August 2025

SFY26-27 Requests for Proposals

The ACP team plans to release RFPs at various times throughout July, August, and September, allowing interested organizations the opportunity to apply for those that align with their program(s). Each RFP release will be followed by an informational webinar; links to the webinars will be provided in the RFP and on the DEED website. We encourage all organizations who may be interested to sign up to receive notifications about newly released RFPs.

The following RFPs have been posted:

• Southeast Asian Economic Disparities Relief Program; released July 7, 2025, due August 28, 2025.
• Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA); released July 7, 2025, due Aug. 28, 2025.
• On-Ramp to Career Pathways – Pathways to Prosperity (P2P); released July 14, 2025, due September 4, 2025.
• Bridge to Career Pathways – Pathways to Prosperity (P2P); released July 14, 2025, due September 4, 2025.
• Individualized Training Pathway – Pathways to Prosperity (P2P); released July 14, 2025, due September 4, 2025.

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.
• For a submission to be considered complete, you must fill out all fields in the application, sign where indicated, and submit all documents listed on the application’s cover page. 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, meaning they must be received in the DEED email inbox, not simply sent, by the deadline. Please plan accordingly, as emails can take some time to get through to the state system.

Grant Application Writing Training Sessions

DEED offered three virtual training sessions designed to support any workforce development organization seeking funding, regardless of grant writing experience. All sessions were recorded and are available on the Helpful Resources Page, along with related resources.

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

RPR Reminders

• If your organization has received an executed amendment or modification, please use the updated RPR template sent with the executed amendment/modification. Please do not alter any formulas or funding amounts on your RPR template.
• When an RPR includes the reversal of previously reported expenditures, please provide a brief explanation in the Comments section (Section 4) of the RPR.

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 – Updated “Items Billed to Support Services” – Clothing expenses (page 18)
• ACP Operations Guide – Added “Entered Post-Secondary Training” exit reason to Exits section (page 22)
• ACP Workforce One User Guide – No updates
• Documentation Needed to Support Participant Eligibility – No updates
• 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.

Participant Success Story

Recent American Indian OIC/Takoda Institute phlebotomy graduate, Jill, secured a job in a hospital lab, just two miles from her home. This achievement is especially meaningful as her journey was filled with challenges and self-doubt. Jill’s instructor, Katie, offered unwavering support, helping Jill recognize her strengths and reassuring her that things would come together – and they did. Jill's path to Takoda began when, after years of studying and taking out student loans for nursing school, she realized the occupation wasn’t the right fit. In search of a new direction, she explored opportunities through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s CareerForce program, which led her to American Indian OIC's Takoda Institute of Higher Education. Discovering Takoda’s free training in healthcare occupations like phlebotomy reignited her passion for the field. Jill handily finished Takoda’s twelve-week job training program and successfully completed a phlebotomy internship with one of its industry partners. AIOIC’s staff, especially Katie Martens and Lloyd Wittstock, played a huge role in her success, offering knowledge, patience, and generosity. She also greatly appreciated Don Lenhart’s support in finding the right job fit. “Your mission to give people a hand up, an opportunity to learn, grow, and earn a living wage, is truly inspiring… In a world that often squelches hope and leaves a person feeling small and pathetic, Takoda reaffirms that person’s humanity. In essence, you minister to the spirit as well as to the mind and body. So, from my spirit to yours, thank you!” Jill’s story is a powerful reminder of how perseverance and support can transform lives. AIOIC is honored to have been part of her journey and are grateful for the chance to help her and so many others achieve their goals.

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

State Dislocated Worker Programs

• Grantees are encouraged to develop and implement a local State DW priority of service and self-sufficiency threshold policies. Examples from City of Duluth will be shared with grantees via e-mail. Grantees are encouraged to review this example and reach out to your coordinator with any questions. 
  
  
• Electronic Document Storage (EDS) Compliance Required
  • As of July 1, 2025, all grantees are expected to have program data uploaded in Workforce One (WF1) EDS. As you know, the monitoring process is a review of WF1 data entry, WF1 EDS, the Monitoring Guide(s), subgrantee contracts, program policies, and financial reconciliation. All file documentation must be uploaded into WF1 EDS to facilitate a comprehensive grant/program review.
• New Additions to Terms & Conditions
  • Please be informed that the Terms and Conditions document attached to Project Specific Plans (PSPs) has been updated as of July 1, 2025. Grantees must review the updated document in its entirety. Additions are included in Sections 2 (Funding Information and Limitations) and 3 (Items Required During the Grant Period). Section 4 (Special Administrative Provisions Required) is new.

Formula Funds – WIOA Adult, WIOA DW and State DW

• PY25FY26 Workplans
  • Grantees should receive approved workplans for authorized signatures soon. DEED is awaiting Federal Notice of Awards.
• Quarterly Progress Report
  • Reports for quarter ending June 2025 were due on July 30, 2025. All active grants should have a report. If you have outstanding reports, please ensure that you submit as soon as possible.
• Monthly Financial Status Report (FSR)/Monthly Reimbursement Payment Request (RPR):
  • Due the 20^th day of the month following the preceding month-end. For example: the July RPR/FSR is due August 20, 2025.
  • Report accrued monthly expenditures.
  • A monthly RPR/FSR is required even if no funds were expended.

Senior Community Services Employment Program

• TEGL 16-24, Program Year 2025 Planning Instructions and Allotments for SCSEP State and Territorial Grantees was published on the Employment and Training Administration’s Advisory Website.
• Minnesota SCSEP PY2025 State Authorized Positions by county were received from the SCSEP National Office on 7/16/25.
• PY25 Workplan and Budget Planning Forms have been distributed to all providers. To ensure timely processing, completed forms must be submitted by 8/1/2025.
• Grantee Performance Management System (GPMS)
  • GPMS e-Newsletters
  • GPMS vLive Office Hours
    • Access the latest materials and recordings for GPMS Office hours.
    • Catch up on the 2025 GPMS Training Events.
    • Remember to log into your GPMS account at least once a month to avoid deactivation of your access.
  • Action Items & Post-Exit Follow-ups:
    • Providers must ensure that all past due Action Items are updated and that all pending and overdue follow-ups are completed and recorded in GPMS. Timely and accurate updates are required to receive credit for performance outcomes achieved.

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board (MJSP)

• The next MJSP Board meeting will be held October 27, 2025.
• Supplemental Funding Requests are due 30 days before the meeting.
  • If you plan to submit a supplemental Funding Request, please send a notice to DEED@state.mn.us as soon as possible

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

• As of July 1, 2025, MN RETAIN is open for enrollment.
  • 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.
  • Note: MN RETAIN participants that may be eligible for and could benefit from State DW services will be referred to their preferred CareerForce location by a member of our team.
  • Counselors enrolling individuals into State DW under eligibility criteria #8: Has a Non-Work-Related Injury or Illness are also highly encouraged to contact RETAIN’s Return-to-Work Case Management team -worker@mnretain.com to explore co-enrollment.
    • Questions about State DW’s Non-Work-Related Injury or Illness eligibility criteria? Please contact info@mnretain.com to connect directly with the RETAIN team or review the desk reference guide.

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

Employment & Training Programs (ETP) is offering

Data Validation Training in September 2025

Register NOW!

Who Should Attend: 

Partners and staff working with federal grant programs including WIOA Adult, WIOA Youth, WIOA Dislocated Worker, or Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA).

Training Agenda: 

• Welcome and Introduction to Data Validation
• Data Validation Process and Schedule Overview
• Best Practices for Successful Data Validation
• Questions/Comments

Available Sessions: 

• Thursday, September 25 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM
• Friday, September 26| 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Register Now: Register for Data Validation Training

Individual registration is required for each participant.

Webinar Link: The webinar link will be sent after registration.

Additional Details:

Registration is unlimited. A recording of the training and all materials used will be shared after the live sessions.

For more information, email: etpdatavalidation.deed@state.mn.us

Key Tips for Grant Compliance

Each month, the Compliance Unit will feature common monitoring findings.

One of the most frequent compliance issues we see is missing Equal Opportunity (EO) forms—but it’s an easy fix with the right attention.

What’s required? Every program participant—regardless of age—must:

• Initial the attestation
• Sign and date both:
• Tennessen Warning ("How We Use Your Personal Information")
• Equal Opportunity is the Law Notice

These forms are required by both state and federal law for all DEED-funded programs. Signatures can be physical or electronic, but they must be dated and uploaded to Electronic Document Storage (WF1) for each participant.

Why it matters: These forms explain how personal data is used (under MN Statute 13.47), define participant rights, and detail how to file a discrimination complaint. They also protect your agency and ensure program integrity.

Use the current version only! Outdated forms are not compliant. Always download the latest versions from the DEED EO page:mn.gov/deed/about/what-guides-us/equal-opportunity/

Working with subgrantees? Make sure your subgrantees know and fulfill this requirement. If they’re enrolling or serving participants, the EO and Tennessen forms must be completed and uploaded—this should also be included in your subaward contracts.

Skipping this step = big risk: Missing forms can lead to compliance findings, disallowed costs, and potential loss of funding.

Stay ahead: Train your staff, check every file, and confirm EO forms are signed, dated, and uploaded into EDS.

Let’s keep our programs compliant and accessible to everyone!

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

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 June 2025 edition of Minnesota Economic Trends offers a comprehensive look at how Minnesota’s labor market and economy have evolved over the past year and beyond. This annual "state-of-the-state" issue from DEED's Labor Market Information (LMI) Office highlights statewide job growth and employment shifts, and also provides more in-depth regional snapshots for each of the six planning areas..

State of Minnesota's Labor Markets: Steady On!

Minnesota's labor markets were stable over the past year, with most indicators showing continued strength and a few indicating slightly slowing employer demand. While both jobs and the labor force have continued to grow over the last year, labor force participation has remained relatively steady, as has the unemployment rate. Black, Indigenous and People of Color workers are driving increases in the labor force. Although both underemployment and long-term unemployment have ticked up over the past year, the monthly JOLTS survey continues to show robust employer demand in Minnesota as does Minnesota's 2024 Job Vacancy Survey.

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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