VRS News

Forums

VRS is pleased to invite VRS Community Partners and VRS Staff to regular VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forums. To receive email updates regarding the Forums, please subscribe to the VRS Community Partner and VRS Stakeholder listserv.

• What is the purpose? VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forums create a consistent communication opportunity for Vocational Rehabilitation Services staff and staff from Community Partners to hear VRS leadership and Community Partnerships updates. Hearing the same information at the same time facilitates a shared point of reference for VRS staff and Community Partners.
• What's the structure? VRS leadership and VRS Community Partnership team program specialists lead the forums, with speakers pulled in from all areas of our program to address specific topics.
• Who should attend? Any and all VRS Community Partner staff and VRS Staff are encouraged to attend.
• When will the meetings happen? VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forums are recurring meetings on the first Tuesday of every month from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Forum Registration: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forums Conversations will be held using Zoom. Each forum has a unique zoom link to register which will be sent in the weeks prior to each forum. Registration links for the year are also posted below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum you registered for.
• Forum Accommodations: ASL Interpreters and Live-Closed Captioning are be provided for each VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum. If you need any other accommodation, please contact Janeen Oien at Janeen.Oien@state.mn.us.
• Forum Recording and Materials: A recording and transcript of the forum and any shared meeting materials will be posted after each VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forums on this webpage.
• Email List: To receive forum registration information and Zoom links prior to each forum, please register your mail in the VRS Community Partner and VRS Stakeholder listserv.
• For More Information: If you have any questions about any forum, please contact Janeen Oien at Janeen.Oien@state.mn.us.

Upcoming Forums

June 4, 2024: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum: 10:30 am. to 12:00 p.m. Central Time

• Registration

August 6, 2024: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum: 10:30 am. to 12:00 p.m. Central Time

• Registration

October 1, 2024: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum: 10:30 am. to 12:00 p.m. Central Time

• Registration

December 3, 2024: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum: 10:30 am. to 12:00 p.m. Central Time

• Registration

Past Forums

April 2, 2024: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video (passcode: +^1F8VUw) | Presentation | Transcript

February 6, 2024: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video (passcode: 5.=fg8pn) | Presentation | Transcript

October 3, 2023: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video (passcode: &W75mA&N) | Presentation | Transcript

June 6, 2023: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video (passcode: S2gTWW1=) | Presentation | Transcript

February 7, 2023: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video (passcode: @JyXN.54) | Presentation

December 6, 2022: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Presentation | Transcript

October 4, 2022: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Presentation | Transcript

June 7, 2022: VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Presentation | Transcript

April 5, 2022 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Transcript | Agenda | Presentation - PDF | Presentation - PPTX

February 1, 2022 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Transcript | Agenda | Presentation - PDF | Presentation - PPTX

October 5, 2021 - VRS Community Partner + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Agenda | Transcript | Presentation - PDF | Presentation - PPTX

August 3, 2021 - VRS and SSB Strategic Overview - Video | Transcript | Presentation - PDF | Presentation - PPTX

June 29, 2021 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff PBA Training - Video | Transcript | Presentation - PDF | Presentation - PPTX

June 1, 2021 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Transcript | Agenda | Presentation

May 6, 2021 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Transcript | Agenda | Presentation

February 2, 2021 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Transcript | Agenda| Presentation

November 30, 2020 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Transcript | Agenda | Presentation

August 21, 2020 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Transcript | Agenda

May 15, 2020 - VRS Community Partners + VRS Staff Forum - Video | Transcript | Agenda

CP Conversations

The Community Partnerships Team hosts regular office hours which are open to any contracted community partner. These are virtual from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 am. Here is the reoccurring zoom link.

These office hours will have updates from the Community Partnerships team and have time for questions and answers. Any contracted partner staff is welcome to attend.

Here are the scheduled dates for 2024:

• Wednesday February 7, 2024
• Wednesday March 6, 2024
• Wednesday April 3, 2024
• Wednesday May 1, 2024
• Wednesday June 5, 2024
• Wednesday August 7, 2024
• Wednesday September 4, 2024
• Wednesday October 2, 2024
• Wednesday November 6, 2024
• Wednesday December 4, 2024

If you need an accommodation or this meeting please contact Sara Sundeen, Community Partnerships Program Specialist at sara.sundeen@state.mn.us.

Past CP Conversations

November 1, 2023

October 4, 2023

• Presentation
• Recording

September 6, 2023 - Youth Team

• Summary
• Recording

August 2, 2023 - Extended Employment and Long Term Supports

• Summary
• Presentation
• Recording

June 7, 2023

• Summary
• Recording

May 3, 2023

• Summary
• Recording

March 1, 2023 - Workforce1 Provider Access

• Summary

February 1, 2023 - Customized Employment

• Summary
• Meeting Materials

November 2, 2022- Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

• Summary
• Discussion Recording

October 5, 2022 - Discussing Service Needs and Reading Authorizations

• Summary
• Discussion Recording

September 7, 2022 - Performance Based Agreements (PBAs)

• Summary
• Discussion Recording

August 10, 2022 - Travel and Transportation

• Summary
• Discussion Recording

June 1, 2022 - PT Contracted Services

• CP Conversation Summary
• Discussion Recording

May 4, 2022 - Billing and Invoicing

• CP Conversation Summary
• Discussion Recording

April 6, 2022 - Navigating the VRS Community Partners Website and Resources

• CP Conversation Summary
• General Services Resources
• Pre-ETS Resources
• Discussion Recording

March 2, 2022 - Communication Strategies for Community Partners with VRS Teams

• CP Conversation Summary
• Communication Strategies for Community Partners with VRS Teams
• Discussion Recording: There is no recording of the March 2022 discussion. The discussion portion of the CP conversations will be recorded and posted for future meetings.

VR Community Learning Connections

VRS is pleased to invite VRS Community Partners and VRS Staff to VR Community Learning Conversations training. To receive email updates regarding the VR Community Learning Conversations, please contact Karla.F.Eckhoff@state.mn.us.

• What's the purpose? The purpose of the VR Community Learning Connections training series is to provide an opportunity for VRS staff, SSB staff, and Community Partner staff to join together in shared experience to strengthen skills and grow stronger together in serving Minnesotans with disabilities. This training series also supports our Community Partners in meeting the contractual obligations to provide and train employees that are culturally informed and affirming of the lived experiences of individuals served by the contract.
• Who is Hosting? The VR Community Learning Connections training series is a collaboration between the VRS Staff Development team and the VRS Community Partnerships team.
• Who Should attend? The VR Community Learning Connections training series are open to all Vocational Rehabilitation Services staff, State Services for the Blind staff, and VRS and SSB Community Partner staff.
• When will the Trainings Happen? The VR Community Learning Connections will be held on an ad hoc basis at this time. The first three trainings are set, with more to be added as trainers are scheduled.
• Cost: The VR Community Learning Connections training series are free trainings.
• Zoom: The VR Community Learning Connections training series will take place virtually via Zoom.
• Registration: Registration is required for each session. Each training session has a unique zoom link to register. Please register early so we have a sense of attendance before the training date.
• Accommodations: Closed Captioning and ASL interpreting will be provided for all sessions. For additional accommodation requests please contact VRS.StaffDevelopment.DEED@state.mn.us at least 10 business days before each event.
• Recording: Whenever possible, VRS will post the recordings of the training to the VRS website. The first three sessions will be recorded and posted to the VRS website.
• CRC Credits: The first three sessions all offer CRC credit.
• Email List: To receive information about future VR Community Learning Connections trainings, please request to join our Community Partner email list serve by contacting Karla Eckhoff at Karla.F.Eckhoff@state.mn.us.
• Questions: If you have questions, please contact VRS.StaffDevelopment.DEED@state.mn.us or Janeen.Oien@state.mn.us"

Providing Services to LGBTQ+ Individuals With Disabilities

The first 3 sessions in our training series focus on providing services to LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities. Currently LGBTQIA+ workers earn on average 90 cents or less per 1 dollar earned by other workers. Further, 20% of queer individuals live in poverty when compared to 16% nationally of their cis-gendered and straight peers. When applying for jobs 20% of LGBTQIA+ jobseekers experience discrimination, and 46% of queer employees remain closeted at work.

Working effectively with LGBTQIA+ individuals with disabilities to find employment requires an understanding of the unique issues facing individuals in this community and strategies to find the best outcome for the individual.

We are thrilled these sessions will be presented by DJ Ralston, M.A. (They/Them/Theirs). DJ is a Senior Technical Assistance & Research Analyst at The George Washington University Center for Innovative Training in Vocational Rehabilitation (CIT-VR).

An Introduction to working with LGBTQ+ Individuals with Disabilities

• Learning Objectives:
  • Increased knowledge on the application of CRC/ACA ethics for working with LGBTQ+ persons
  • Increased knowledge and ability to utilize common language related to LGBTQ+ identity(ies)
  • Increase knowledge of how to create affirming and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ identified individuals
  • How to support LGBTQ+ people, including Transgender and Gender Expansive persons, in their pursuit of work.
• Presenter: DJ Ralston, M.A. (They/Them/Theirs), Senior Technical Assistance & Research Analyst at The George Washington University Center for Innovative Training in Vocational Rehabilitation (CIT-VR).
• CRC: 1 CRC
• Recording

Special Considerations for working with LGBTQ+ Youth and Students with Disabilities

• Learning Objectives:
  • Increased understanding of nuances associated with working with students/youth as it pertains to safety
  • Increased understanding of the role of the VR Counselor and when and where to provide support with referrals and coordination of additional supports and services
  • Increased understanding and application of how to address needs of LGBTQ+ students and youth as it pertains to working with agency partners and natural supports (i.e. school systems and families).
  • Increased knowledge of resources to support LGBTQ+ youth
• Presenter: DJ Ralston, M.A. (They/Them/Theirs), Senior Technical Assistance & Research Analyst at The George Washington University Center for Innovative Training in Vocational Rehabilitation (CIT-VR).
• CRC: 1.25 CRCs
• Recording

Supporting LGBTQ+ Individuals with Disabilities in Pursuing Work

• Learning Objectives:
  • Increased knowledge of how agencies and organizations can support LGBTQ+ identified individuals through policies and procedures
  • Increased capacity to support LGBTQ+ identified persons in their pursuit of work including how to approach potential employers.
  • Increased understanding of what to do in cases of discrimination, including resources and bystander intervention practices.
  • Increased knowledge of resources to support LGBTQ+ individuals, including the discernment of legitimate resources.
• Presenter: DJ Ralston, M.A. (They/Them/Theirs), Senior Technical Assistance & Research Analyst at The George Washington University Center for Innovative Training in Vocational Rehabilitation (CIT-VR).
• CRC: 1.25 CRCs
• Recording

Unconscious Bias

• Presenter: Karly Turner, DEED Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator
• Recording
• Presentation

Understanding and Supporting Autistic Individuals on the Job

• Recording
• Presentation

Messages

Partner Opportunities

Project SEARCH Provider Agency

DEED-VRS is requesting Letters of Interest (LOI) from VRS Community Partners with a DEED-VRS Professional and Technical (P/T) contract to become the Provider Agency at one or both of the following Project SEARCH sites.

• Children’s Minnesota – Minneapolis (located in Minneapolis)
• Sanford Worthington Medical Center (located in Worthington)

A Project SEARCH program Employment Services Provider Agency provides Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), Job Placement and Job Coaching services for students with disabilities participating in the Project SEARCH program.

• Request for Project SEARCH Letters of Interest Addendum 1
• Project SEARCH Working Agreement Template
• Recording: January 17, 2024 - Project SEARCH for Communication Partners Presentation (45 minutes)
• PowerPoint Slides: January 17, 2024 - Project SEARCH Recording
• February 2024 Project SEARCH LOI Q and A

Questions should be emailed to Alyssa Klein, VRS Youth Services Coordinator: alyssa.klein@state.mn.us.

Deadline

Letters of Interest must be emailed to Alyssa Klein, alyssa.klein@state.mn.us, by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024.

Funding

The VR program received 73.42% of federal fiscal year 2023 funding through grants from the U.S. Department of Education. The federal fiscal year 2023 grants totaled $47,671,377. The required state match for these funds is $12,849,251. The state of Minnesota appropriated $14.3 million to meet the match requirement.