CP Conversations
VRS is pleased to invite VRS Community Partners to regular to VRS Community Partner Conversations meetings. To receive email updates regarding the Community Partners Conversations, please contact Karla.F.Eckhoff@state.mn.us.
- What is the purpose? The VRS Community Partners Conversations meetings are meant to be casual office hours for VRS Community Partners to connect directly with VRS Community Partnerships program specialists. We hope this opportunity will provide support and community building for VRS Community Partners.
- What's the structure? VRS Community Partnerships Program Specialists lead the meetings, discussion on a specific topic each month, and facilitate a discussion with open questions and answers.
- Who should attend? Any Community Partner staff are welcome to attend - from direct service to billing to supervisors. VRS sends the meeting topic ahead of each Community Partners Conversation so organizations may send staff that apply to the topic each month. Regular attendance is not required.
- When will the meetings happen? VRS Community Partners Conversations are recurring meetings on the first Wednesday of every month from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
- Meeting Registration: CP Conversations are held using Zoom. Each CP Conversation has a unique zoom link to register which will be sent in the weeks prior to each month's CP Conversation. Registration links for the year are also posted below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the CP Conversation you've registered for.
- Meeting Accommodations: If you need an accommodation for a CP Conversation, please contact Sara Sundeen, Community Partnerships Program Specialist, at sara.sundeen@state.mn.us.
- Meeting Recording and Materials: A meeting summary, a recording of the discussion topic, and any shared meeting materials will be posted after each CP Conversation on this webpage.
Upcoming CP Conversations
November 2, 2022 CP Conversation - Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
February 1, 2023 CP Conversation - Customized Employment
VRS will not hold a CP Conversation in December 2022 or January 2023.
Past CP Conversations
October 5, 2022 CP Conversation - Discussing Service Needs and Reading Authorizations
September 7, 2022 CP Conversation - Performance Based Agreements (PBAs)
August 10, 2022 CP Conversation - Travel and Transportation
July 2022 CP Conversation
- VRS did not hold a CP Conversation in July.
June 1, 2022 CP Conversation - PT Contracted Services
May 4, 2022 CP Conversation - Billing and Invoicing
April 6, 2022 CP Conversation - Navigating the VRS Community Partners Website and Resources
March 2, 2022 CP Conversation - Communication Strategies for Community Partners with VRS Teams
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"
Upcoming Training Series: 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
- Date: Thursday, December 1, 2022
- Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
- Registration: Register here - After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the VR Community Learning Sessions training you registered for.
- 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).
- 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.
- CRC: 1 CRC
Special Considerations for working with LGBTQ+ Youth and Students with Disabilities
- Date: Thursday, January 19, 2023
- Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Registration: Register here - After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the VR Community Learning Sessions training you registered for.
- 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
Supporting LGBTQ+ Individuals with Disabilities in Pursuing Work
- Date: Thursday, March 2, 2023
- Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
- Registration: Register here - After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the VR Community Learning Sessions training you registered for.
- 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
Partner Opportunities
Project Search Employment Services 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 Employment Services Provider Agency at one or both of the following two sites:
- Burnsville/M Health Fairview Project SEARCH (to be located at M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital and Ebenezer Care Center)
- Detroit Lakes/Essentia Project SEARCH program (to located at the Essentia Health St. Mary's - Detroit Lakes hospital in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota)
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.
Note: These two sites are preparing to begin in the fall of 2023. The Community Partner selected for each site will be invited to attend training and planning sessions. Student referrals won’t come until fall 2023.
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, October 21, 2022.
