E1MN Newsletter - August 2026
E1MN Updates
The Department of Human Services invites you to apply for the Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC). MAC members share ideas and experience to help improve Medical Assistance (MA), Minnesota’s Medicaid program. The MAC will also work with the Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC) which includes people who have MA now, had it in the past, or help care for someone who has MA.
Deadline to apply: August 31st, 2026
Success Stories
Brian's Success Story
Over the past two years, the Minnesota Transformation Initiative partnered with Epic Enterprise, PHASE Industries, and STEP Inc. to lead a High Support Needs Demonstration Pilot designed to support job seekers with complex disabilities in pursuing competitive integrated employment. Through technical assistance, best-practice sharing, and hands-on problem-solving, the pilot helped participants explore meaningful work aligned with their strengths and interests.
Meet Brian, one of the pilot participants, and hear about his journey toward meaningful employment. In this Rethinking What Works - Brian's Story success story, Brian shares how employment services and supportive partnerships helped him achieve his goals, overcome challenges, and find success at work. His story highlights the difference that the right supports and opportunities can make.
Events
Webinar: Learn About NEW Apprenticeship Opportunities in Technology for People with Disabilities
Apprenticeship Minnesota at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has awarded a grant to Blind Institute of Technology (BIT) to offer new apprenticeship pathways in technology-related careers for people with any type of disability.
Discover how Blind Institute of Technology (BIT) is helping people with disabilities build in-demand technology skills and move from training to meaningful employment opportunities. During this webinar, we'll explore BIT's Academy to Apprenticeship pathways in Digital Accessibility and Salesforce Administration and how our workforce development model prepares participants for real-world careers. Learn how training, hands-on experience, and employer partnerships come together to create sustainable career pathways for individuals with disabilities while building a stronger pipeline for employers.
When: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Questions: Email candidates@blindit.org
Benefits Planning Learning Community
Then join our quarterly meetings 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. Once you are a member of the learning community register for our upcoming meeting:
When: Thursday, August 20, 2026 2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Register: Benefits Planning Learning Community Quarterly Meeting
MTI Quarterly Training: Leading the Way: How Counties Are Advancing Employment First Across Minnesota
Join the Minnesota Transformation Initiative for an inside look at how six lead agencies have spent the past two years building local capacity, strengthening partnerships, training staff, engaging providers and employers, and creating lasting community change to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Hear about innovative approaches, lessons learned, early successes, and their plans as they build on this work and continue moving Employment First forward across their communities.
Whether you're a provider, case manager, advocate, or community partner, you'll leave with a deeper understanding of why lead agency leadership is so important to creating sustainable employment systems and improving outcomes across Minnesota.
When: Tuesday, September 9, 2026 1:30 p.m.
Register: Leading the Way: How Counties are Advancing Employment First Across Minnesota webinar
Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Conference
We will listen to experts, learn from and alongside one another, reinforce collaborative relationships, and navigate best practices. Join us as we pave the path toward meaningful credentials, workforce readiness, and successful, competitive careers for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Minnesota. The theme of this year's conference, Workforce Ready, underscores a vital connection: how inclusive postsecondary education addresses Minnesota’s workforce needs by preparing individuals with IDD for career success.
The conference is free, but space is limited.
When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. in person
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