Overview

The E1MN Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aligns the E1MN systems and provides employment services in a more coordinated way.

Stakeholder input opportunities

<p>Throughout the design process, the agencies will gather stakeholder input to inform the development of the processes outlined in the MOU. This includes:</p> <p><strong>Interagency coordination<br /></strong>DHS-DSD and DEED-VRS/SSB have created an interagency steering committee to implement MOU agreements. Additionally, a stakeholder advisory committee and workgroups led by agency staff are informing the development of policies needed to implement the MOU.</p> <p><strong>Employment development services<br /></strong>DHS-DSD is clarifying the two phases of employment development services (supports to <em>plan</em> employment and supports to <em>find</em> employment) and the expected outcomes, as well as creating person-centered products to be used during the planning phase.</p> <p><strong>Referral process and customer flow<br /></strong>The agencies are developing a clear referral process between programs and clear eligibility requirements. They are also aligning services to allow for smoother transitions between programs.</p> <p><strong>Provider alignment<br /></strong>DHS-DSD and DEED-VRS/SSB are aligning our shared network of employment service providers to improve access to employment services and to support smoother transitions.</p> <p><strong>Service sequencing<br /></strong>DHS-DSD and DEED-VRS/SSB are clarifying the sequence of services for those in and out of school. For those in school, DEED-VRS/SSB and schools will provide supports through job stabilization, and DHS-DSD will provide ongoing supports outside of school hours. For those out of school, DEED-VRS/SSB will be the first payer for job development, placement and stabilization services, and DHS-DSD will be the first payer for job exploration services and ongoing supports to maintain employment.</p> <p><strong>DEED-VRS/SSB placement and retention payment structure<br /></strong>DEED-VRS/SSB is considering a new payment structure that is responsive to serving individuals with more intensive levels of service and support.</p> <p>For details, see the <a rel="noopener" href="/media/hirdrm05/dhs-deed-mou.pdf" target="_blank" title="Full version">full version</a> (PDF) of the MOU.</p>

Interagency workgroups and monthly activity updates

<p>Stakeholder input is a critical element of the collaborative planning process. Two workgroups comprised of interagency state-level staff are carrying out key work to align our systems and fulfill our MOU agreements. These workgroups are focused on aligning services and transitions and aligning service provider networks. Below are some of the key accomplishments of each workgroup.</p> <p><strong>Training workgroups</strong><br />Monthly activity updates</p> <p><em>March 2021</em></p> <ul> <li>Training workgroup: The internal training workgroup finalized content and training concepts for the E1MN Core Trainings in late April/early May. The name of the trainings was changed from E1MN MOU Kick-off training to E1MN Core Training based on feedback from the E1MN Interagency Employment First Advisory Committee.</li> <li>Communication: An E1MN communication was sent on March 24, 2021. It announced the E1MN Core Training information.</li> <li>Information: An <a href="/for-professionals/work/e1mn-partnership/training-archive/" title="Initial trainings and events">E1MN training and events web page</a> was created to share information on upcoming trainings, coffee chats and other events.</li> </ul> <p><em>February 2021</em></p> <ul> <li>Training workgroup: The internal training workgroup worked on developing the content and framework for the E1MN MOU kick-off trainings in late April and early May. These trainings will be for VRS/SSB staff, Lead Agency staff, case managers, and employment service providers (both 245D and P/T contract holders). Dates have been selected and a save-the-date announcement will be sent in early March.</li> </ul> <p><em>January 2021</em></p> <ul> <li>Training workgroup: The internal training workgroup began work in January. Key areas of work: training curriculum content, planning for adult learning styles, sequencing of training, and best methods to deliver training.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Aligning services and service transitions</strong><br />Monthly activity updates</p> <p><em>January 2021</em></p> <ul> <li>Training workgroup: The internal training workgroup began work in January. Key areas of work: training curriculum content, planning for adult learning styles, sequencing of training, and best methods to deliver training.</li> </ul> <p><em>December 2020</em></p> <ul> <li>Held a kickoff meeting with the contractor who has been secured to help us plan, create, and execute statewide training for all key stakeholders on the implementation of the MOU agreements between DHS and DEED. This initial meeting began to lay the groundwork for the following training considerations: overall topic structure, audience, schedule, and training objectives.</li> </ul> <p><em>November 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Clarifying of waiver services: Began developing a strategy pivot in use of waiver services that leverages employment development services to support "employment planning." This strategy entails aligning waiver employment services to an "explore, plan, find, keep" framework.</li> <li class="Default">Transitioned staff working group: As services and transition work has evolved from design to implementation planning, we wrapped up regular meetings of the interagency staff level working group assisting with aligning services and transitions. This workgroup will continue to inform work as needed in an ad hoc fashion.</li> <li class="Default">Started training plan: Secured a contractor to assist with designing, developing, delivering, and supporting initial and ongoing training for the July 2021 implementation of MOU agreements.</li> </ul> <p><em>October 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Continued drafting process map for students: Continued developing a process for may for students, addressing supports during a work experience, during graduation from school, and as a student begins transition planning.</li> <li class="Default">Developed common referral procedures between waiver and VR services: Developed common referral process for waiver case managers when referring to VRS/SSB and for VRS/SSB counselors when referring to waiver services for ongoing supports.</li> <li class="Default">Continued work on September activities: Made progress on areas of work started in September, including engaging a contractor to continue developing online tools and exploring training needs and strategies.</li> </ul> <p><em>September 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Continued work on tools and resources for service alignment: Continued to develop a roles and responsibilities desk aid and a process map for students.</li> <li class="Default">Began exploring training needs and strategies: Started comprising a list of training needs by audience for aligning employment supports systems.</li> <li class="Default">Began developing online tools: Started designing and developing online tools to support service transitions and information sharing across a person's employment team.</li> </ul> <p><em>August 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Drafted roles and responsibilities and a process map for people out of school receiving waiver and VRS/SSB: Finished documenting the roles and responsibilities of waiver case managers, service providers and VRS/SSB staff, and created a process map of service transitions between programs.</li> <li class="Default">Drafted roles and responsibilities desk aid: Created a desk aid tool explaining roles and responsibilities of different support professionals in a person's employment path.</li> <li class="Default">Drafted templates for exploration deliverables and submitted for online development: Developed templates for the outcomes of the exploration service (including a personal profile, resume, sample application and benefits lookup) and submitted to web developers.</li> <li class="Default">Started creating process map for students: Began creating a process map for coordinating employment services between school staff, VRS/SSB and waiver services for students with disabilities.</li> </ul> <p><em>July 2020</em></p> <ul> <li>Created revised employment exploration services description: Developed a definition of the revised waiver employment exploration service.</li> <li>Drafted exploration deliverables: Developed expected deliverables from the waiver employment exploration service including personal profile, resume templates (functional, visual and chronological), sample application and benefit lookup. The benefit lookup was already created.</li> <li>Created an out of school process map: Completed a map of the process for a person who is out of school, is on a waiver and is seeking competitive integrated employment. We are now working on developing an in-school process map.</li> <li>Drafted roles and responsibilities: Started documenting the roles and responsibilities of a person who is out of school, is on a waiver and is seeking competitive integrated employment, as well as each team member.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Aligning service provider networks</strong><br />Monthly activity updates</p> <p><em>March 2021</em></p> <ul> <li>Webinar preparation: The internal provider alignment workgroup planned and finalized the content needed to share with providers on becoming a dual provider with DHS and DEED-VRS/SSB.</li> <li>Communication: An E1MN communication was sent on March 24, 2021 announcing the Benefits of Becoming Both 245D and VRS/SSB Service Provider webinar on April 8, 2021.</li> <li>Development provider outreach: Conducted outreach to currently enrolled employment development service providers to encourage dual enrollment with waiver and VRS/SSB programs.</li> </ul> <p><em>February 2021</em></p> <ul> <li>Communication of activities: Included initial communications encouraging dual enrollment in a <a rel="noopener" href="/media/evjm13qw/e1mn-memo-02242021.pdf" target="_blank" title="E1mn Memo 02242021">second E1MN memo</a> released on February 24, 2021.</li> <li>Enrollment technical assistance: Developed a strategy to provide technical assistance for currently enrolled service providers with VRS/SSB in becoming 245d licensed to provide waiver employment services.</li> <li>Outreach planning: Planned communication activities to begin in March. These activities include hosting a webinar encouraging and outlining the steps for dual enrollment and targeted outreach to current employment development service providers.</li> <li>Implementation measures: Developed draft metrics and goals to track progress in developing a larger network of dually enrolled employment service providers.</li> </ul> <p><em>January 2021</em></p> <ul> <li>Outreach planning and initial findings review: Began planning communications including targeted outreach and a public webinar to encourage dual enrollment of employment service providers. Reviewed and responded to learnings and questions raised during initial research.</li> </ul> <p><em>December 2020</em></p> <ul> <li>Validated dashboard data and began using: Reviewed dashboard data and resolved provider naming convention inconsistencies across programs. Began analyzing dashboard data to inform provider alignment efforts.</li> <li>Contractor began initial research and planning: STAR services began researching for provider alignment efforts through interviewing state agency staff and service providers. Began developing a more detailed work plan.</li> </ul> <p><em>November 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Kickoff meeting with contractor: Star Services (contractor) met with interagency provider alignment workgroup to review work plan and implementation of activities, tasks, and outcomes. Star Services began research on DHS licensing/DEED-VRS/SSB contracting requirements and started planning key stakeholder interviews.</li> </ul> <p><em>October 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Dual enrollment strategies: Began working with a contractor to help create, develop, and implement strategies that will help inform and encourage dual enrollment among providers statewide.</li> <li class="Default">Draft dashboard: Revised and refined the dashboard of geographic locations of VRS/SSB and waiver employment service providers by validating data, ensuring accuracy of provider information, and testing usability of tool.</li> </ul> <p><em>September 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Developed draft dashboard: Developed a dashboard that maps the geographic locations of VRS/SSB and waiver employment service providers across the state. This will be used to conduct a geographic analysis of service gaps.</li> </ul> <p><em>August 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Created talking points: Developed draft talking points regarding the benefits and processes to become a dually enrolled employment service provider with waiver (245D licensed) and DEED-VRS/SSB.</li> <li class="Default">Developed dual enrollment strategies: Developed potential strategies to encourage dual enrollment of existing service providers, including conducting regionally based webinars outlining benefits of dual enrollment and steps to becoming dually enrolled.</li> <li class="Default">Gathered information for geographic gaps analysis: Conducted a survey of DEED-VRS/SSB providers to identify local area offices where employment services are offered. This data is being used in conjunction with data on waiver employment service provider locations to identify geographic disparities in service availability.</li> </ul> <p><em>July 2020</em></p> <ul> <li class="Default">Created interagency staff working group: Started a service provider alignment working group comprised of DHS and DEED-VRS/SSB staff. The working group is looking at provider alignment strategies, identifying and addressing service availability gaps, developing communication strategies to encourage dual enrollment.</li> <li class="Default">Increased LUV Limit: VRS raised the maximum budget cap for Limited Use Vendors (LUV) that are registered with the Minnesota Secretary of State as of July 1, 2020. The new cap will be $100,000 per year, or $200,000 every two years with VRS with a Professional and Technical (P/T) Services Master Contract. This change gives service providers currently enrolled to provide waiver employment services a larger opportunity to "try out" providing VRS.</li> </ul>

Engage | Plan | Find | Keep framework

<p>The<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="/media/sqsbrsac/e1mn-efpk-framework.pdf" target="_blank" title="Engage | Plan | Find | Keep framework">Engage | Plan | Find | Keep framework</a><span> (PDF) shows how waiver employment services and supports through Vocational Rehabilitation Services/State Services for the Blind support people at different stages of their path to employment. The framework was developed by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Department of Human Services.</span></p>