Disability Services innovation grants

People in Minnesota who have disabilities want the same great quality of life that most people in Minnesota enjoy: to work and earn money, live in housing of their choice, choose their care providers, their friends and social activities. It is also important to maximize the capacity, strengths and unique abilities of families to best support their family members with a disability.

The Disability Services Division launched its innovation grants program in 2016 to support new and innovative ideas to achieve these outcomes effectively and efficiently. See the Innovation grants awarded webpage for a list of grantees in prior rounds.

Anticipated timeline for next round of grants:

January 2024: Innovation grants RFP process opens
January/February 2024: Responder’s conference
March 2024: RFP closes – applications are due
April/May 2024: Review of applications
May/June 2024: Negotiate contracts
July 1, 2024: Grantee anticipated start date.

Overview
Applicant resources
FAQ
Contact

In early 2022, the Minnesota Department of Human Services sought proposals to support innovative strategies to improve outcomes for people with disabilities, with priority for proposals that serve people eligible for or who receive home and community-based services.

Applications are now closed. DHS will announce the next RFP in early 2024.

The 2022 RFP included three programs:

Innovation Grant program (grants greater than $50,000 per year)
- $1,000,000 available per year
- Services include helping people with disabilities:
  - Live in integrated housing of their choice
  - Work in integrated, competitive employment
  - Access service providers of their choice through projects that help grow the capacity and strength of the direct care and support workforce
  - Access equitable and culturally and linguistically responsive services.
- Services under this section must complement and supplement what can already be paid for through other sources of funds.
Individualized Grant Program (formerly known as micro grants)
- $300,000 available per year
- We recognize that people with disabilities have ideas to achieve these outcomes in their own lives and this program is intended to:
  - Provide modest amounts of money to people with disabilities so they can accomplish their own goals and aspirations
  - Complement and supplement what can already be paid for through other sources of funds
  - Promote innovation in service design and delivery
  - Have a lasting ongoing impact for the grant recipients.
- The state seeks an organization to establish and maintain a statewide Individualized Grant Program and should include a plan for both design and implementation of the program. The program should include outreach and technical assistance for grant recipients.
Employment Provider Transition (EPT) funds
- $3,000,000 available per year
- As an Employment First state, Minnesota prioritizes innovation to better support people with disabilities in competitive, integrated employment. In order to innovate, service providers need to build strong infrastructure to support employment.
- EPT funds will support currently enrolled HCBS employment service providers in Minnesota who do not have an “issued” or “pending” 14c certificate through the U.S. Department of Labor. The funds will help to expand capacity to support people in competitive, integrated employment, and expansion of meaningful day supports.
Resources for applicants
Background information
For answers to frequently asked questions, see the Innovation grants section of the DSD grants FAQ page.
For questions about the Innovation grants, contact DHS using the Disability Services Division Grants Contact Form.