At the February, 2025 conference of the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), the Employer Reasonable Accommodation Fund (ERAF) was honored with the William J. Harris Equal Opportunity Award. This award honors a state or partnership for providing an innovative workforce-related program, project, or initiative which results in significant contributions towards the achievement of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. Award recipient Ray McCoy, ERAF Program Coordinator states, "It has been an honor and privilege to accept this award. Ever since taking this job, I knew this was going to be an innovative and groundbreaking program that would change the game by allowing people with all abilities the chance to thrive professionally."

Minnesota was the first state in the nation to develop a unique reasonable accommodation reimbursement fund. Since its inception in 2023, the ERAF program has approved 148 applications, reimbursing employers just under $900,000 and removing financial barriers to support these hiring and retention practices. Employers have expressed that the ERAF has helped retain valued employees and fostered workplace cultures where individuals feel supported. "Working with the employees receiving the accommodations has been the most impactful for me. Hearing their individual stories tells me how important our work is in promoting ERAF across Minnesota," says Morgan Barrett, ERAF Account Technician.

One recipient of a reimbursement is Slow Road Photo in Little Canada. According to Slow Road Co-owner David Morrow, "The ERAF program allowed our business to be much more proactive in the way we made sure our work environment was inclusive of all individuals.  This program was an incredible benefit to our team and allowed us to serve the needs of anyone working for our company without having to think twice about the costs associated.  We are so grateful!"