Employment First Legislation Updates

Although the phase out for subminimum wages was not approved, there were still many wins for the Employment First movement within Minnesota! Here are the wins that Employment First has gained this legislative session:

• Statewide Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center – This will allow the work that ICI MN has been doing to be able to offer technical assistance and expertise to organizations to shift their business models to support people to achieve competitive integrated employment.
• County Employment First Capacity Building Grants – Expand county level capacity to support people with disabilities to explore, and maintain competitive, integrated employment options.
• Case Management Training – Ongoing education in informed choice, employment planning.  By 8/1/24 all case managers must complete an employment support training course.
• Informed Choice in Employment Policy – Each individual will be offered benefits planning assistance to understand work incentive programs and the impact of work on their benefits.
• Reporting – Data for those that are being paid subminimum wages must be reported for tracking employment and community life engagement outcomes
• Interagency Employment Supports Alignment Study – The study will evaluate rates, enrollment and eligibility processes for employment support services.
• Monitoring Employment Outcomes – By 1/15/2025, a plan for tracking employment outcomes must be provided to track supports received and outcomes across programs.