September 2025

CanTrain Grant Awards

Congratulations to those who received awards for the CanTrain Competitive grant! CanTrain provides grants to eligible organizations to create and implement workforce development to provide support, navigation services, and training to individuals leading to a relevant career in the legal cannabis industry.

SFY26-27 Requests for Proposals

The ACP Team was excited to release eight SFY2026-2027 Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in July and August; they can be found on DEED's Competitive Grants and Contracts page. The Southeast Asian Economic Disparities and Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) applications were due August 28, 2025.

The following RFPs are still open:

• 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.
• Drive for 5 - Industry Sector Training; released August 13, 2025, due October 3, 2025.
• Drive for 5 – Job Placement Services; released August 13, 2025, due October 3, 2025.
• Adult Support Services; released August 13, 2025, due October 3, 2025.

We encourage all organizations who may be interested to sign up to receive notifications about newly released RFPs. 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.

Community Reviewers Needed

The Adult Career Pathways team is looking for volunteers to review a small number of proposals from nonprofits, government and tribes to help make funding recommendations to the commissioner. Staff reviewers will review and score proposals on their own schedule within the reviewing timeframe – this may be done on personal or work time, with supervisor approval. If you’re interested, please use this form to sign up.

Grantee Contact Information Required to be Posted on Websites

As determined by the Commissioner of Administration, grant agreements now require grantees to clearly post on the grantee’s website the names of, and contact information for, the organization’s leadership and the employee or other person who directly manages and oversees the grant for the grantee.

If no grantee website exists, the requirement is voided.

Electronic Document Storage Resources

If you need additional guidance on Electronic Document Storage in Workforce One, the following resources are available for you in the “Resources and Guides” section of the ACP Webpage:

• Electronic Document Storage (EDS) Policy
• Workforce One Document Storage Navigation Guide
• ACP/P2P/MFRP Electronic Document Storage Guidance

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 – Fixed the link to the ACP Cost Category Guidance (page 16); Updated the Workforce One section to include the updated EDS requirement (page 43).
• 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

ML first learned about Hmong American Partnership (HAP) and its training programs through social media and friends. Driven by a desire for a meaningful career change and a growing interest in the healthcare field, she chose to pursue a career in Phlebotomy. ML's long-term goal is to return to school to become a Radiology Technician once her youngest child begins school.

Before beginning her training, ML worked closely with her Student Advisor to develop an Individual Employment Plan (IEP) focused on both her educational and career aspirations. Her immediate goals were to successfully complete Phlebotomy training, earn national certification, and secure employment as a phlebotomist.

A Southeast Asian resident of Ramsey County, ML qualified as a low-income individual under the 200% Federal Poverty Guideline. In May 2024, she enrolled in Phlebotomy training through one of HAP’s partners, Saint Paul College. Following her coursework, ML completed the required clinical hours doing venipuncture and capillary draws and, in December 2024, fulfilled all requirements to take the national exam. In January 2025, she passed the National Healthcare Association (NHA) Phlebotomy Certification Exam.

After becoming a certified phlebotomist, ML resumed working with her Student Advisor on job placement and additional training. She obtained her BLS/CPR certification in February 2025 and soon after, received a job offer from Regions Hospital as a Radiology Laboratory Service Technician, earning $23.37 per hour in a full-time position.

Thanks to her determination, hard work, and patience, ML overcame every barrier and reached her educational and employment milestones. After 90 days in her new role, ML shared that although she took a pay cut transitioning from an office job to healthcare, she feels it was worth it. Each step brings her closer to her dream of becoming a Radiology Technician.

ML shared this heartfelt message, “Thank you and HAP for everything you've done to help and motivate me to get me where I am today. I appreciate you all so much.”

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):

Help spread the news! Contact Angela.Liedke@state.mn.us if you want MN RETAIN flyers or materials for your office/participants. Follow MN RETAIN on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Any connections to local employers or local Chambers of Commerce would be greatly appreciated, please contact Margaret.Odanga@state.mn.us with any employer recommendations.

For more information, please visit the MN RETAIN website.

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP):

SCSEP as a partner in American Job Center: Older job seekers often need current information and renewed confidence to navigate today’s job market effectively. By leveraging resources available on the CareerOneStop website, you can help your participants explore their options and approach the job search with greater clarity.

For guidance on how to assist older job seekers in assessing opportunities and navigating the employment landscape, access the CareerOneStop Webinar Recording. 

Reminders:

• Action Items and 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 the Grantee Performance Management System. Timely and accurate updates are required to receive credit for performance outcomes achieved.

Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board (MJSP):

The next board meeting will be held on October 27, 2025.

• Supplemental Funding Requests are due 30 days before the meeting.

Reminders:

Monthly Fiscal Status Report (FSR)/Reimbursement Payment Request (RPR)s are due 20 days after month end. For example: the August FSR/RPR is due September 20.

• Report on accrued monthly expenditures.
• A monthly FSR/RPR is required even if no funders were expended.
• Do not round up on FSR’s (corrective action), report on what your general ledger actual expenses are. Rounding down on an FSR is an Area of Concern when the grant is monitored.
• Quarterly Progress Report (QPR)s are due 30 days after the end of the quarter. Reports for the quarter ending June 2025 were due on July 30. Reports must be completed for all active grants.

Use Dislocated Worker General Email to Reach All Team Members:

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

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

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

Question: What are Incentives?

Answer: Incentives may be given to Adult Career Pathways or Youth program participants for successful achievement of expected outcomes and attaining programmatic milestones. Specific incentive(s) issuance must be outlined within the organizational Support Services and Incentive policy. This must be outlined within the Grantee’s contract as well.

Question: What makes a strong Incentives Policy?

Answer: While requirements may vary, a strong policy should be clear, objective, fair, and aligned with your grant’s infrastructure policy and other program services.

To ensure your policy is thorough and compliant, include the following elements:

• Eligibility Criteria: Who qualifies for incentives?
• Defined Achievement Milestone: What must participants achieve to earn an incentive? (i.e., training completion, credential attainment, job placement)
• Documentation of Achievement: Outline what proof is needed to document the achievement (i.e., transcripts, certificates, employer verification)
• Participant File Documentation: Case notes, WF1 Support Services Tab, Electronic Document Storage (EDS) upload, participant signatures
• Incentive Amounts: Include specific dollar values or ranges for each type of achievement
• Distribution Process: When/how incentives are given; participant acknowledgment and sign off required
• Incentive Limits: Is there a limit? (Ex. Participants may earn up to $150 annually, subject to available funds)
• Types of Incentives Offered: Clearly list allowable items (i.e. $25 gas card, $50 Target card)
• Exclusions: Example: No tickets or gift cards for entertainment-only venues
• Participant must be actively engaged at time of incentive
• Incentives cannot be used as bribes
• Internal Controls Treat gift cards like cash; outline safeguarding procedures

Example policies are available on the DEED website for Youth and Adult Career Pathways programs.

References:

20 CFR § 681.640 Are incentive payments to youth participants permitted?

2CFR Part 200

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

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

Training Program Finder 

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

Each quarter, the Labor Market Information (LMI) Office within the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) releases research articles that explore key labor market developments. The June 2025 edition of Minnesota Economic Trends delivers an in-depth overview of how Minnesota’s labor market and broader economy have changed over the past year and beyond. This annual "state-of-the-state" edition features statewide analyses of job growth and employment trends, along with detailed regional profiles for each of the six designated planning areas.

The Same Old Story? Labor Market Trends in the Metro Area

The Good, the Bad, and the Employed: Central Minnesota

A Resilient Recovery in Northeast Minnesota

The State of the Northwest Minnesota Labor Market: Cooling but Unfaltering

A Decade of Work in Southeast Minnesota

Slowing to Stability in Southwest

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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