“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:
~~“Minnesota added three employment services to our home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers on July 1, 2018. We added the following services to the Developmental Disabilities (DD), Community Alternative Care (CAC), Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) and Brain Injury (BI) waivers: • Employment exploration services: Community-based services that introduce people with disabilities to employment options and allow them to explore their options through work experiences. This service helps people to make an informed choice about working in competitive, integrated employment. • Employment development services: Individualized services that help people find competitive, integrated employment or attain self-employment. • Employment support services: Individualized services and supports that help people to maintain community employment in an individual or group arrangement.”
VRS, SSB, IDEA and home and community-based employment services – Interim guidance
~~“This document provides information about: • Authorizing home and community-based services (HCBS) employment services • Background information • Best practices • Additional employment resources.
DHS is working to clarify and replace this interim guidance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), State Services for the Blind (SSB) and the Disability Services Division at DHS. When this happens, DHS will replace this guidance”.
VRS, SSB, IDEA and home and community-based employment services – Interim guidance
~~“This document provides information about: • Authorizing home and community-based services (HCBS) employment services • Background information • Best practices • Additional employment resources.
DHS is working to clarify and replace this interim guidance with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), State Services for the Blind (SSB) and the Disability Services Division at DHS. When this happens, DHS will replace this guidance”.
~~“Mental health is more than the absence of disease. Everyone has a state of mental health, and this can change across the lifespan. Not having a mental illness, does not guarantee good mental health. Similarly, having a mental illness, does not guarantee poor mental health. It includes life satisfaction, self-acceptance, sense of purpose, identity, feeling connected and belonging, empowerment, and resilience, which is the ability to bounce back after set-backs.”
~~“For Youth Ages 24 and Under WIOA requires youth ages 24 and under to have documentation that they completed the following actions before they can earn a subminimum wage: • participated in Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and/or special education transition services and activities while still in high school and eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and • applied for VRS and determined ineligible or found eligible but unsuccessful in competitive, integrated employment and their VRS case was closed, and • received career counseling, information, and referral to resources that could assist in securing competitive, integrated employment.”
Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management (AMH-TCM) and Outcome Reporting
~~“In collaboration with a coalition of AMH-TCM lead agencies and contracted vendors, DHS’ Mental Health Division determined that AMH-TCM agencies will report individual-level data on employment and housing outcomes only at this time. Data will include: 1. Employment-related outcomes which align with the informed choice-employment initiative under Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan. 2. Housing-related outcomes which align with the informed choice initiative under Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan.”
~~“Employment services are essential in assisting reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force. Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) Staff work with veterans throughout Minnesota in navigating access to resources for employment and training programs to find great employment opportunities.
MACV employment specialists provide additional assistance by forging strong relationships with employers throughout the community and to aid veterans with their employment search needs by providing supportive services, resume review & development and career networking events. By working closely with the staff at the Minnesota Workforce centers, a veteran is connected with Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Staff and Local Veterans Employment Representatives, giving the veteran an integrated team to work with as they conduct their employment search.”
