November 2024
 Updates
The Office of Adult Career Pathways is soliciting applications for the two Transformative Career Pathways programs:
- 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.
- 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. Awards for these two programs will be conducted on a quarterly basis until all funds have been awarded.
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
Reminders
As programs and services are advancing, please remember that any partner compensated from DEED funds should be listed on your contract. Contracts may be amended/modified to reflect additional compensated partners if they were not included in the original executed contract. Please reach out to your ACP Program Coordinator if you have any questions.
Grantees are subject to bidding requirements for goods and services purchased under DEED grants. Please note that any purchases of equipment over $5,000 must be pre-approved, outlined within the agreed upon contract, and follow the bidding process. Goods and services that cost:
- $100,000 or more must undergo a formal notice and bidding process.
- Between $25,000 and $99,999 must be competitively awarded based on a minimum of three (3) verbal quotes or bids.
- Between $10,000 and $24,999 must be competitively awarded based on a minimum of two (2) verbal quotes or bids or awarded to a targeted vendor.
Provider Meetings
The Adult Career Pathways Team began hosting quarterly Drive for 5 and Competitive grant(s) provider meetings in October. Thank you to those that took the time to attend and provide valuable feedback!
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 were sent to the ACP contact person on file, but please feel free to share upcoming events 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 next meeting in January!
Adult Career Pathways Webpage
Check out the ACP home page for resources and tools to assist in the management of ACP Grants.
- Cost Category Guidance
- Added link to Department of Revenue to the General Rules section #9 for tax exempt information (page 7).
- ACP Operations Guide
- Recently updated to remove Individual Employment Plan (IEP) language from guide.
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ACP Provider Map – Recently Added!
- Quarterly Report templates
Grantee Spotlight
Native Sun Community Power Development is a Native-led nonprofit dedicated to advancing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and an equitable energy transition. Through education, workforce training, and hands-on demonstrations, they empower Native communities to embrace sustainable practices and co-create a just energy future. Native Sun currently has several projects in motion. Electric Nation is a Native-led partnership bringing clean, affordable transportation to rural Tribal communities and creating an inter-Tribal EV charging network; The Clean Energy Accelerator Initiative strives to increase diversity in the energy-related construction workforce
Native Sun has a unique approach to its DEED-supported workforce programming. Using self-paced, online modules as the mechanism for training and employment readiness enables Native Sun to meet people where they are while reducing traditional barriers like transportation, scheduling, childcare, etc. They cultivate and leverage community partners to deliver hands-on technical training and work-based learning, while also providing support services and coaching throughout. Their readiness programming includes not only an introduction to green careers, but also important training on life skills, power skills, employability, and interest matching, as well as industry-recognized credentials. By using this approach, Native Sun enables participants to be better prepared and more successful for future training and employment opportunities, particularly in the growing clean energy sector.
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)
In September, MN RETAIN was awarded a 5 year, $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue to serve ill/injured individuals that need support to remain in the workforce. Read more about the award by visiting https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-awards-more-251-million-improve-employment-opportunities-individuals-disabilities
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board
- The next MJSP Board meeting and retreat will be held on Monday, December 2, 2024.
- If you intend to submit a supplemental funding request, please inform your grant coordinator as soon as possible, or no later than November 6.
Dislocated Worker Federal and Adult Programs (DWFAP) Policies
Dislocated Worker and Federal Adult Programs (DWFAP) Releases Update to State Dislocated Worker Eligibility Policy for Public Comment (Emailed 10/9/24)
The draft State Dislocated Worker Eligibility Policy is now posted for public comments/feedback at this link: DEED Policies (state.mn.us). Updates incorporate the 2024 legislative changes to the State Dislocated Worker Program.
Feedback will be accepted through Friday, November 8, 2024; please share the link with your Dislocated Worker (DW) partners and networks.
The public comment period provides an opportunity to hear from our stakeholders on recommendations and ideas to improve the policy. Please note that all feedback will be closely reviewed and used to ensure the policy is current and aligns with federal and state requirements. We encourage you to share the draft policy with your staff and stakeholders. Additionally, questions received will be included in an upcoming FAQ.
Feedback can be submitted by clicking "Send a comment" found at the bottom of the draft policy or sending your comments/questions directly to DWFAPrograms.DEED@state.mn.us.
State Dislocated Worker Program Expansion Workforce One Updates:
- Workforce One changes and updates to allow enrollment of new populations will be available in November/December.
- Training for program operators will be in December (exact date will be shared soon).
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
PY2023 Customer Satisfaction Surveys.
Exciting developments are underway as the PY 2023 participant and host agency customer satisfaction surveys are prepared for distribution, with the first surveys scheduled to be mailed out in late October or early November.
For participants, the process remains consistent with previous years. Grantees will receive their participant sample lists by the end of September or early October, which they will then forward to their sub-grantees. These teams are responsible for sending pre-survey letters to participants by the specified deadline, ensuring everyone is informed about the upcoming survey. A mail house will handle the survey mailings, sending them out approximately 5-7 days later. To streamline the process, sample pre-survey letters and detailed instructions will accompany the participant sample lists.
It is crucial that participants are prepared to receive and respond to the surveys. Pre-survey letters were distributed to providers on October 22, 2024, with instructions to mail them to participants promptly.
For host agencies, all PY 2023 surveys will be conducted digitally. Separate guidance on preparing and delivering these digital surveys will be shared in upcoming communications.
Addressing Declining Response Rates
Recent response rates have dropped below 50%, significantly lower than in past years. Grantees are encouraged to leverage their close relationships with participants and host agencies to boost responses. Survey feedback improves services and supports continued program funding.
Federal Monitoring of SCSEP
The Department of Labor will be conducting on-site monitoring visit for Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), from November 18th to 22nd 2024. Two Sub-grantees “Anoka County Job Training Center and Minnesota Valley Action Council” were selected for site reviews.
GPMS vLive Office Hours
https://olderworkers.workforcegps.org/resources/2023/02/17/20/54/GPMS-Office-Hours-vLive
This page will be your resource for all the materials and recordings generated by the GPMS Office Hours series.
Reminders:
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Monthly Financial Status Report (FSR) / Monthly Reimbursement Payment Request (RPR):
- Due 20 days after month end. For example, the June RPR (June 30 end date) is due July 20.
- Report accrued monthly expenditures.
- A monthly RPR/FSR is required even if no funds were expended.
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Quarterly Progress Report (QPR)
- Reports are due 30 days after the end of the quarter. Reports for quarter ending September 2023, are due on October 30. Please report on all active grants
Please email all requests, reports, and technical assistance questions to the Dislocated Worker Federal Adult Programs general email at dwfaprograms.deed@state.mn.us.
 Program Year 2024 and 2025 Local Area Negotiations
We appreciate your partnership during the PY24 (pages 1-2) and PY25 (pages 3-4) local area negotiations!
Confirmation letters were emailed to local area leadership teams on October 11, 2024.
Should you have performance or data entry questions, please contact our general email performanceap.deed@state.mn.us.
 Updated Policies
Trade Adjustment Assistance has been updating policies. Please reference the most current policy in your work and conversations with customers.
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 November 19 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.
 Northern Exposure: Measuring Artificial Intelligence in Minnesota's Economy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool that is revolutionizing how work gets done, which creates concern about its impact on jobs and the people who hold them. How likely is your career field to be impacted by AI? Should you expect AI to change your job significantly? What should business owners and other employers know about their industry’s exposure to AI? While no one knows exactly how AI will impact workers and businesses over the coming years one thing is clear: almost all of us will experience some work-related changes due to this rapidly advancing technology. That’s why it's important to understand the exposure of Minnesota occupations and industries to AI to plan for strategic workforce development, economic planning and policy interventions, and prepare for future impacts of AI on jobs and our workforce.
AI exposure in Minnesota’s economy is just one of the topics explored in the new edition of Minnesota Economic Trends. Every quarter, the Labor Market Information (LMI) Office of the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) publishes research articles that offer insights into important labor market trends.
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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