E1MN Updates
VRS Operations Update
The following is a summary of a VRS Stakeholder bulletin sent on January 14, 2025.
VRS is reaching out to provide updated information regarding our fiscal forecast. VRS needs to make some immediate adjustments to our expenditures due to the following factors:
- Significant increases in the number of VRS participants, especially Pre-ETS students, since 2021.
- Significant increases in the overall cost of operating VRS programs, primarily staffing and case services.
- Flat funding.
Strategies to reduce spending:
VRS has already implemented multiple strategies to reduce our spending, but we now must consider additional strategies. We’ve implemented or anticipate implementing the following:
- Review of all VRS operating costs.
- Work towards closing of priority categories 2-4.
- Continue to closely monitor funded services on a monthly basis.
- Continue with the VRS hiring freeze implemented in September of 2024.
- Additional VRS workforce planning.
- Leverage internal VRS staff capacity to provide additional services, as feasible. We will continue to work with community partners to help meet the needs of VRS participants.
- Explore additional partner grant-funded programs and opportunities for participants.
For now, all priority categories remain open. More information and guidance will come out in the future about the implementation of these changes.
For more information, you can view a recording of the February 4, 2025, VRS + CP Forum.
Subminimum Wage Data
The Minnesota Department of Human Service (DHS) published the subminimum wage data report for August 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, on the DHS – Employment First dashboards.
To follow recommendations for the Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages, the 2023 Minnesota Legislature created reporting requirements for home and community-based service (HCBS) providers that pay subminimum wages to people with disabilities.
As of August 1, 2023, HCBS providers must annually report information to DHS about each person they paid subminimum wages. For more information, refer to: Laws 2023, chapter 61, article 1, section 22, and Minn. Stat. §256B.4906.
Olmstead Implementation Office Consultants
Inclusion Consultant Applications are open!
The Olmstead Implementation Office is excited to share that applications are now open for the Inclusion Consultants.
Some high-level details are below. More information and the application are available on the Dendros website.
-
Applications are open through February 24.
-
Dendros will select, train, and support 17 to 23 individuals to work as Inclusion Consultants with lived experience of disability. Lived experience of disability includes people with disabilities, family, friends, and caregivers.
-
The expected start time is March or April 2025. Consultants should be able to commit to two years of service and participation.
-
Pay is $50/hour (20-35 hours per month). Consultants will be independent contractors.
Please share this information with other relevant staff, colleagues, and networks.
Resources
Spectacle Newsletter - January 2025
State Services for the Blind's Spectacle Newsletter provides helpful information for blind, DeafBlind, and low vision teens and those that support them.
Microgrant Partnership with The Arc Minnesota
The Arc Minnesota's Microgrant Program provides funding up to $1500 for people with disabilities to help them reach their housing or employment goals. Applications for a microgrant will open back up on March 3rd at 8 am. More information is available on the Arc Minnesota website.
Events
MN APSE Lunch & Learn
Join MN APSE’s February Lunch & Learn where Dr. Bethany Chase from Rutgers University will discuss Effective Parent Participation for Transition Age Youth. In this workshop, participants will gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the roadblocks to effective parent partnerships and discuss policies and practices that welcome the critical input of families, but that also maintain well-defined boundaries that affirm the professionalism and competence of the worker. This is a great opportunity for professional development at no cost to you or your staff. Managers – send your staff and subject matter experts will provide the training!
When: February 20th, 12pm-1pm
Leveraging Assistive Technology to Support Competitive Integrated Employment Webinar
Representatives from Minnesota State-Operated Community Serves (MSOCS) will discuss how they are leveraging assistive technology (AT) to support competitive integrated employment outcomes for the individuals they work with. Other topics in this webinar include sharing of free trainings; resources for employers and service recipients to obtain AT at free or reduced cost; and testimonials about how AT helps with their job.
When: Thursday February 13, 2025, 1:00-2:30 pm (CDT)
Registration: Leveraging Assistive Technology to Support Competitive Integrated Employment
Quarter One Benefit Planning Learning Community
Want to increase your confidence in talking about work and benefits with the people you support?
Join the Benefit Planning Learning Community and attend the quarterly meeting to get accurate, up-to-date information on benefit policies, access to tools to help navigate and plan, and connect with colleagues doing similar work
This quarter's topics include:
-
Changes to Social Security Overpayment Policies
-
MA-EPD (Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities) program updates
-
New year benefit changes/updates
-
MyVault: new caseload transfer feature
We also want to hear from you about what you've been up to, your goals this year for increasing confidence talking about work and benefits, and success stories (we have a great one about a $40,000 overpayment that turned into a $17,000 underpayment!)
When: February 20, 2025, 2-2:45pm
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.
|
