Minnesota Momentum: Aligning Opportunities And resources
~~“Minnesota Momentum builds off previous Governor’s Workforce Development Board reports directed to Minnesota lawmakers outlining the imminent crisis facing the workers, employers, and educational institutions in our state due to a labor shortage in critical industries. Employers are finding that job applicants often have inadequate training, education, and career experience to fill vacancies. And, this reality makes it difficult to fulfill the State Vision of a family-sustaining wage. This report offers recommendations on strategies and actions to confront socio-economic challenges, business concerns, and the tightening of funding at the state and federal level.”
“The Minnesota Low Incidence Projects are designed to assist school districts across the state in fulfilling federal requirements in the areas of implementation of the IDEA, professional development and insuring the availability of high quality staff in the low incidence areas of Special Education. Technical assistance is offered as a regular function of the project.
Low Incidence refers to disability areas that occur rarely or in low numbers. In Minnesota there are seven disability categories that are considered low incidence: Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), DeafBlindness (DB), Developmental Cognitive Disabilities(DCD), Physically Impaired (PI), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Vision Impairment (VI), and Severe Multiple Impairment (SMI).”
~~“Meeting your MFIP Employment Services training needs A training needs assessment survey is being developed to allow DHS to prioritize and make informed decisions about the resources and training offered to you. Keep your eye out for this opportunity!”
Minnesota DHS Awards Grants For People With Disabilities (2017)
“The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is giving nearly a $1.8 million boost to service providers to help find new ways to promote integration of people with disabilities in their communities.
The 10 grants DHS is awarding is the first part of funding under state legislation for DHS to provide incentives for providers to achieve positive outcomes for people with disabilities, including employment and living in integrated settings.
“We are excited providers are innovating to make sure people with disabilities have opportunities to fully participate in their communities as workers and engaged citizens,” said DHS Assistant Commissioner Claire Wilson. “We hope to learn new, promising ways to help people with disabilities realize their life goals.”
Centers for Independent Living in the Twin Cities metro, Central Minnesota and Southeastern Minnesota will receive $149,962 to launch a civic engagement training and mentoring program to help 120 people with disabilities be effective self-advocates.”
Minnesota Dept. of Administration: A System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR)
“A System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR) is located within the Minnesota Department of Administration. STAR’s mission is to help all Minnesotans with disabilities gain access to and acquire the assistive technology they need to live, learn, work and play. The Minnesota STAR Program is federally funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration For Community Living in accordance with P.L. 117-263, Division E: 21st Century Assistive Technology Act.”
“The Mission of Transition Plus is to provide educational services for students ages 18-22 with differing abilities and assets. We focus on meeting transition needs in post-secondary education and training, employment, and independent living to promote a successful transition from high school to adult life.”
Upcoming workshop offers accessibility training and tools for members of disability community
“St. Paul, Minn. Three of the state’s leading disability advocacy organizations are joining forces to conduct a hands-on workshop to equip people with disabilities, advocates, and family members with tools, guidance, and a greater understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The workshop will help participants develop effective ways to address building access and compliance issues.”
“In February 2015, McBee sought medical attention for severe pain in her hands, back, and neck, including numbness in her hands and arms. In March 2015, McBee’s doctor gave her a ten-pound lifting restriction due to disc narrowing, a bulged disc, and bone spurs in her vertebrae. On March 10, 2015, McBee informed her supervisors at Team of her lifting restriction, who then instructed her to discuss the restriction with human resources. McBee’s supervisors placed her on a machine that produced parts weighing less than ten pounds, and she finished her shift. The next day, McBee met with human resources to discuss possible accommodations. Team terminated McBee on March 12, 2015, due to concerns relating to her medical restriction.
[…]
D E C I S I O N
The district court did not err in dismissing McBee’s MHRA and MWCA claims. Because McBee’s medical restrictions rendered her unqualified for her position with or without reasonable accommodation, her employment posed a serious threat of harm to herself and her coworkers, Team’s successful serious-threat defense precludes her reprisal claim, and she did not engage in conduct protected by the workers’ compensation act, we affirm.
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Announces 10 New Training Projects
~~“The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded workforce development grants totaling $1.5 million to train 2,919 workers under the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership (MJSP).
“These training grants upgrade employee skills and effectively make Minnesota businesses more competitive and desirable places to work.”
Under the program, educational institutions and businesses work together to secure MJSP funding. Businesses initially meet with an accredited educational institution to explain their training needs and to learn options. Once they agree on a plan, the educational institution contacts DEED to determine eligibility for a grant.”
“The Minnesota Department of Human Services offers disability services innovation grants. These grants promote innovative ideas to improve outcomes for people with disabilities. Funded projects include new ways to help people with disabilities in Minnesota:
-Achieve integrated, competitive employment
-Live in the most integrated setting
-Connect with others in their communities
During state fiscal year 2018, approximately $2 million will be available. Applications are now closed for this round of grants. DHS anticipates it will award contracts to four to 10 qualified responders. The maximum award will be $500,000.
DHS is distributing the innovation grants in three parts:
