November 2025
 SFY26-27 Requests for Proposals Updates
The Adult Career Pathways (ACP) Team was excited to release nine SFY2026-2027 Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in June, July and August; Growing Careers; Agriculture Sector Training, Southeast Asian Economic Disparities, WESA, Pathways to Prosperity: On Ramp, Bridge to Career Pathways, and Individualized Training Pathway, Drive for 5: Industry Sector Training, Drive for 5: Job Placement, and Adult Support Services. The team is in the process of reviewing applications. We anticipate award announcements in the upcoming months.
The CanTrain program request for proposal was released Monday October 13, 2025, for eligible organizations to train people for work in the legal cannabis industry. Organizations seeking funding must be capable of providing training relevant to the legal cannabis industry, particularly for individuals facing barriers to education or employment.
- Eligible organizations may include educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, community groups (with the legal structure eligible for contracting and receiving payments), units of local government, labor organizations that represent cannabis workers in the state, or partnerships between different types of organizations. Applications are due December 2, 2025 (time-stamped received by 5:00 pm CST).
SFY26-27 Adult Direct Appropriations
The ACP team facilitated a Direct Appropriations onboarding event in September, thank you to those that attended! The session included information about program components and requirements, Workforce One, fiscal responsibilities, and monitoring. The recording has been posted to the ACP webpage and the PowerPoint slides will be posted in the coming weeks. If you have questions, please contact your ACP Coordinator.
SFY26-27 Important Changes
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.
Privacy Notice/Equal Opportunity is the Law
All participants must be provided with a Privacy Notice/Equal Opportunity document. Grantees must:
- Fill in the Local Equal Opportunity Officer section of the document.
- Provide the Privacy Notice/Equal Opportunity document to each participant.
- Document that each participant has received a copy of the Privacy Notice/Equal Opportunity document in Workforce One by checking the box at enrollment.
ACP/P2P Performance Summary Report
A new Workforce One summary report will be available for SFY26-27 contracts that will provide the number of participants enrolled, training services received, and exits to employment or to post-secondary education. The report will compare Workforce One actual numbers to the planned outcomes based on the grant contract. The report also calculates the percentage of outcomes achieved.
Reminder: Naming Conventions for Electronic Document Storage
Please consult the “Workforce One Document Storage Navigation Guide” and the “ACP/P2P/MFRP Electronic Document Storage Guidance” (both found in the Resources and Guides section of the ACP Webpage) to ensure you are using the correct Document Type, Document Name, and User Defined Document (Naming Convention) for documents being uploaded to Workforce One’s Electronic Document Storage.
Adult Career Pathways Webpage
Check out the ACP home page for resources and tools to assist in the management of ACP Grants.
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
Michael’s journey to success began in an unlikely place: prison. In 2021, while incarcerated at Minnesota’s Togo Correctional Facility and facing the consequences of years of addiction, he resolved to rebuild his life and reconnect with his family. Encouraged by the facility’s transitions coordinator, he enrolled in American Indian OIC’s (AIOIC) reentry education and employment program before his release. Michael joined the program eager to start fresh. With guidance from AIOIC staff members Angee and Jack, he received the tools and encouragement he needed to move forward. Regaining his driver’s license was the first crucial step toward independence. From there, he completed training at AIOIC’s Takoda Institute, refreshed his résumé, and attended career fairs.
With Jack’s continued support, Michael secured full-time work as a welder and fabricator: the same trade he held before addiction disrupted his life. More than a year later, he enjoys steady hours, strong benefits, and a workplace that values him. After attending several career fairs and with Jack’s support, Michael found full-time work as a welder and fabricator, a field he was employed in before addiction took its hold. Now, more than a year into his new job, Michael enjoys great benefits, stable hours, and a steady paycheck, all while working for a company that values him. Now four years sober, Michael’s relationship with his children is stronger than ever, and challenges that once seemed impossible now feel manageable. His advice to others considering AIOIC’s reentry program: “Go for it. The staff is helpful, understanding, and nurturing. What may seem overwhelming can be overcome with the right motivation and the right people by your side. Even on your worst days, it’s better than your best days before. Don’t give up.”
Today, Michael is thriving. He is mentoring an engineering intern at his company and setting his sights on homeownership. His story is a powerful reminder that with second chances, determination, and the support of caring people and organizations like AIOIC, rebuilding a life is possible and transformative.
Please contact your Adult Career Pathways Grant Coordinator directly with any questions regarding Adult Career Pathways Programs.
 Formula Funds – WIOA Adult, WIOA DW and State DW
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PY25 2nd Allotments: The Notice of Award (NOA) for 2nd allotments has been received from the Department of Labor (DOL), processing of second allotments is ongoing. Providers should look out for those in the next few weeks.
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PY23 Reallocation: Unspent WIOA Adult and DW funds will be reallocated in November. Please be on the lookout for communication from the program team.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
To strengthen communication and improve service delivery, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is implementing a new centralized communication process effective November 1, 2025.
As part of this update, all SCSEP-related communications including inquiries, Quarter Progress Narrative Report (QPR) submissions, and meeting invitations, will be required to be directed to our new shared mailbox: SCSEP.DEED@state.mn.us
This change is designed to enhance our responsiveness and ensure that all partner communications are received, tracked, and addressed in a timely and coordinated manner.
The new shared inbox improves communication coverage by ensuring messages aren’t missed during staff absences or transitions. It increases efficiency by streamlining coordination, speeding up response times, and simplifying scheduling through a shared calendar. It also enhances accountability by centralizing all requests and reports in one place, helping ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
We kindly ask all partners to update your contact records and begin using the new email address for all SCSEP-related correspondence starting November 1, 2025. If you have any questions about this transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to SCSEP.DEED@state.mn.us.
SCSEP 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.
- Grantee Performance Management System (GPMS):
Retaining Employment and Talent after Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN)
As MN RETAIN continues to enroll ill/injured individuals, some may benefit from workforce services and training. The MN RETAIN Mayo Clinic team will complete a referral form and submit it to MN RETAIN staff at DEED Headquarters. That referral form will indicate the CareerForce location of their choice. The manager of the local area's Dislocated Worker program will receive an email from MN RETAIN staff at DEED with the participants' referral details.
Our request is for the local area manager to forward the referral email to an available Dislocated Worker counselor to proceed with intake procedures, using the referral form as proof of eligibility into the State Dislocated Worker (eligibility category of Non-Work-Related Illness or Injury). MN RETAIN staff at DEED Headquarters will continue communicating with the assigned counselor to provide guidance and ensure the transfer of information is complete for data entry into Workforce One.
REMINDER: Please treat a referral from MN RETAIN to State DW as you would any other walk-in referral.
Please note, the local area manager will continue to be included in all communication from DEED to their staff. This desk reference guide may be a helpful resource, or please contact info@mnretain.com to connect directly with the RETAIN team.
Reminders:
- Monthly Financial Status Report (FRS)/Monthly Reimbursement Payment Request (RPR):
- Due the 20th day of the month following the preceding month-end. For example, the September RPR/FSR (September 30 end date) is due October 20.
- Report accrued monthly expenditures.
- A monthly RPR/FSR is required even if no funds were expended.
- Quarterly Progress Report:
- Reports for Quarter ending September 2025 are due on October 30. Please report on all active grants.
Updated Release and Consent Form
When sharing success stories, please ensure your participants sign the recently updated Release and Consent Form. The form releases DEED as well as grantees, sub grantees and US DOL. The form can be accessed here: Updated Release and Consent Form
Electronic/Digital Signatures
Consistent with the Data Validation Policy, electronic signatures are acceptable for participants. Electronic/digital signatures from the participant may include an email, text, or unique online survey response may be considered an electronic signature or verification; but it must be participant generated and traceable to the participant.
Practical Strategies for Effective Workplans, Budgets, and Outreach
Looking for ways to build stronger programs and reach more Minnesotans? Explore Practical Strategies for Effective Workplans, Budgets, and Outreach for helpful guidance and information.
Additional information and Resources
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.
 General Ledger: What It Is (and What It Isn’t)
Definition: A general ledger (GL) is the central recordkeeping system where an organization’s financial transactions are recorded. It serves as the foundation for accurate financial reporting and grant management.
Why Is the General Ledger Important During Monitoring?
The general ledger is used to reconcile both the monthly and cumulative grant expenditures reported in columns C and D of the RPR/FSRs.
A system-generated general ledger is required and must include:
- Clearly assigned grant identifier(s) to track all grant-related transactions.
- Detailed expenditure records by chart of accounts (e.g., wages, supplies, rent).
- A clear distinction between revenue and expenditures.
- Transaction descriptions that are color-coded or otherwise categorized to match cost categories.
- Accurate dates indicating when costs were incurred.
What a General Ledger Is Not
🚫 A handmade list of expenditures for the grant
🚫 A batch of receipts submitted to the monitor
🚫 A document compiled from multiple sources (payroll processor, accounting system, CRM, etc.)
🚫 A trial balance, balance sheet, or profit and loss statement – it must show actual expenditures
🚫 Something only fiscal staff manage – program staff also play a key role in confirming expenditures are allowable and properly allocated
What a General Ledger Is
✅ Tracks each grant and program year separately (troubleshoot with your monitor if your accounting system is configured differently)
✅ Maintains detailed records of what is included in each RPR/FSR and uses Section 4 on the RPR/FSR to note any special circumstances
✅ Includes a detailed description with each journal entry
✅ Helps identify discrepancies early by allowing you to spot-check spending, reconcile expenditures, and verify accuracy before monitoring
⚠️ Caution:
There may be a delay between when a cost is incurred and when it appears in the GL. For example, a cost recorded in July may have been incurred before the grant period began — and therefore would not be allowable.
If you have questions about Compliance content, please email shannon.rolf@state.mn.us.
 Insights from the frontlines: A New Tool Reveals a Shifting Labor Market
Staff at DEED are always seeking new ways to collect data, analyze current labor market conditions and serve Minnesotans better. In partnership with Local Workforce Development Board leaders and staff and community-based workforce development professionals, DEED staff conducted a survey of hundreds of workforce development professionals in the CareerForce system. The CareerForce system is made up of DEED staff, Local Workforce Development Board staff and community partners across Minnesota. These frontline workforce development professionals in the CareerForce system serve thousands of job seekers across Minnesota every week, so they are able to offer a great sense of the current job search environment across the state as well as comparisons to the job search environment a year ago. A survey of job seekers themselves would likely not be able to provide such an objective comparison over the year, nor would it be possible to consistently survey job seekers after they find employment.
The collected survey results are transformed into an interactive data visualization that allows staff, partners and the public to see the labor market through the eyes of those who work directly with job seekers. Conducted twice each year, the survey will build a time series that not only tracks the health of Minnesota's labor market but also sheds light on emerging trends and shifts affecting job seekers in real time. Results from the Job Search Experience Survey collected in July 2025 indicate people utilizing the CareerForce system in Minnesota to look for work are having a harder time finding employment now compared to last summer. Of the 310 CareerForce staff and partner survey respondents, 294 have worked with job seekers for at least the entire past year. Of those 294, 33 (11%) said it was somewhat easier or much easier for the job seekers they serve to find employment, 86 (29%) believed it was about the same and 174 (59%) said it was somewhat harder or much harder to find employment compared to a year ago.
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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