About the Grant

The Background

Each year, vocational rehabilitation agencies return unspent funds to RSA. RSA may use these funds to award grants for innovative opportunities. The application process is highly competitive, with over 200 applicants in 2024. Read SSB's DIF Grant Application.

The funds SSB received will be used in a 5-year timeframe to implement Evolve Employment. The 5-year period begins October 1, 2024, and runs through September 9, 2029.

The Issue

There is an ongoing crisis of employment for people who are blind, low vision, and DeafBlind (BLVDB). This group continues to experience high unemployment and underemployment, as well as low labor force participation.

The Plan

Evolve Employment creates a dual-customer model to address the unique employment challenges faced by BLVDB individuals and their current and potential employers.

We will assist Evolve Employment customers with:

• Benefits Planning
• Adapted Training
• Worked-Based Learning
• Advanced Technology Training

We will collaborate with businesses on:

• Digital Accessibility Support
• Accommodation Implementation
• Career Retention and Advancement

Video

Watch a comprehensive overview video of SSB's Evolve Employment plan. Passcode: iJm2u#E.

Evolve Employment is designed to fit within Minnesota's "Drive for 5" initiative. Drive for 5 targets high-growth, in-demand, good paying jobs, and makes sure that Minnesotans who are most vulnerable have equal opportunities to acquire those jobs.

Target Population for Evolve Employment

• Individuals requiring support to retain employment
• Individuals who acquire vision loss during their working years
• New Americans
• Individuals detached from the workforce for more than 27 weeks

Evolve Employment Important Notes

• Focused on working aged adults, not students
• Candidates do not have to meet the same eligibility criteria as SSB's VR program (Workforce Development)
• Goal is to reach and serve approximately 800 individuals and 500 businesses

An introduction to the three Evolve Employment goals and the objectives for each goal.

Goal 1: Implement a Rapid Engagement Coordinated Team Approach.

• Objective 1. Offer a three-tiered portfolio of career services that includes universal, targeted, and intensive approaches for at-risk BLVDB individuals and businesses.
• Objective 2. Create a Coordinated Team Approach to support individuals with acquired BLVDB in retaining and obtaining employment as part of Tier 2 and 3 services.
• Objective 3. Enhance community partner and interagency collaboration for serving at-risk BLVDB individuals through specialized training and capacity and skill building.

Goal 2: Build a Sector-Based Approach for Advanced Technology Careers.

• Objective 1. Establish and strengthen sector partnerships with businesses and organizations in the Customer Service and Technology (CST) sector.
• Objective 2. Develop and implement cutting-edge technology tools and training to support BLVDB individuals in obtaining careers in the CST sectors.
• Objective 3. Through a collaborative effort with partners and business, create a customized CST career readiness training program that prepares at-risk BLVDB individuals to enter this sector.

Goal 3: Pilot an Enhanced Progress Employment (EPE) Model in Two Communities (Rochester and Twin Cities)

• Objective 1. Support staff in utilizing an EPE Model to create meaningful career opportunities and pathways that align with the Good Jobs principles.
• Objective 2. Create a network of businesses, community-based organizations, and subject matter experts that support the CIE outcomes of New Americans participating in EPE.
• Objective 3. Implement the EPE Model with New Americans in two pilot locations.

Three tiers of service outlined with the targeted recipients, services, and expected benefits for each tier.

Tier 1: Universal Service

Targeted Recipients

• Employers not aware of SSB services
• Employers in need of light touch guidance and support
• At-risk BLVDB individuals not connected to SSB
• Community and interagency partners not connected to SSB
• Non-VR participants

Tactics and Services

• Information and referral
• Outreach and engagement with at-risk individuals and businesses
• Customer Service and Technology Sector partnership development
• Training and professional development offerings
• One to two contacts
• Quick systems and environment accessibility scans

Expected Benefits and Outcomes

• Increased knowledge of SSB services
• Potential future customers
• New partnerships

Tier 2: Target Services

Targeted Recipients

• Employers in need of retention services and support
• Employees with acquired vision loss
• Community and interagency partners that provide short-term interventions
• Non-VR participants

Tactics and Services

• CTA for rapid engagement and retention
• Tailored retention services to employees and employers
• Workplace solutions for integration of technology and accessibility
• Peer mentorship and support
• Short-term interventions and supports, including job coaching and benefits planning
• Referral for more intensive services when needed

Expected Benefits and Outcomes

• Job retention
• Increased business relationships
• Diversion from SSA benefits

Tier 3: Intensive Services

Targeted Recipients

• Employees with acquired vision loss who need long-term services to either retain employment or find new employment
• Long-term unemployed
• New Americans
• Community and interagency partners that provide intensive services
• VR participants

Tactics and Services

• CTA at application
• Rapid pacing to Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
• Enhanced progressive employment (Minneapolis & Rochester)
• Advanced technology training and implementation
• Customer Service and Technology Sector training and career pathway support
• Benefits planning

Expected Benefits and Outcomes

• Increased applications to SSB
• Increase Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) outcomes overall
• Increase CIE outcomes in the Customer Service and Technology sector
• Closure above SGA earnings
• Pre- and post-project outcomes
• Program income

SSB's projected goals, datapoints, and forecasts for the Evolve Employment program.

Goal 1: Implement a Rapid Engagement Coordinated Team Approach

• 500 blind, low vision, DeafBlind (BLVDB) project participants receive Tier 1 Universal services.
• 200 BLVDB project participants receive Tier 2 Targeted services; of the project participants receiving Tier 2 services, 65% of BLVDB workers retain or advance in their pre-participation employment setting.
• 100 BLVDB project participants receive Tier 3 Intensive services; of the project participants receiving Tier 3 services, 55% achieved a competitive integrated employment (CIE) outcome that meets the Good Jobs principles. 500 business connections and contacts made.
• 100% of key personnel receive training on Rapid Engagement Coordinated Team Approach (RCTA).
• 150 individuals receive services through an RCTA; of the individuals receiving an RCTA, 65% achieve a CIE Outcome that meets the Good Jobs Principles. For employed individuals receiving retention services through an RCTA, a 15% increase in wages post-participation compared to pre-participation.
• 50 community partners complete the training program; 85% of community partners rate the training as high quality, relevant, and useful to their work. Increase the number of participants in the VR program who are also working with other Workforce System partners by 15% (co-enrollments). Increase the number of community partners providing career services by 20%.

Goal 2: Build a Sector-Based Approach for Advanced Technology Careers

• 50 Customer Service and Technology (CST) sector businesses contacted.
• 5 CST events and trainings conducted.
• 150 project participants receive AT tools and training. 75% of project participants indicate the tools and training helped obtain or retain CIE.
• 50 BLVDB individuals obtain CIE in the CST sector. 65% of individuals who obtained CIE get a job that meets the Good Jobs principles.

Goal 3: Pilot an Enhanced Progress Employment Model in Two Communities

• 100% of key personnel receive training on Enhanced Progress Employment (EPE).
• 25 New American-specific business relationships established.
• 5 new agreements with New American community-based organizations.
• 40 New Americans have EPE on their IPE. At least 50% obtain CIE through EPE. 65% of individuals who obtained CIE get a job that meets the Good Jobs principles.