October 2024

Updates

We are excited to announce that the ACP Provider Map is now posted to the ACP webpage! You are able to search for services and ACP training programs across the state by provider, types of training, certifications and credentials offered, location and/or tribal service area. The ACP Provider Map will display a list of providers and the provider’s contact information. Just click on the training provider name and you will be redirected to their website.

The Office of Adult Career Pathways is soliciting applications for the following three Transformative Career Pathways programs:

• Funding Workforce to eligible organizations to provide skills training to communities of color and/or low-income communities, leading to employment or business development in high-growth industries. This RFP offers three (3) eligible services: Part 1a: Job & Skills Training, Part 1b: Organizational Mentorship, and Part 2: Entrepreneurial Skills Training. Applications are due Monday October 7^th, 2024.
• Funding Capacity Building to eligible Minnesota community-based organizations to increase their capacity to provide workforce services and related training to historically underserved communities of color or low-income communities. Applications will be accepted on a continual basis until all funds have been awarded.
• Funding Diversity and Inclusion training to eligible Minnesota small businesses to increase their ability to engage, hire, and retain people of color in a variety of roles.

We encourage you to review the RFPs and submit an application if you fit the eligibility and are interested in the opportunity. We also encourage you to share these opportunities with your partners or small business partners.

The link to the RFPs can be found at DEED’s Competitive Grants and Contracts webpage: https://mn.gov/deed/about/contracts/open-rfp.jsp   

Provider Meetings

The Adult Career Pathways Team will begin hosting quarterly Drive for 5 and Competitive grant(s) provider meetings.

The intention of these meetings is to share best practices and strategies, discuss challenges, and source solutions. DEED will also provide universal program updates during this time. Your first point of contact remains your ACP Grant Coordinator; however, these meetings will give us an opportunity to connect providers across the state and to ensure that DEED is providing consistent communication.

Webex invitations have been sent to the ACP contact on file, but please feel free to share with any staff at your organization who oversee your ACP Drive for 5 and/or competitive grant/s. We kindly ask that each organization limit the number of staff to 2-3, ensuring we are able to have meaningful conversations.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the first meeting in October!

Quarterly Reports – Due Dates

Quarterly reports are due the 30^th of the month following the end of the quarter. See below for the report due dates:

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

Program-specific report templates are available on the webpage under Adult Career Pathways Programs. If you need assistance, please connect with your Grant Coordinator. If needed, we have also posted Quarterly Report Instructions.

Adult Career Pathways Guides

No changes have been made to the ACP Workforce One User Guide and ACP Operations Guide.

Grantee Spotlight

Minnesota Independence College & Community (MICC) provides transformative education and training for autistic and neurodivergent adults to live independently, work purposefully, and thrive in community. After one mother, Beverly Hatlen, discovered that no post-high-school programs for autistic adults existed for her son, she and her husband opened what would become MICC in 1996 with 13 students and a college-like program to teach life and career skills.

MICC has programs tailored for those with autism, ADHD/ADD, or other neurological, developmental, or learning disabilities. They offer several programs: A College Program for adults 18-26 who want to learn how to live independently; Workplace Readiness for those ages 18 and older who are motivated to build a new career through skill development, on the job training, and mentorship; A week-long Summer Program for teens 15-18 years old and young adults 18-25 years old that features some of the same aspects of the College program such as independent living skills, self-advocacy, job exploration, and social coaching.

Within the innovative framework of hands on, skills-based learning and caring guidance, MICC participants build self-sufficiency, as well as develop and sustain careers, support systems, and lifelong relationships.

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

Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury Illness Network (RETAIN)

• MN RETAIN is open for enrollment! Do you know someone that has an injury or illness that affects their work? Visit com to see if MN RETAIN could help.
• Eligible individuals can receive 1:1 support from a Mayo Clinic Return-to-Work Case Manager.

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board

• Next Board meeting will be held on October 28, 2024.

Performance & Accountability

WIOA Dislocated Worker:

• Annual Dislocated Worker 9169 
• Annual Dislocated Worker Measurable Skill Gains 
• Annual Dislocated Worker Scorecard 

WIOA Adult:

• Annual Adult 9169
• Annual Adult Measurable Skill Gains 
• Annual Adult Scorecard 

Program Year 2023 - Percent of Goals Achieved: WIOA Adult percent of 16 Workforce Development Area’s exceeding their goal (green), successfully meeting their goal (yellow), and failing their goal (pink). Please note, to request the following charts in an alternative format, please contact performanceap.deed@state.mn.us

WIOA Dislocated Worker percent of 16 Workforce Development Area’s exceeding their goal (green), successfully meeting their goal (yellow), and failing their goal (pink).

Program Year 2024 and 2025 Local Area Negotiations: We appreciate your partnership during the PY24 and PY25 local area negotiations!! Confirmation letters will be emailed to local area leadership teams by October 30, 2024.

Request for TA Event Topics and assistance: For performance or data entry questions, please email performanceap.deed@state.mn.us

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

• A variety of resources (listed below) are available to grantees to successfully identify, implement and evaluate outreach and recruitment strategies. These tools support and emphasize the importance of proactive outreach from the onset of the grant through its implementation, ensuring grantees can maximize opportunities to serve and place individuals in employment.
  • Participant Outreach, Recruitment and Support-Webinar
  • Tips to Enhance Participant Retention
  • Datasets, Tools, and Approaches to Improve Reemployment Services
  • Workforce Programs Serving Older Workers and Other Populations with Employment Barriers
• SCSEP as a partner in American Job Center: Older job seekers often need current information and renewed confidence to navigate today's job market. For guidance on how to assist older job seekers, access the CareerOneStop Tools for Older Job Seekers webinar recording: CareerOneStop Webinar Recording
• GPMS vLive Office Hours https://olderworkers.workforcegps.org/resources/2023/02/17/20/54/GPMS-Office-Hours-vLive This page is a resource for all materials and recordings generated by the GPMS Office Hours series.

Question from the field

Question:

I want to clarify if State DW Cost Category Waivers are still required for PY23 State DW grants since the legislation change occurred with PY24 grants?

Answer:

Yes, SDW cost category limitations and waivers still apply to PY23. Those do not apply to PY24 due to the change, which took effect on July 1, 2024.

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

Virtual Informational Sessions

Minnesota Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) hosts virtual informational sessions and refers attendees to enroll in the Dislocated Worker (DW) program to access their TAA benefits. The sessions are for people who may be eligible to apply for TAA benefits under older petitions. 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. The next session is October 23 and the link to the session is at https://www.careerforcemn.com/TAA.

TAA Program Status and Funding

The TAA program has funding and continues to serve customers. Congress has not reauthorized the program but could reauthorize it at any time. For customers who are eligible under older petitions and seeking training, TAA must be the primary source of funding. Contact TAA with outreach suggestions or to ask about an individual’s eligibility, and use the resources available for Counselors and Services Providers.

TEGL 07-23 - Ongoing Operations of the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Workers Program During Phase-Out Termination is available at TEGL 07-23 | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov).

Petitions

Petitions can still be filed, but Department of Labor’s investigation is paused until program restoration or reauthorization. To see the list of petitions in Minnesota filed after July 1, 2022, visit the Certified and Pending TAA Petitions on the CareerForce site.

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

Monitoring Unit Name Change

The Monitoring Unit has undergone a name change to Compliance Unit!  This name change allows us to better incorporate the addition of our data validation work. The Employment and Training Programs (ETP) Compliance Unit responsibilities will continue to include the programmatic and fiscal monitoring of state and federal grants in addition to administering DEED’s annual Data Validation of the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) core and non-core programs as required by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). More information will be provided in future Partner Express issues. 

Electronic Document Storage (EDS)

See below for additional questions asked re: Electronic Document Storage (EDS). 

Click here to watch the Electronic Document (EDS) Webinar

Electronic Document Storage (EDS) Policy & WF1 Document Storage Guide

Electronic Document Storage (EDS) FAQ:

1. What is the importance of adding a date to the document name in EDS? Adding the date to the document name is crucial as it helps ensure that the most recent version of a document is easily identifiable. This practice is particularly important when multiple versions of a document may exist, allowing users to quickly determine the latest update.
2. Are all fields required when uploading documents in EDS, and how are required fields indicated? Not all fields are required when uploading documents in EDS. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are the minimum required fields. However, some programs and local policies might mandate additional fields beyond these minimum requirements.

3. Where can I find the guide for uploading documents in EDS? The guide for uploading documents is attached to the EDS Policy. It's also available at the following link: https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/ddp/PolicyDetail.aspx?pol=578.

4. How can I edit an uploaded document? From the Document Summary page, select the Tags and Comments link to review the tags and comments associated with the document in EDS. On the Document Tags and Comments page, select the “Edit Tags” button to update, add, or change the tags related to the document.

5. What if an agency already has another storage system? Are we still required to use the WF1 EDS System? Yes, all providers must adhere to the guidance issued in the EDS policy, even if they have their storage system already in place.
   
   
6. How should agencies handle uploading agency-specific documents into WF1 EDS? For agency-specific documents, Counselors can choose the most appropriate document type and fill in the "User Defined Document Name" to add further clarification. DEED issued a guide which is also available at the following link: https://apps.deed.state.mn.us/ddp/PolicyDetail.aspx?pol=578.

7. What is the privacy level for sensitive documents in EDS, such as medical Documents? Sensitive documents like medical documentation default to "private" in EDS. This privacy level allows only assigned WF1 users and users with higher access levels to view the document. Information uploaded to EDS should be treated the same as a paper copy maintained in a case file, as EDS is considered part of that case file.

8. Can counselors accept screenshots? Yes, screenshots are acceptable for uploading to EDS, as long as the document is clear, readable, and includes all pages. 

9. Do users need to update previously uploaded documents to comply with the new policy? The new policy applies to documents uploaded after July 1, 2024. There's no need to go back and update documents uploaded unless that file is selected during data validation or monitoring.

10. Can documents be uploaded to multiple grants simultaneously? As of September 2024, the ability to upload documents to multiple grants at once is not available. However, this feature may be reconsidered for future updates to the WF1 system.

11. Do you have additional questions? Email deed@state.mn.us

PY24 Data Validation

PY24 will be DEED’s first year conducting data validation across all federal partners.  We have chosen a gradual approach to our roll out, which means our first year will include a smaller subset of records. This will allow us to strategically identify and address issues that may arise,  giving us the time needed before data validation is done on a larger scale in PY25 and PY26. A communication was sent to the field on August 30^th with instructions and next steps.  The data validation team looks forward to working with our federal partners in the coming months! 

 What is the Data Validation Schedule for PY24?

If needed in an alternative format, please contact,shannon.rolf@state.mn.us

Approximately how many files will be validated?

An average of 10-30 files per federal partner will be validated.

 How are files selected?

DEED uses a stratified random sampling method to pull participant records from our SQL database for validation within each WIOA Program. The sample is stratified by LWDA, ensuring the number of records validated from each area is proportionate to its total records.

Which program files will be validated?

• WIOA Adult
• WIOA Dislocated Worker
• WIOA Youth
• TAA
• National Dislocated Worker (DWG)

What are the responsibilities of federal partners during data validation?

Federal program partners will work collaboratively with DEED Data Validation Specialists to ensure source documentation is uploaded into WF1 EDS system and correct missing information or documentation as needed. 

How can I find out more information about Data Validation?

Attend one of DEED’s Data Validation Webinars in October 2024. Registrations are unlimited.  We will introduce data validation, share findings from PY23, provide an overview of what to expect for PY24, and share best practices to ensure success during data validation.

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

CareerForceMN.com: making changes to make this website easier to use! 

If needed in an alternative format, please contact: rita.beatty@state.mn.us

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

Update:

October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota. The manufacturing industry is a critically important part of Minnesota’s diverse economy, contributing $57.2 billion (12%) to the state’s economy in 2023 - and making a wide range of products to improve the lives of people around the world - from medical devices to food to recreational vehicles and everything in between. Manufacturing workers took home $25.7 billion in wages from Minnesota manufacturing jobs last year, making an average annual wage of just under $79,000, which is 10% higher than the state’s overall average private sector wage. There is a big demand for people to work in manufacturing positions in Minnesota, now and into the future - making it a strong career path choice. You can find a listing of career exploration and hiring events taking place throughout the month around the state. DEED’s Regional Analysis & Outreach unit also produced a series of Local Look blogs exploring the importance of Manufacturing in each region:

• Central
• Northeast
• Northwest
• Southeast
• Southwest
• Twin Cities Metro

Fall LMI Training Sessions

DEED's Regional Analysts have scheduled a set of Labor Market Information training sessions for the fall of 2024. These hands-on training sessions - whether virtual or in-person - will help attendees learn where to find and how to use DEED’s labor market information data tools. Attendees will navigate data tools on our website (mn.gov/deed/data/) and learn how to use them to understand the local economy and provide guidance to jobseekers and others.

Please note that there are a variety of options available for different audiences including DEED and partner staff; workforce development, human resource, and economic development professionals; and other partners in the system. Check the title and location when registering for the session that works best for you.

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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