E1MN Updates
New Employment Training for Waiver Case Managers
Waiver case managers play an essential role in a person’s employment journey. A new training, called Getting to Work: A Case Manager’s Guide to Supporting Employment, is now available to disability waiver case managers. This training helps case managers build their skills in talking about work with the people they support and connecting them to the services and supports that can help them explore, pursue, and maintain employment. It covers topics like Employment First and informed choice, collaborating with Vocational Rehabilitation Services and State Services for the Blind, and more.
All disability waiver case managers must complete this training by Aug. 1, 2024. Case managers hired after Aug. 1, 2024, must complete the training during their first six months of employment. For more information and registration instructions, see this eList announcement.
All Level 2 Trainings in Benefits Planning Toolkit Now Available
All public benefits programs in Minnesota support work. In order to support people in making informed choices about employment, it’s important to be familiar with different benefits programs, the ways that work and benefits go together, and be able to provide accurate information and dispel common myths.
The Disability Hub MN’s Benefits Planning Toolkit and Level Two: Go Deeper training now has nine online modules on the most common public benefits in Minnesota and how they support work for people with disabilities. The Level 2 training also includes an orientation to Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) and My Vault. The training is designed for professionals who support people with disabilities in making informed choices about work, such as:
- Special education teachers
- Case managers
- Vocational rehabilitation counselor
- Employment service providers
Upcoming Minnesota Events
Family Voices of Minnesota Good Life Groups for Parents
Good Life Groups are a safe space for parents (and family members who are in parent-like roles) to explore Charting the LifeCourse tools and concepts together. Please plan to attend both sessions and arrive on time.
- Date and Time: March 14th & 15th 12:00-2:00 PM via Zoom
- Click here for more information.
Culturally Responsive Approaches to Guardianship, Supported Decision Making, and Health Care Directives
This session seeks to help attendees increase their confidence in explaining the benefits of Health Care Directives to colleagues and patients from a culturally-responsive lens. Along with concepts in supported decision-making, Health Care Directives can enhance autonomy and self-determination, while avoiding court involvement. This session will provide a high-level overview of guardianship, supported decision making and health care directives, followed by an exploration of cultural impacts on patients' willingness to complete health care directives.
- Date and Time: Tuesday March 12th, 2024 12:00 PM Central
- To learn more and register, click here.
Learning Community Event: Engaging Students, Families, and Educators in the Inclusive Postsecondary Education Preparation Process
Helping students with intellectual and developmental disability prepare for inclusive education postsecondary education (IPSE) is best addressed with a team approach. Strategically equipping not only students but also their team of support, including family members and educators, with IPSE preparation resources increases the likelihood of a successful transition to college. Shayna Laing is the Community Engagement Manager for IN! Pathways to Inclusive Higher Education. She is a dynamic advocate for students with Intellectual Disabilities within higher education. With a Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Graduate Certificate in Disability Services in Post-Secondary Settings from BSU, she is passionate about establishing inclusive practices and pathways for individuals of all abilities to reach their full potential.
- Date and Time: Tuesday Mar 19, 2024 06:00 PM Central
- To learn more and register, click here.
Resources
Collaborative Assessment Guide for Transition through NTACT (National Technical Assistance Center on Transition) is now available
This tool has been updated and expanded and can be used more broadly for education and VRS! The Collaborative Assessment Guide for Transition is intended to help develop a coordinated assessment approach for transition planning and service delivery. The guide is designed to help include:
- Students
- Family members
- Educators
- Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselors
- Human services and health agency staff
Click here for more information.
Disability Hub Spotlight
My Best Life Path within My Vault
Recently launched by Disability Hub MN, the My Best Life Path in My Vault is a helpful resource to help youth build a vision for their best life, which can reinforce self-determination and provide motivation during transition planning. The My Best Life Path is directly tied to the efforts and goals of E1MN, and aligns with the MN Transition Framework, helping youth with disabilities transition from school to their best life in adulthood.
For professionals, My Vault can make your job easier by providing tools and activities to help people explore their options, set goals and plan for the future.
Success Stories
Foley Public Schools E1MN Local Team
During the E1MN Regional meetings in February, we shared a story of a local team already in place at Foley Public Schools. This success story highlights how leaders from Foley Public Schools, Vocational Rehabilitation Services and Benton county formed their partnership to support youth transition from school to life in adulthood.
For local teams already in place and as local teams are formed, we encourage others to share their success stories!
National Events and Webinars
THINK HIGHER. THINK COLLEGE. New Resources and Strategies on College
Join this webinar to gain strategies and insights from a panel composed of K-12 transition specialists, a program director from an inclusive postsecondary education program, and a vocational rehabilitation (VR) program director. Dan Habib will moderate this panel of experts and share and discuss the new, free “Think Higher. Think College.” campaign video and resources.
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024, 2:00 PM ETD
Click here to learn more and register.
ADA National Network: Is an Accommodation Forever?
Much focus is given to exploring and implementing reasonable accommodations in the workplace, but it is equally important to continue to monitor accommodations to insure they remain effective over time. This session will explore best practices for the employment service professional to consider in their work with employers and supported employees when monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of workplace accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Date: Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, 1:00 PM EDT - 2:00 PM EDT
What is the E1MN Newsletter?
E1MN is Minnesota's state agency partnership to advance Employment First outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities. The state agency partnership evolved from Minnesota's Employment First policy adopted by the Olmstead sub-cabinet in 2014.
The E1MN Newsletter is a way to communicate important information to professionals (school, VRS/SSB, county, provider staff) who support employment outcomes for youth and adults with disabilities.