to overcome barriers to success.

It also explains funding programs and waivers that cover technology expenses to ensure equitable access.

Use the following information to attend the webinar:

Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Date: July 18, 2024.
Registration: To register, refer to Zoom webinar registration – MN-NEAT: Assistive Technology for Employment Support.
Cost: Free.

What is the E1MN Newsletter?

E1MN is Minnesota's state agency partnership to advance Employment First outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities. The state agency partnership evolved from Minnesota's Employment First policy adopted by the Olmstead sub-cabinet in 2014.

The E1MN Newsletter is a way to communicate important information to professionals (school, VRS/SSB, county, provider staff) who support employment outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities.

Learn more about E1MN
Subscribe to this E1MN Newsletter
To submit questions or requests related to E1MN, use the E1MN request form