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E1MN Newsletter - October 2026
E1MN Updates
Engage, Plan, Find, Keep: A Framework, Not a Required Sequence
Engage | Plan | Find | Keep is a framework developed by E1MN to help professionals understand the waiver and VRS/SSB services available to support people in pursuing competitive integrated employment. The framework describes different types of support based on a person's employment goals, interests, and needs. People do not have to go through each service in sequence.
People can start with the services that best match where they are in their employment journey. They may start at any phase, move between phases, or access different supports as their goals and needs change.
For example, someone who is exploring whether employment is right for them may benefit from Engage phase services to learn about work and consider their options. Someone who already has an employment goal and is ready to pursue a job may start with Find phase services without first going through Engage or Plan phase services. Others may benefit from Plan phase services to identify their employment goals and determine what supports they need.
Natural supports and other community resources also play an important role across all phases. A formal employment service is not the only way to meet a person’s needs in any given phase.
The goal is to meet each person where they are and connect them with the right services and supports at the right time—respecting their choices and helping them pursue competitive integrated employment.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time to recognize the contributions of workers with disabilities and promote inclusive employment opportunities. This year’s theme, Celebrating Value and Talent, highlights the skills and talents people with disabilities bring to workplaces and communities. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has also proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Minnesota. Read the Minnesota proclamation and visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s NDEAM page to watch videos and explore resources for celebrating disability inclusion in the workplace.
Resources
Cultural Perspectives on Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Video Series
Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) created Cultural Perspectives on Living with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, a documentary-style short video series. The series uses the power of storytelling to increase awareness, understanding, and knowledge of how culture and language influence the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and the systems that provide supports and services. The video series features six themes that are important to the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
One of the themes is Meaningful Employment. This theme centers meaningful employment from the cultural perspectives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Check out these videos to explore work, identity, independence, belonging, and opportunity through the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
New Grant Opportunity: PCP RISE (FFY27/28)
The Minnesota Department of Education has opened the PCP Responsive Inclusion in School Environments (PCP RISE) competitive grant. This opportunity supports schools in developing more integrated special education instructional settings using evidence-based person‑centered practices such as the Charting the LifeCourse framework.
Approximately $27,700 is available for one award, with a grant period of January 1, 2027–December 31, 2028. Applications are due November 6, 2026, by 5 p.m. CT. Materials, instructions, and the scoring rubric are available on the grant webpage.
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What is the E1MN Newsletter?
E1MN is Minnesota's state agency partnership to advance Employment First outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities. The state agency partnership evolved from Minnesota's Employment First policy adopted by the Olmstead sub-cabinet in 2014.
The E1MN Newsletter is a way to communicate important information to professionals (school, VRS/SSB, county, provider staff) who support employment outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities.
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