From left to right, back row: Marc Majors, Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development, DEED; Lensa Idossa, Program Manager, State and Federal Programs, DEED; Nancy Omondi, Senior Director of Federal and State Adult Programs, DEED; Dr. Laura Breeher, Occupational Medicine Specialist, Mayo Clinic; and Dr. Clayton Cowl, Occupational Medicine Specialist and Pulmonologist, Mayo Clinic, seated: Julie Hocker, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor

The recent Minnesota RETAIN Summit brought together Minnesota employers, healthcare providers, workforce development professionals and state and federal agency leaders committed to supporting workers in staying at or returning to work after illness or injury. We were honored to have Assistant Secretary Julie Hocker from the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) join us to learn about Minnesota's leadership in this work. Her participation underscored the national significance of Minnesota's efforts and the importance of collaborative public-private partnerships.

The Summit's agenda reflected the program's mission: advancing early intervention, strengthening coordination across systems, and championing approaches that help Minnesotans maintain meaningful employment. Sessions explored the impact of Minnesota RETAIN, the stay-at-work/return-to-work model, how Minnesota Paid Leave helps keep injured and ill workers connected to employment and the vital role of case management in preventing long-term disability.

Launched in 2021, Minnesota RETAIN has enrolled more than 3,700 people across the state and provided more than $750,000 in support services to keep people connected to employment. Over the past five years, Minnesota RETAIN:

• Scaled from serving a small region in Southeast Minnesota to reaching Minnesotans in all 87 counties;
• Implemented innovations such as adding employment as a social determinant of health to Mayo Clinic's electronic medical records, ensuring each patient's employment is assessed and included in recovery planning
• Educated more than 470 healthcare providers on the importance of writing appropriate work restrictions; through robust continuing medical education training opportunities; and
• Expanded integration of return-to-work practices in clinical settings and strengthened employer engagement, helping healthcare providers and employers better understand how work accommodations and early communication can prevent long-term disability.

Minnesota RETAIN will build on the momentum of the Summit by strengthening partnerships with employers, healthcare providers and community organizations to help ill or injured workers remain connected to meaningful employment. We'll expand outreach efforts to ensure more Minnesotans are able to access RETAIN services, while continuing to advance safe and supportive return-to-work practices. With continued strong support from federal partners, as well as state and local stakeholders, Minnesota is helping shape the national conversation on workforce retention and return-to-work innovation.