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DSD eList announcement

Date: June 11, 2024
To: Counties and tribal nations that administer disability waivers
From: DHS Disability Services Division
Purpose: To announce a grant opportunity to support counties and tribal nations to build their system capacity to improve competitive, integrated employment outcomes for people who receive disability services
Application deadline: July 12, 2024
Contact: DSD.EmploymentFirst@state.mn.us

Employment First Capacity-Building Grant Program

DHS is accepting applications for grants to support counties, county coalitions and tribal nations that administer disability waivers. These grants will increase competitive, integrated employment outcomes for people who use home and community-based service (HCBS) waivers and intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities (ICF/DD) services.

Selected grantees will receive funding and technical assistance from the University of Minnesota – Minnesota Transformation Initiative (MTI) to develop and execute a strategic plan to build their capacity to help people with disabilities explore, plan, find and maintain meaningful employment.

Grantees will work with MTI to: 

· Assess their current landscape of employment for people with disabilities.

· Generate ideas for their desired future state.

· Develop a technical assistance (TA) plan.

· Implement their TA plan.

· Report on progress.

· Address issues or barriers.

Application details

DHS created a streamlined request for proposals (RFP) for this grant opportunity. Counties and tribal nations must answer five questions to demonstrate commitment and agree to an attestation. The RFP does not require a budget or workplan.

Use the following information to apply:

· Eligible: Counties, county coalitions or tribal nations that administer HCBS waiver services.

· Number of grantees: Up to eight grants.

· Funding: Approximately $2.4 million annually.

· Contract length: DHS anticipates each grant contract to be two years and may extend them up to a total of five years.

· Application: For more information and instructions to apply, refer to DHS – Lead Agency Employment First Capacity Building Grant Program.

· Deadline: 4 p.m. on July 12, 2024.

Background information

The Olmstead Subcabinet adopted the Employment First policy in 2014. During the 2020 first special session, the Minnesota Legislature added Employment First language into state law in Minnesota Session Laws 2020, First Special Session, chapter 2, article 3. In 2021, Minnesota funded a statewide technical assistance firm and grant programs to support providers to transition to competitive wages and expand employment services for people with disabilities. The 2023 Minnesota Legislature created the Lead Agency Employment First Capacity-Building Grant Program.

Previous eList announcements

DSD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD STAKEHOLDER ARCHIVE

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