July 2025

Request for Proposal - Growing Careers: Agriculture Workforce Competitive Grant

The ACP team recently developed a new program, Growing Careers: Agriculture Workforce. The request for proposal for this competitive program was released June 2, 2025. This will focus on increasing the agriculture industry through relevant training, paid work experience, and job placement for Dislocated Worker eligible participants.

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

Upcoming Request for Proposals

The Adult Career Pathways team is busy putting final touches on SFY26-27 request for proposals (RFPs). We anticipate releasing RFPs throughout July and August at varying intervals to give interested organizations time to apply for all that may fit within your programs. All releases will be followed by an informational webinar, links to the webinars can be found on DEED’s website and within the RFP itself.

A few reminders as you prepare your submission(s):

• Be sure to read through the Request for Proposals (RFP) in its entirety and review the Application Packet and all associated attachments BEFORE you begin drafting application materials.
• Complete all fields within the application, sign where indicated on the application, and submit all documents listed on the application’s cover page for any additional information required to be considered complete. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• Do not attach marketing materials or include links to web pages. 
• Be mindful of the due date and time. All submissions must be Time Stamp Received which means received into the DEED email box, not the time sent. Please plan accordingly as sometime emails take some time to get through to the state system.

We encourage all organizations who may be interested in applying to sign up to receive notifications about newly released RFPs at DEED’s Competitive Grants and Contracts webpage: https://mn.gov/deed/about/contracts/open-rfp.jsp

File Management Update Reminder: Electronic Document Storage

Effective July 1, 2025, all local state and federal Employment and Training Program Partners must transition from paper (hard) copy participant files to maintaining electronic participant records using Workforce One (WF1, which includes the upload of all required participant source documentation (including all participant eligibility documents, employment plans, and support services documentation) into Electronic Document Storage (EDS) also known as Document Summary within WF1.

Electronic Document Storage Resources

If you need additional guidance on Electronic Document Storage in Workforce One, the following resources are available for you to use:

• Electronic Document Storage (EDS) Policy
• Workforce One Document Storage Navigation Guide
• ACP EDS Document Types

Contracts Ending June 30, 2025 – Reminders

For contracts ending June 30, 2025, please keep in mind the following:

• All data entry must be completed 45 days from the end date of the contract
• All participants must be exited in Workforce One by Tuesday, July 15, 2025. For participants exited after June 30, 2025, you will need to use the exit date of June 30, 2025.
• Your Final Grant Report is due July 30, 2025. Please use the “Final Grant Report Closeout” template found on the ACP Webpage under Forms.

Adult Career Pathways Webpage

Quarterly Provider Meeting notes (Competitive and Drive for 5) are now posted on our webpage. Check out the ACP home page for resources and tools to assist in the management of ACP Grants.

• Cost Category Guidance – No updates
• ACP Operations Guide – Updated the Food Purchases section with examples (page 24)
• ACP Workforce One User Guide – No updates
• Documentation Needed to Support Participant Eligibility – Removed self-attestation on an intake form and a picture of social security card as options for alternative documents to verify social security number.
• ACP Provider Map – Please review and if you are not included, but would like to be, reach out to your Coordinator.

Success Stories

We'd love to learn about the amazing work you're doing and how it is positively impacting the lives of participants throughout the State of Minnesota! To submit a success story, please fill out this brief ACP Success Stories Form.

Grantee Spotlight

The FORward (Faribault On Ramp) program, led by Faribault Adult Basic Education (ABE) and supported by community partners, helps adults explore careers in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, or the public sector. Participants receive training in work readiness, digital literacy, and entry-level industry skills, along with career counseling and other supports.

What does participant success look like in the FORward program? Many individuals enter the program unsure of what they want to do, facing personal challenges and uncertainty about the future. With dedicated support from both a teacher and a navigator, students receive the guidance they need to overcome barriers, set meaningful goals, and imagine future possibilities.

What makes the FORward program work well? Faribault ABE has worked closely with South Central College, Workforce Development, Inc., and Faribault Chamber of Commerce to create a curriculum that provides work readiness skills and prepares students for entry-level jobs in the three industry sectors and/or for continuing their education. Designed for maximum flexibility, the training is held online. To keep students well-supported, the instructor holds regular one on one meetings and in-person office hours.

Faribault ABE works with a variety of employers and recently developed an exciting collaboration with River Bend Nature Center. River Bend has begun leading community efforts to promote diversity in the outdoor arena, both through increased access to the center and by developing career pathways. FORward graduates now have the opportunity to earn credentials in the Outdoor Career Pathway and explore unexpected career options.

What’s next for FORward graduates? Some participants enter the FORward program already employed and, after earning additional certificates, receive a promotion and/or wage increase. Others exit into new jobs or continue their education through the “Ability to Benefit” program at South Central College, which allows adults to earn both college credit and an Adult Diploma credit simultaneously. In the last year, FORward graduates helped Faribault Public Schools fill all open paraeducator positions.

FORward is a model of what’s possible when education, community, and workforce partners come together. The program prepares adults for meaningful careers, supports employers, and strengthens the Faribault workforce community.

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

WIOA Adult and WIOA Dislocated Worker Programs

• PY22 reallocations must be expended by June 30, 2025. See performance related updates below for grants that require attention.
• PY23 grants – must also be expended by June 30, 2025. Unspent funds will be reallocated to Local Areas that have spent out their PY23 funds.
• PY24 Carry Forward Requests – 15 requests have been received and are being processed. Approvals will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.
• PY25 grant contracts – 30/32 planning documents have been received and are being processed. Please send in your planning documents as soon as possible. Providers will have access to funds as soon as contracts are fully executed and funding streams set up in WorkforceOne (WF).

State Dislocated Worker Programs

• PY23/SFY24 Formula Grants – must also be expended by June 30, 2025. Unspent funds will be returned to the Workforce Development Fund.
  • IMPORTANT NOTICE: DEED is granting a one-time exemption for SFY24 formula grant funds. All grantees with remaining SFY24 funds are allowed to reallocate funding within and across the cost categories (Administrative, Career, Training, Support). Read more on the flexibility to move funds across cost categories.
• PY24/SFY25 Carry Forward Requests – 11 requests have been received and are being processed. Approvals will be sent out in the upcoming weeks.
• PY25/SFY26 grant contracts – Planning documents are due by Friday, June 27, 2025. Please send it in sooner if possible. Providers will have access to funds as soon as contracts are fully executed and funding streams set up in WorkforceOne (WF). This grant is effective July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.
• State Dislocated Worker Category Nine Eligibility Clarification – Note that a documented job loss is required for all participants, even if the person is now working in what is considered a stopgap/interim employment. Read additional guidance on the State Dislocated Worker Category Nine Eligibility Clarification.

State Dislocated Worker Program Re-Entry Pilot Grant

• Authorized by the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board (MJSP) in 2023, the funding has served 591 returning citizens and expended $2.5 Million.
• This pilot grant will be ending June 30, 2025, with no extensions.
• Closeout Procedures: A step-by-step PowerPoint outlining the closeout process, along with a quick-reference one-pager summarizing the key tasks for smoothly closing out participants was shared at the monthly grantee call.
• A closeout/ Final Quarter Progress Report (QPR) template will be sent to providers by June 25. The Final QPR will be due July 31, 2025.
• Thank you for all our partners for the good work done through this grant.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)

• DOL has notified states that the PY25 funding TEGL for SCSEP will be released later than previously anticipated and is gathering information on the impact of the late release. If you have not done so, please reach out to your coordinator with information on the following:
  • Please send us how the late release of the Notice of Award will impact your organization and
  • Plans you may have in place for participants (unpaid leave, break in service, etc.).
• The PY 2025 Workplan and Budget Forms, have been sent to all providers. Providers should start gathering the necessary information and prepare their funding renewal applications. For more information and resources, visit the SCSEP webpage.

Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN)

• RETAIN is resuming enrollment at the end of June. Eligible individuals include those who:
  • Live and work in Minnesota
  • Have worked within the past 6 months
  • Have an injury or illness that affects work or an upcoming surgery or procedure that will impact work.

              Please refer participants for RETAIN eligibility determination to RETAIN’s Return-to-                    Work Case Management team - worker@mnretain.com.

• Individuals may also be eligible under Category Eight of State DW. The desk reference guide may be a helpful resource, or please contact info@mnretain.com to connect directly with the RETAIN team.

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board Meeting 

• The next board meeting will be held on October 27, 2025. Please reach out to the team with an intent to submit a Supplemental Funding Request at your earliest. Note that these requests are due 30 days before the Board meeting.

Policies and Guidance:

• Participant’s immigration status changes while they are enrolled in the program
  • Participants must be exited if they no longer meet the eligibility requirement of the program (i.e. Right to Work).
  • However, it is recommended to use the “Holding” activity in Workforce One if the participant is awaiting an updated Right to Work documents. This activity can be open for 90 days.
  • If the participant needs to be exited due to not having the Right to Work, they should exit the program by following these steps:
    • Close all activities on the case with the date they were deemed to not have the Right to Work.
    • Open the “Pending Exit, Other” activity with the date they were deemed to not have the Right to Work.
    • Case note the situation.
    • Use the “Found Ineligible” Exit Reason.
  • Impacts to performance:
    • The participant will eventually fall into performance cohorts based on their exit date.
    • If no wages are found, they will be a negative in employment measures.
    • If they attended training during their enrollment period but do not have a credential/MSGs captured they will be a negative in those measures too.

Updated CLIMB Policy Now Published

• The updated Converting Layoffs Into Minnesota Businesses (CLIMB) policy is now published. The CLIMB activity supports participants interested in starting or growing a business, using Minnesota State Dislocated Worker Program funds. The policy includes updated formatting, references, and additional guidance. At the bottom of the policy page, employment counselors can also access related documents required for steps necessary prior to entering a CLIMB activity on the participant's record in Workforce One (WF1). Relevant documents listed are:
  • “How Ready Am I to Start a New Business?" Assessment
  • “Lean Business Plan” Summary
  • “Business Assistance Registration” Form
  • CLIMB Desk Reference
  • CLIMB Checklist
  • Sample Individual Employment
  • Sample Lean Business Plan
  • Dislocated Worker and Federal Adult Programs (DWFAP) Terms and Definitions

         In addition, the CLIMB Toolkit for Employment Counselors has added resources to assist           participants in their entrepreneurship journey. The toolkit can be found on the Office of           Dislocated Worker and Federal Adult Programs (DWFAP) web page.

         Again, many thanks to the field for participating in CLIMB Listening Session on February           28, and for providing feedback and valuable insights throughout the process. We                       appreciate your partnership and all that you do to help Minnesotans.

 Reminders

• Quarter Progress Narrative Reports (QPR): QPRs for all active grants are due by the 30th of each month following the end of the quarter:
  • October 30th, January 30th, April 30th, and July 30th.
• Requests for Reimbursements (RPRs) or Financial Status Reports (FSRs): RPRs or FSRs are due on the 20^th of every month following the month of expenditure. These are required even if they do not have any expense claims for that period.

You can find additional information and resources on the Office of Dislocated Worker and Federal Adult Programs website.

Please email all requests, reports, technical assistance questions, etc. to the Dislocated Worker Federal Adult Programs general email at DWFAPrograms.DEED@state.mn.us.

Program Year (PY) 2023 Allocation and PY2022 Reallocation Closeout for the Dislocated Worker (DW) and WIOA Adult (AD) Programs.

Reminder: PY2023 allocations and PY2022 reallocations will be expiring on June 30, 2025.

All Workforce One (WF1) cases showing these funding streams within an open activity will need your attention.

If needed in an alternative format, please contact performanceap.deed@state.mn.us

If needed in an alternative format, please contact performanceap.deed@state.mn.us

If needed in an alternative format, please contact performanceap.deed@state.mn.us

If the participant will continue receiving a service currently supported by PY2023 allocations or PY2022 reallocations after June 30, 2025, a new activity will need to be opened for each continuing service the participant will move forward receiving.

Reminder: All Dislocated Worker and WIOA Adult program year formula allocations (small layoff grants/WIOA Adult allotments) remain active for two years.

• PY2023 = July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025
• PY2024 = July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026
• PY2025 = July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027

This means, their new activity will need a PY2024 or PY2025 formula grant selected within them depending on your agencies budget. PY2025 allocation funding streams will be activated as soon as those contracts are executed through DEED’s Fiscal team.

IMPORTANT PY23 ALLOCATION & PY22 REALLOCATION WF1 CLOSEOUT INFORMATION

• All activities with a PY2023 allocation or PY22 reallocation selected within them cannot have a start date after June 30, 2025. They must also have an end date no later than June 30, 2025.
• If any participant will continue receiving a service captured in an activity that is currently showing a PY2023 allocation or PY22 reallocation supporting that service financially, that activity needs to be copied within the participant’s WF1 activity detail screen.
  • The new activity will need a start date of July 1, 2025.
  • An active funding source (PY2024 or PY2025) will need to be selected within them as the grant financially supporting the continued service.
• To help in this funding source transition
  • Mohamed Farah will mass close all currently open PY2023 funded activities with an end date of June 30, 2025, which means you will only need to open/copy the old activities.
    • If you want to close the old activities yourself with a date no later than 06/30/2025, that is perfectly fine.
    • If you choose not to close them yourself, it will be taken care of for you.
      • This mass activity closure will begin August 1, 2025.
    • If there are cases without open activities on record showing an active grant as the funding source, the mass closure will not work for those cases.
      • Any cases that show they cannot be included in the PY2023 activity closure will be emailed to the management team for the COFFR funding the case.
        • This communication will include directions on how the case manager will need to correct their data.
      • Shortly after July 1, 2025, new funding streams will be added to your dropdown lists for PY2025 allocations.
        • The date these new funding streams will be available is dependent on when PY2025 contracts are in place.
          • Your management teams will be alerted as soon as your agency’s PY2025 funding streams are available in WF1.

Requests for Technical Assistance: Please email the performance team’s general email address with your technical assistance needs: performanceap.deed@state.mn.us.

Please email all performance or data entry questions, to the performance team’s general email address at performanceap.deed@state.mn.us.

Gratitude:

Thank you for your work and collaboration with the TAA team! We value your partnership and appreciate your continued work to help TAA eligible individuals to access services and obtain their educational/employment goals.

Should you need assistance from the TAA Supervisor, please contact Amy Carlson at amy.carlson@state.mn.us.

Update on Possible Reauthorization of TAA:

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2025 was sent to the Financial Committee by Senate on April 10, 2025.

• This bill proposes reauthorization of the TAA program through 2031.
• It is co-sponsored by 11 Senators, including MN Senators Klobuchar and Smith.

TAA Informational Meetings:

• The Great 2025 TAA Outreach Events started in April 2025 and continued throughout June 2025.
  • We truly appreciate our great partnership with these local areas who graciously open their doors to host these important outreach events:
    • Central MN Jobs and Training Services locations in Hutchinson, Monticello, and Cambridge.
    • JET locations in Virginia and Hibbing.
    • Rural CEP location in Bemidji.
    • SE Workforce Development Inc. location in Rochester.
    • Dakota/Scott Counties location in Shakopee.
    • The City of Duluth.

    Next Up: 

If needed in an alternative format, please contact deed.taa@state.mn.us

• If you have any questions about these events, please contact the TAA team at deed.taa@state.mn.us.

Petitions

Petitions can still be filed, but DOL’s investigation is paused until program restoration or reauthorization. Here’s the link to check the status of petitions with U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.doleta.gov/tradeact/petitioners.

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

Key Tips for Grant Compliance

Each month, the Compliance Unit will feature common monitoring questions from the field.

Data Validation: Are You Doing It Right—or Just Hoping You Are?

Strong data practices don’t just support compliance—they’re essential for smooth operations, accurate reporting, and positive outcomes for both staff and participants. This month, we’re focusing on a few foundational habits that make a big difference:

1. Dates Matter
   From enrollment to exit, services to outcomes, dates appear across multiple documents and within Workforce One (WF1) and they must align. Double-check that your dates match supporting records and case notes. A few extra minutes now can save hours during monitoring. 
   
   
2. Case Notes Should Tell the Story
   Use case notes to clearly document key moments:
   • Eligibility determinations
   • First services
   • Changes in services
   • Trainings and support services
   • Credential attainment

            Use descriptive subject lines, specify how eligibility was met, and make sure dates line              up with documentation. When in doubt—case note it! 

3. Keep Documents Clean and Consistent
   Organization matters:
   • Use standardized file names (e.g., LastName_FirstName_DocType_Date)
   • Confirm legibility and accuracy before uploading
   • Upload credential training source document into the Workforce One (WF1) Credential tab
   • Record Measurable Skills Gains (MSGs) in the MSG tab to ensure accurate performance tracking. 

4. Schedule Data Entry Time Like It Matters (Because It Does)  
   • Consistency is key. Block off regular time—weekly or monthly—to enter data and review files. This helps prevent backlogs, catch errors early, and ease audit prep.
   • Accurate data is no accident—it’s built through consistent habits and daily attention to detail. Putting in the effort now protects you, your participants, and your program in the long run.

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

Our website is now CareerForce.MN.gov

Remember: you can continue to use materials with the old web address that are already printed. We'll have redirects from CareerForceMN.com in place at least until early 2027. 

June 16: soft launch of new Post-a-Job platform for employers

The new job posting platform for employers is now accessible on the Post-a-Job page on CareerForce.MN.gov. Employers wanting to register to post jobs on the state labor exchange will use the new Post-a-Job platform. Employers who  have existing accounts on MinnesotaWorks.net may continue to use MinnesotaWork.net for now. Jobs posted on the Post-a-Job platform will be searchable on CareerForce.MN.gov, USNLx.com and associated sites, other state and federal job sites, veteran- and disability-focused job sites, and LinkedIn Jobs. MinnesotaWorks.net remains operational until early 2026.

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

Every quarter, the Labor Market Information (LMI) Office of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) publishes research articles that offer insights into important labor market trends. The most recent issue of Minnesota Economic Trends includes articles that explore the contributions of foreign born workers and estimates of undocumented immigrants in Minnesota's workforce, describe our work helping high school students think about post-graduation plans, and introduce two new data tools to help with this, one that helps students choose a major based on a career of interest and the other that helps students be realistic about the cost of college compared to earnings post-graduation. We also highlight the recent gains in self-employed workers in the state.

A Surge in Self-Employment

Self-employment in Minnesota has surged over the past decade, with nearly 445,000 nonemployer businesses generating over $25 billion in 2022, reflecting a growing shift toward independent work across industries like professional services, transportation, and real estate. While some sectors such as construction and personal services saw declines, others—especially transportation and tech-related consulting—grew rapidly, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of solo entrepreneurs in the state's evolving economy. For jobseekers and workers who aren’t interested in the traditional employer relationship, self-employment may hold the key to unlocking economic security.

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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