A primary strategy of the E1MN partnership is to align policies, programs, funding, and roles across our programs. In 2014, federal guidance was issued that clarified which of our programs can pay for what employment services. As a result of this guidance, people must now move between employment services that span multiple state agencies, which can be complicated for all involved. The E1MN partnership emerged as a way to make these changes easier to navigate and help the system make more sense. 

In order to better align our systems and increase our ability to provide a seamless and timely employment support system, we will be conducting an Interagency Employment Supports Alignment Study. This study came out of a recommendation from the Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages. Phase 1 of the study will focus on alignment of service rates, provider enrollment processes, and monitoring standards. The goal of this first phase is to make it easier for providers to be dually enrolled and reduce barriers related to billing, enrollment, contracting, and rates. Phase 2 of the study will address eligibility processes and people’s lived experience transitioning between employment services. The goal of this second phase will be to simplify processes for moving between services and address barriers that delay or disrupt people’s access to employment supports. 

We are in the process of selecting a vendor for Phase 1 of the study. We expect to have a vendor selected by January 31st, 2025. Once the vendor is in place, we expect Phase 1 of the study to last approximately 6 months. This phase will include site visits and interviews with many different employment service provider agencies throughout the state to understand pain points, challenges, and opportunities for system improvement. After Phase 1, we will begin Phase 2 of the study, where there will be additional opportunities for people across a variety of roles to get involved and give feedback. More information about Phase 2 will be shared in the future.