Minnesota DEI Grant Abstract (Round 5)

The Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) is a three-year federal grant-funded program that improves education, training, employment opportunities, and employment outcomes for people with disabilities who are unemployed, underemployed, and/or receiving Social Security disability benefits. The Minnesota Workforce Investment Board (MWIB) was awarded a Round 3 DEI grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Training Administration. Round 3 will end in 2015. Round 5 was awarded in 2014 and will end in 2017.

Links:

Minnesota Disability Employment Initiative

Minnesota Executive Order 13-01: Olmstead (2013)

“A Sub-Cabinet, appointed by the Governor, consisting of the Commissioner, or Commissioner’s designees, of the following State agencies, shall develop and implement a comprehensive Minnesota Olmstead Plan: (i) that uses measurable goals to increase the number of people with disabilities receiving services that best meet their individual needs and in the most integrated setting, and (ii) that is consistent and in accord with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L. C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999):

a) Department of Human Services;

b) Minnesota Housing Finance Agency;

c) Department of Employment and Economic Development;

d) Department of Transportation;

e) Department of Corrections;

f) Department of Health;

g) Department of Human Rights; and

h) Department of Education.”

Links:

Minnesota EO 13-01: Text (PDF)

MNTAT – Customized Employment & Supported Employment Presentation

This Griffin-Hammis & Associates presentation compares and contrasts Customized Employment and Supported Employment IPS as models for aiding people with disabilities through the employment process. It focuses on the areas of compatibility between the two approaches.

Links:

MNTAT - Customized Employment & Supported Employment Presentation

Minnesota Empower and Encourage Work, Housing, and Independence

“Beginning July 1, 2014, DHS will establish a demonstration project to promote economic stability, increase independence, and reduce applications for disability benefits while providing a positive impact on the health and future of participants. Services provided under the demonstration project will include navigation, employment supports, and benefits planning. These services will be provided to a targeted group of federally funded Medicaid recipients. The demonstration project will be funded with state general funds.”

Links:

Minnesota Empower and Encourage Work, Housing, and Independence
Overview of Programs for People with Disabilities

Minnesota Executive Order 14-14: Providing for Increased State Employment of Individuals with Disabilities (2014)

The Governor’s Executive Order instructs Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) and the State Director for Equal Opportunity to develop a model for recruitment and hiring strategies to increase the employment of people with disabilities. It also requires all state agencies to develop plans for promoting employment opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities, and to begin reporting their progress on a quarterly basis. The Order also directs MMB to develop ways to help employees to more easily update their disability status with their employer.

Executive Order 14-14 is the latest initiative enacted by Dayton’s Administration to demonstrate its commitment to help Minnesotans with disabilities live more independently and improve the quality of their lives.”

Links:

Minnesota EO 14-14: Text (PDF)

Moving Home Minnesota Customized Employment Training

Providers will learn to use defined customized employment tools and techniques to help people with disabilities gain competitive employment positions. They must:

· Develop an individualized approach to employment planning and job development

· Utilize a “one person at a time – one employer at a time” approach

· Provide strategies to individualize and match the strengths, conditions and interests of a candidate to the needs of an employer

· Learn to personalize the employment relationship between a candidate and an employer in a way that meets the needs of both.

Links:

Moving Home Minnesota Customized Employment Training

Minnesota Employment First Policy Approved by the MN Olmstead Sub-Cabinet (2014)

“MN APSE announces the approval of an Employment First Policy by the MN Olmstead Sub-Cabinet on September 29, 2014. The approval of this policy is [a] culmination of years of collaboration, partnership, education, and dedication of a group… united around the idea that people with disabilities are just as valued and have the same rights as other citizens. The idea that employment should be the first option for working aged Minnesotans with disabilities was not always embraced, but today Minnesota stands on the doorstep of real and permanent change by making employment an option for all Minnesotans with disabilities.”

Links:

Minnesota Employment First Policy Approved by the MN Olmstead Sub-Cabinet (2014,PDF)

Minnesota HCBS Transition Plan

Minnesota has developed a Statewide Transition Plan to address new rules governing home and community-based services funded through Medical Assistance. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the new rules in January 2014. The rules outline the mandatory requirements for person-centered planning and home and community-based settings. In general, it is intended to give participants receiving home and community-based services increased choice and integration into the community. CMS requires each state to create a transition plan detailing how the state will come into compliance with the requirements by March 17, 2019.

This document offers the framework Minnesota will use to ensure compliance with the final Rule.

Links:

Minnesota HCBS Transition Plan
Minnesota HCBS Transition Plan (2019, PDF)
Minnesota HCBS Transition Plan (2018, PDF)
Minnesota HCBS Transition Plan (2014, PDF)

Minnesota Executive Order 15-03: Olmstead (2015)

Supporting Freedom of Choice and Opportunity to Live, Work, and Participate in the Most Inclusive Setting for Individuals with Disabilities through the Implementation of Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan; Rescinding Executive Order 13-01

“A Sub-Cabinet, appointed by the Governor, consisting of the Commissioner, or Commissioner’s designees, of the following State agencies, shall implement Minnesota’ s Olmstead Plan:

a) Department of Human Services;

b) Minnesota Housing Finance Agency;

c) Department of Employment and Economic Development;

d) Department of Transportation;

e) Department of Corrections;

f) Department of Health;

g) Department of Human Rights; and

h) Department of Education.”

Links:

Minnesota EO 15-03: Text (PDF)

Minnesota Statute 16C.16: Designation of Procurements from Small Businesses

“The commissioner of administration shall periodically designate businesses that are majority owned and operated by women, persons with a substantial physical disability, or specific minorities as targeted group businesses within purchasing categories as determined by the commissioner. A group may be targeted within a purchasing category if the commissioner determines there is a statistical disparity between the percentage of purchasing from businesses owned by group members and the representation of businesses owned by group members among all businesses in the state in the purchasing category.”

Links:

Minnesota Statute 16C.16: Text